DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Men's Soccer Welcomes Five Talented Recruits to Lincoln Park
5/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO -- Five talented soccer players have been added to the DePaul men's program and will fortify the Blue Demons' run to the 2015 BIG EAST Championship.
The recruiting class of 2015 features three defenders, one forward and one goalkeeper who were brought to Lincoln Park by coach Craig Blazer and assistant coaches Craig Reynolds and Anthony Szymel.
"On behalf of Coach Reynolds and Szymel, our players and administration we would like to officially welcome our new student-athletes and their families to the DePaul soccer program, athletic department and entire university," said DePaul soccer coach Craig Blazer.
"We have identified an outstanding group of local, regional and international players that have the ability and competitive nature to influence our success this fall.
"The addition of these young men will help to further improve our team which has made significant strides during the winter and spring. We feel these five incoming players identify with DePaul's Vincentian mission and will make the transition to be successful in the BIG EAST, one of the top men's soccer conferences in the country."
In the final NSCAA/Continental Tire national rankings, four BIG EAST teams (No. 3 Providence, No. 5 Georgetown, No. 7 Creighton, No. 13 Xavier) were among the 13 best in the country.
Here is a rundown on the men's soccer recruiting class of 2015.
John Freitag, Defender, Arlington Heights, Ill.
Hersey High School
Starred on the Huskies' varsity team as a freshman before playing U.S. Academy soccer exclusively with Sockers FC. He was listed in StudentSportsSoccer.com's Top 55 prospects for the class of 2015. He was an integral component of the U-16 academy team that was listed among the Top 10 defenses and won a U.S. Club NPL national championship in 2012. Freitag was a four-year honor roll student and graduated Hersey with a 4.5 grade-point average. He was also captain of his U-18 Academy team.
Coach Blazer: "John has earned the reputation as one of the premier defenders in Chicago. He will again be reunited with former Sockers FC players Caleb Pothast and Simon Megally. John has a very hard-working, blue collar attitude along with a high soccer IQ and will add defensive depth to our back line and midfield."
Jake Scheper, Forward, Cincinnati, Ohio
Shattuck St. Mary's Academy
This dangerous attacking threat was voted onto the "Best 11" at the USYS National Championship in 2013. The honor roll student-athlete was a six-time USYS State Cup champion and also a National League and Region II champion in 2013. He was part of the USYS ODP Region II Pool Team in 2009 and 2013.
Coach Blazer: "Jake is a real student of the game, very athletic and skillful attacking player who leads his team with nine goals for Shattuck St. Mary's Academy. He will also join fellow Shattuck St. Mary's Academy alumni Kevin Beyer along with former Cincinnati United Premier teammate Austin Harrell here at DePaul."
Anton Sell, Defender, Hamburg, Germany
Gymnasium Eppendorf High School
Another stalwart defender to strengthen the back line, Sell joins fellow German players Hans Wustling and Philipp Koenigstein in Lincoln Park while German defender Koray Yesilli is graduating with a Masters' degree. Sell was a standout for the VfB Lübeck club team in Germany. He previously starred on the Niendorfer TSV club team that won the Hamburg League title in 2012 and the Hamburg Cup in 2014.
Coach Blazer: "Anton is a talented defensive player with a high soccer IQ and has a wealth of international experience. His transition to the United States, DePaul University along with competing in the BIG E EAST will be aided by teammates Hans and Philipp."
Francesco Sinopoli, Defender, Vaughan, Ontario
Canada St Joan of Arc C.H.S.
This honor roll student-athlete was a standout with Winstars Soccer Academy in Ontario while leading the program to the MLS Cup finals in 2012 and championships in the National Cup, Ontario Cup and Nike Cup Challenge in 2011. Sinopoli is currently captain of the Woodbridge Soccer Club in Ontario.
Coach Blazer: "Francesco has a very defensive nature and has a quality skill set for heading, tackling and passing. His leadership qualities on and off the field really stood out during the recruiting process."
Spencer Ward, Goalkeeper, Rochester Hills, Mich.
Rochester Adams High School
Ward was rated among the top 25 prospects in Michigan's class of 2015 by StudentSportsSoccer.com. He had two shutouts in three games at the Academy National Championship Week event. As a sophomore with the Crew Soccer Academy Wolves, he led a defense that was ranked No. 2 in the country by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Ward led the Wolves to third place at nationals and was All-State honorable mention as a freshman in his lone high school soccer season.
Coach Blazer: "Spencer is just starting to hit his stride as a young goalkeeper as he competes with the Vardar Academy. He is hard working, communicates well, is good with the ball at his feet and does well at finding ways to prevent goals while also being a good shot-stopper."
