Koski Adds Seven Newcomers with 2018 Recruiting Class
3/19/2018 11:20:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head coach Dean Koski announced the addition of seven student-athletes who will join the men's soccer program in the fall to make up the Class of 2022. The incoming class features high school All-Americans, state champions and players with highly decorated club resumes. This group, which features five individuals from Pennsylvania, one from Virginia and one from Ghana, is made of up players from all four position groups.
Patrick Adams – Allentown, Pa. – Lehigh Valley United – MF
Patrick played with the Region 1 ODP team and became an ODP National Champion with Eastern Pennsylvania. He also competed in the USYSA National League with Lehigh Valley United. Additionally, Patrick played at Salisbury High School for three years and finished his high school career at the Hill School.
Coach Koski on Patrick – "Patrick is a technical, clever and versatile player. He can play different positions on the field and exhibits a high soccer IQ. Patrick has the ability to control the tempo of games, effectively link the defense to attack and contribute with goals and assists. Patrick will join us from LVU, along with his teammate Dawson Berger, and will be a great addition to our already very strong midfield group."
Dawson Berger – Allentown, Pa. – Lehigh Valley United – DEF/MF
Dawson served as Captain for Parkland High School and led the team to District 11 Championship matches in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, his team became District 11 Champions and PIAA 4A quarterfinalists. He was named a 2017 EPC All-Star and also played with Lehigh Valley United in the USYSA National League.
Coach Koski on Dawson – "Dawson is another local player from LVU, who will be a great addition to our team and program. He is a tough, gritty and athletic defender who can play anywhere along the backline. Dawson is extremely competitive and driven. He will bring an exceptional work ethic and mentality to our program. Watching Dawson mature as a player locally over the years has provided us with a greater insight to his potential."
Nick Jennings – Devon, Pa. – FC Montco Die Mannschaft – MF
At Conestoga High School, Nick was a First Team All-Central League selection as a junior and senior. He also received All-State and All-American honors in 2016. Additionally, Nick helped Conestoga capture back-to-back PIAA State Championships in 2016 and 2017. This past December, Nick was one of only 38 high school players in the country to be selected to play in the High School All-American Game. He will join his Conestoga High School teammates Blaise Milanek and Will Smith.
Coach Koski on Nick – "Nick brings all of the attributes to be successful in the college game. He is technical, smart and strong in the tackle, as well as a very good passer out of the midfield. Nick's ability to be a ball winner and his confidence with the ball make him a well-rounded and versatile player. He is a consistent winner, having won multiple state championships with his high school and playing in the USYSA with his club team FC Montco Die Mannschaft. Nick will be an exceptional addition to our team and we are very excited to have him as a part of the program."
Josh Luchini – Wexford, Pa. – Steel Town Magic – FWD
In 2017, Josh earned All-Region honors as well as being voted a United Soccer Coaches Fall High School All-American. He posted 36 goals and 17 assists in his senior season at North Allegheny High School, earning himself the honor of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year. This past December, along with Nick Jennings, Josh was one of only 38 high school players in the country to be selected to play in the High School All-American Game and scored his team's lone goal in the game.
Coach Koski on Josh – "Josh is a natural goal scorer and gifted attacking player. He has the pace to stretch games and consistently puts himself in goal-scoring positions. He possesses confidence and composure around the goal, as evidence of his consistent goal scoring in the USYSA National League and on his high school team. Josh has the ability to play as a striker or winger and will contribute goals from either position. We know the Luchini family very well and could not be more excited to welcome Josh to the program. Josh will hopefully surpass the success of his brother and former Patriot League Champion and Tournament MVP, Jamie Luchini."
Justin Scharf – Newtown, Pa. – Patriot FC – DEF
Justin was a 2017 First Team All-Suburban One League selection at Council Rock North High School. In 2017, Justin won the EPYSA State Cup Championship with Patriot FC and also competed in the USYSA Eastern Regional League and Regional Championships.
Coach Koski on Justin – "Justin is a very good outside back and will be a great addition to the team. He is comfortable playing either the left or right side in the back. Justin blends a tough and competitive defensive mentality along with excellent technical ability and confidence with the ball. His individual defending is exceptional and distinguished Justin as one of the best outside backs we evaluated. We are very excited to have him join our program."
Noah Sutherland – Richmond, Va. – FC Richmond – GK
At James River High School, Noah was named to the 2017 All-Metro Team and Second Team All-State. He was also Identified on TopDrawerSoccer.com's Spring 2017 High School All-America Watch List.
Coach Koski on Noah – "Noah is a highly talented goalkeeper who we believe has flown a bit under the recruiting radar and we feel very fortunate to have him. We first identified Noah through our ID Clinics, as he excelled throughout the day with training and in matches. He also led his high school team to a regional championship and has been excellent in goal throughout his high school and club career. He has size, athleticism, a strong technical base, and has a good presence on the field. Noah will be a great addition to our goalkeeping core and program."
Michael Tahiru – Accra, Ghana – Seacoast United – FWD/MF
As a senior in 2017, Michael posted 42 goals and 20 assists for Hebron Academy. His honors include a selection to the 2017 USA Today ALL-USA Preseason Boys Soccer Team, the 2017 New England Soccer Journal Player of the Year and a MaxPreps/United Soccer Coaches High School Player of the Week nomination. He led his high school team to back-to-back state championships. Additionally, at the club level, Michael won the 2017 US Club Soccer National Premier Cup with Seacoast United.
Coach Koski on Michael – "Michael is an exceptional young man and player. We are lucky to have him as a part of our program. Michael is a dynamic and talented attacking player. He is capable of scoring goals and generating assists, and he has the ability to play many different positions in the attack. Michael is an incredibly mature and humble person of the highest character who will contribute immediately to our program and the University both on and off the field. As a first-generation Ghanaian, we are incredibly excited to welcome Michael to Lehigh."
Patrick Adams – Allentown, Pa. – Lehigh Valley United – MF
Patrick played with the Region 1 ODP team and became an ODP National Champion with Eastern Pennsylvania. He also competed in the USYSA National League with Lehigh Valley United. Additionally, Patrick played at Salisbury High School for three years and finished his high school career at the Hill School.
Coach Koski on Patrick – "Patrick is a technical, clever and versatile player. He can play different positions on the field and exhibits a high soccer IQ. Patrick has the ability to control the tempo of games, effectively link the defense to attack and contribute with goals and assists. Patrick will join us from LVU, along with his teammate Dawson Berger, and will be a great addition to our already very strong midfield group."
Dawson Berger – Allentown, Pa. – Lehigh Valley United – DEF/MF
Dawson served as Captain for Parkland High School and led the team to District 11 Championship matches in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, his team became District 11 Champions and PIAA 4A quarterfinalists. He was named a 2017 EPC All-Star and also played with Lehigh Valley United in the USYSA National League.
Coach Koski on Dawson – "Dawson is another local player from LVU, who will be a great addition to our team and program. He is a tough, gritty and athletic defender who can play anywhere along the backline. Dawson is extremely competitive and driven. He will bring an exceptional work ethic and mentality to our program. Watching Dawson mature as a player locally over the years has provided us with a greater insight to his potential."
Nick Jennings – Devon, Pa. – FC Montco Die Mannschaft – MF
At Conestoga High School, Nick was a First Team All-Central League selection as a junior and senior. He also received All-State and All-American honors in 2016. Additionally, Nick helped Conestoga capture back-to-back PIAA State Championships in 2016 and 2017. This past December, Nick was one of only 38 high school players in the country to be selected to play in the High School All-American Game. He will join his Conestoga High School teammates Blaise Milanek and Will Smith.
Coach Koski on Nick – "Nick brings all of the attributes to be successful in the college game. He is technical, smart and strong in the tackle, as well as a very good passer out of the midfield. Nick's ability to be a ball winner and his confidence with the ball make him a well-rounded and versatile player. He is a consistent winner, having won multiple state championships with his high school and playing in the USYSA with his club team FC Montco Die Mannschaft. Nick will be an exceptional addition to our team and we are very excited to have him as a part of the program."
Josh Luchini – Wexford, Pa. – Steel Town Magic – FWD
In 2017, Josh earned All-Region honors as well as being voted a United Soccer Coaches Fall High School All-American. He posted 36 goals and 17 assists in his senior season at North Allegheny High School, earning himself the honor of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year. This past December, along with Nick Jennings, Josh was one of only 38 high school players in the country to be selected to play in the High School All-American Game and scored his team's lone goal in the game.
Coach Koski on Josh – "Josh is a natural goal scorer and gifted attacking player. He has the pace to stretch games and consistently puts himself in goal-scoring positions. He possesses confidence and composure around the goal, as evidence of his consistent goal scoring in the USYSA National League and on his high school team. Josh has the ability to play as a striker or winger and will contribute goals from either position. We know the Luchini family very well and could not be more excited to welcome Josh to the program. Josh will hopefully surpass the success of his brother and former Patriot League Champion and Tournament MVP, Jamie Luchini."
Justin Scharf – Newtown, Pa. – Patriot FC – DEF
Justin was a 2017 First Team All-Suburban One League selection at Council Rock North High School. In 2017, Justin won the EPYSA State Cup Championship with Patriot FC and also competed in the USYSA Eastern Regional League and Regional Championships.
Coach Koski on Justin – "Justin is a very good outside back and will be a great addition to the team. He is comfortable playing either the left or right side in the back. Justin blends a tough and competitive defensive mentality along with excellent technical ability and confidence with the ball. His individual defending is exceptional and distinguished Justin as one of the best outside backs we evaluated. We are very excited to have him join our program."
Noah Sutherland – Richmond, Va. – FC Richmond – GK
At James River High School, Noah was named to the 2017 All-Metro Team and Second Team All-State. He was also Identified on TopDrawerSoccer.com's Spring 2017 High School All-America Watch List.
Coach Koski on Noah – "Noah is a highly talented goalkeeper who we believe has flown a bit under the recruiting radar and we feel very fortunate to have him. We first identified Noah through our ID Clinics, as he excelled throughout the day with training and in matches. He also led his high school team to a regional championship and has been excellent in goal throughout his high school and club career. He has size, athleticism, a strong technical base, and has a good presence on the field. Noah will be a great addition to our goalkeeping core and program."
Michael Tahiru – Accra, Ghana – Seacoast United – FWD/MF
As a senior in 2017, Michael posted 42 goals and 20 assists for Hebron Academy. His honors include a selection to the 2017 USA Today ALL-USA Preseason Boys Soccer Team, the 2017 New England Soccer Journal Player of the Year and a MaxPreps/United Soccer Coaches High School Player of the Week nomination. He led his high school team to back-to-back state championships. Additionally, at the club level, Michael won the 2017 US Club Soccer National Premier Cup with Seacoast United.
Coach Koski on Michael – "Michael is an exceptional young man and player. We are lucky to have him as a part of our program. Michael is a dynamic and talented attacking player. He is capable of scoring goals and generating assists, and he has the ability to play many different positions in the attack. Michael is an incredibly mature and humble person of the highest character who will contribute immediately to our program and the University both on and off the field. As a first-generation Ghanaian, we are incredibly excited to welcome Michael to Lehigh."
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