Wheaton, Ill. - Wheaton College head men's soccer coach Dr. Michael Giuliano has announced the first wave of his team's 2010 recruiting class. Eight young men have decided to attend Wheaton College in the beginning on the Fall of 2010 with plans of playing for the Thunder men's soccer team.

Head coach Mike Giuliano is excited about this group of newcomers. “We've had some great players join us in the past few years, but as a group, this class is off the charts,” notes the Thunder mentor who recently completed his third season at Wheaton. “Not many programs in any division are getting four USSF Academy starters, and the non Academy players are just as good. They are great young men and great young players. And we still aren't done- we are hoping that three or four other national caliber players may be joining us before the recruiting season is over,” he concludes.

The newcomers who have indicated plans to join the Thunder are:

AARON BROWN
Aaron is from Seymour, Indiana, where he played for the FC Pride Soccer Club. Aaron's brother, Damon, played four years for Wheaton and is graduating this year with a degree in Engineering. “Aaron made a huge impression the first time I saw him play,” Coach Giuliano notes. “He usually plays defender or midfield, but I saw him play forward at Disney Cup against one of the top teams in the Nation, and they couldn't cover him. I knew right then we had to keep the Brown family dynasty continuing at Wheaton!”

JOSH CLARK
Josh is from Palatine, Illinois, where he has played for the Chicago Fire USSF Academy team and the Chicago Fire Premiere team. He also led Palatine High School to a school-record 22-1-2 record and a fourth place finish in the state. He was named All-Area and All-Sectional for his efforts. Prior to his arrival on the Fire Academy team, Josh played for the Illinois ODP State squad for three years. Giuliano mentions, “Josh could have gone almost anywhere, but he believes in what Wheaton and Wheaton soccer are all about. We are privileged he will be on the Thunder. He played a starting defender role on his Academy team, but I love his offensive skills, so we are going to take a strong look at him at midfielder.”

MASON DULING
Mason is from Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he played for Michigan Football Club and for Washtenaw Christian Academy. In high school he set the school's all-time career scoring record with 92 goals. The Thunder head coach states of him, “Mason came to our camp last summer as well as the FCA Camp I directed in Iowa. At both camps, he was the offensive force that no one could stop. In fact, in the camp scrimmage, I had to tell the opposing team at halftime that the only chance they had was to find some way to stop Mason. Not surprisingly, they weren't successful at doing so!”

JORDAN GOLZ
Jordan is from Oak Park, Illinois, where he played for the Oak Park-River Forest Football Club who finished third in the Illinois State Cup this year. He was also the MVP of OPRF High School squad in 2009, where he led the team in scoring with 20 goals and 15 assists. “Jordan plays a beautiful style of soccer. He protects the ball as well as any midfielder I've seen. He has a great shot and excellent ball skills. He can play anywhere on the pitch. We might even consider a Golz-Golz front line, since his brother Drew transferred to Wheaton last year from the Air Force Academy,” comments Giuliano.

MATT HUSSEY
Matt comes to Wheaton from Lake Zurich, Illinois, where he played for the state runner-up Lake Zurich High School squad. He also starts for the Sockers FC Chicago USSF Academy squad, and prior to joining the Academy, he was a two year member of the Illinois ODP State team. Coach Giuliano notes, “Matt is a walking billboard for how I want the game to be played. He is fast, physical and so adept at making the simple play from the back of the pitch. I saw him against the USSF Academy All-Star team, and while facing a team full of future Division I stars, he was a wall in the back. He will make an immediate contribution to our pursuit of excellence on the defensive side of the game.”

JORDAN LESSARD
Jordie is from High Point, North Carolina, where he was a first team All-State performer at Wesleyan Academy. He is also a starting midfielder on the GYS USSF Academy squad, who last season was one of the top clubs in the U16 National Academy. Coach Giuliano recalls, “Jordan once had a few of his Academy teammates question his choice to go to Wheaton instead of a top Division I program. Jordan told them what he once told me, 'while my soccer is very important to me, it doesn't define who I am. And when you know who I am, Wheaton is a perfect fit for me.' And as he went on to say, 'and the soccer at Wheaton is pretty amazing too!' Jordan can play all the midfield positions given his great field vision. He is a true team leader in every sense of the word.”

CHAD MUSGRAVES
Chad comes to Wheaton from Yucaipa, California, where he currently leads the league in scoring at Yucaipa High School with 18 goals in 13 games. This past season he was also a member of the Arsenal FC USSF Academy team. “Chad loves to score, and we will invite him to do just that. He is lightning fast and he is special with the ball. Chad had some West Coast Division I programs as well as some top NAIA programs pursuing him, so we are thrilled that he's going to play for the Thunder. I just cannot wait to see what he does from day one of his college career,” mentions Giuliano.

KEVIN SKINKER
Kevin joins the Thunder from Lansing, Michigan, where he led his Holt High School team to a two year total of 48 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie. In both his junior and senior year, he was named defensive MVP of the team. Kevin is also a member of the TNT Dynamite Soccer Club, as well as a starting defender on the Michigan ODP State team. “I saw Kevin when he was playing for the state team. He is a calm, composed defender who is rarely beaten by his opponent. I like his offensive potential as well, so although he probably will play in the back for us, we will be sure to push him up the pitch on a regular basis.”

Giuliano states about this class, “I know that every coach talks about what great character their recruits have, but I wish I could adequately explain what a great group of young men this class is. I have no doubt that they will do great things on the pitch in their four years, but more importantly, I have no doubt they will change the world for their faith as well. I am just so honored that they plan to give us four years to spend together!”