WEST CHESTER, Pa.- Head Coach
Michael Benn announced today the next group of student-athletes who will come in and help the West Chester men's soccer program's returning student-athletes chase a PSAC Championship and berth in the NCAA Tournament.
There are seven incoming freshmen in this year's recruiting class. Six students hail from Pennsylvania, and one comes north from Delaware. The class is made up of 1 forward, 3 midfielders, 2 defenders, and 1 goalkeeper.
"Our coaching staff is very excited to add this group of players to our program. We always strive to find young men with character, personality and talent. This group is no exception," began Benn. "They have represented their high schools and clubs well, and I have no doubt they will hold up the standards of being a part of our program. If they come in healthy and fit, we expect them to compete for playing time. By adding these seven student-athletes to our roster, we are very excited about the depth and competition it creates."
Here are the newest Golden Rams, in alphabetical order:
Jaeden Amato 6'0" Defender Allentown, PA Emmaus HS
Commanding central defender that has the ability to challenge for playing time immediately…was a team captain his junior and senior seasons at Emmaus HS for coach John Cari… was named the East Penn Conference
Morning Call Player of the Year in 2020…one of seven defenders named to the PA Soccer Coaches All-State team in 2021…led his team to EPC titles in 2019 and 2020…won District championships in 2019, 2020, and 2021…finished his career with 9 goals……plays club soccer for Lehigh Valley United and coached by Mike Gorni…his club team has qualified for the USYS National Championships in July of 2022.
Dillon Barbieri 6'0" Defender Souderton, PA Souderton Area HS
Versatile, athletic player who can play centrally or on the flank…played for coach Matt Benner at Souderton Area HS…Named team captain as a senior…Named to All-League team as a junior and senior…plays his club soccer for PA Dominion 04 and coach Colin Koch…earned a USYS National Championship Best Eleven Award in 2019 and 2021…club team has won four EPYSA State Championships, two Region 1 Club Championships and has finished 2
nd and 3
rd at the USYS National Championships in his career.
Jason Goldfeder 5'8" Midfielder Mechanicsburg, PA Cedar Cliff HS
Dynamic midfielder who can play an important attacking role…was a two-time captain at Cedar Cliff HS for coach Noah Whelan…named Mid-Penn Conference 1
st Team and
PennLive 1
st Team in 2020 and 2021…named to PA Soccer Coaches All-State team in 2020…had 21 goals and 15 assists in final 2 HS seasons…plays his club soccer for Capital Area Soccer Association 03 and coach Gino DiFlorio…team won the 2019 EPYSA State Cup Championship and were finalists in 2018, 2020, and 2021.
Reese Peddrick 5'8" Midfielder Newark, DE Salesianum School
Workhorse midfielder who can play on the flank or centrally…captain in senior season for coach Scott Mosier at the Salesianum School…finished senior season with 16 assists and a goal…named DHSSCA All-State as a junior and senior…named to All-Conference team three times…won State Championships in 2018, 2019, and 2021…plays club soccer for Penn Fusion Soccer Academy and coach Jamie Scott.
Aleksander "AJ" Peev 6'2" Forward Chalfont, PA Central Bucks South HS
Imposing forward who is a dangerous threat in the box…named captain for coach Joe Coscia at Central Bucks South HS…was a 4 year varsity starter who tallied 27 goals and 21 assists…named to Suburban 1 All-League team…for club soccer has been named to the ECNL Northeast All Conference Team and the National League P.R.O. Orlando Best 11 team…plays club soccer for Lehigh Valley United and coach Mike Gorni… his club team has qualified for the USYS National Championships in July of 2022.
Owen Slack 5'9" Midfielder Collegeville, PA Perkiomen Valley HS
Technical and clever central midfielder with a knack for scoring goals…was a team captain in his senior year for coach Zachary Allen at Perkiomen Valley HS…was named to the PAC All-League team and the
Mercury All-Area team in both 2020 and 2021…finished his senior season with 16 goals and 14 assists…plays club soccer for Penn Fusion Soccer Academy and coach Jamie Scott…was named to the ECNL Northeast All Conference 2
nd team for the 2020/21 season…had 11 goals and 9 assists during that season.
Jake Van Voorhees 6'1" Goalkeeper Landenberg, PA Avon Grove HS
Goalkeeper who will add important depth right away to the position…played for coach Mark Puican at Avon Grove HS…named team captain as a senior…three year varsity player at Avon Grove…plays club soccer for Sporting Delaware and coach Ryan Dixon.
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Hometown/High School |
| Jaeden Amato |
D |
6-0 |
Allentown, Pa./Emmaus |
| Dillon Barbieri |
D |
6-0 |
Souderton, Pa./Souderton |
| Jason Goldfeder |
M |
5-8 |
Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff |
| Reese Peddrick |
M |
5-8 |
Newark, Del./Salesianum |
| Aleksander "AJ" Peev |
F |
6-2 |
Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks South |
| Owen Slack |
M |
5-9 |
Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley |
| Jake Van Vorhees |
GK |
6-1 |
Landenberg, Pa./Avon Grove |
The Golden Rams open the 2022 season at home on Rockwell Field against Jefferson University on August 25
th.
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