DAYTON, Ohio – University of Dayton Men’s Soccer Head Coach Dennis Currier has announced the addition of eight student-athletes for the 2012 season. Brian Bates, Michael Frasca, Chris Froschauer, Anthony Keene, Andrew Lightner, Blake Muehlstein, Anthony Pagano and Ryan Suddarth will join the Flyers for the 2012 season.
"This class represents a high degree of character and work ethic which were two major ingredients that led to our championships in 2008 and 2009. Most of these student-athletes were a little under the radar and we feel they will come in with a desire to prove themselves,” Currier said. “We are coming off of a very tough season, so we did have to focus on some critical positions that we fell short on this year. It is difficult for a freshman to come in and make an immediate impact. With our high expectations for 2012, the first major challenge for this class will be to prepare enough over the next six months to make a difference from day one."
Bates, a midfielder, comes to UD after spending time developing at the Real Salt Lake AZ Academy. Bates has been attending the academy for the past two seasons. During his junior season with Real Salt Lake AZ Academy, Bates helped the program advance to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s National Semifinals. Prior to his time at the Real Salt Lake AZ Academy, Bates played for Centennial High School in Peoria, Ariz.
At Centennial, Bates was the team’s MVP during his sophomore season. He was also a two-time first team all-region selection while playing two seasons of varsity for Centennial.
Frasca, a midfielder from Aurora, Ill., played for the Marmion Academy Cadets in Aurora. A two-year captain for the Cadets, Frasca tallied 42 goals and 17 assists during his senior season as Marmion took fourth place in the Illinois Class 2A State Championships. He was a two-time all-sectional and All-Suburban Christian Conference selection. Frasca was also named to the Chicago Sun-Times’ All-Area Second Team.
Frasca played for the USSDA Chicago Fire Juniors. The Fire captured the 2009 and 2010 state championships. His 2011 squad was also a state finalist. Frasca and the Fire reached the Disney Showcase Finals for three consecutive seasons (09-11).
Froschauer is one of ESPN Rise’s Top 25 Goalkeepers to Watch and also one of its Top 150 Players to Watch for the Class of 2012. A goalkeeper from Union, Ky., Froschauer joins the Flyers after backstopping Larry A. Ryle high school to an appearance in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Division I Championship Game in 2011. A two-year captain for the Raiders, Froschauer was a selection to the all-state tournament team, and was the most valuable player of both the regional and district tournaments in 2011. He was also tabbed to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region Team in 2010 and 2011 as well as the Kentucky State ODP team.
Froschauer posted 14 shutouts during his senior season, helping him earn the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference’s Division I Player of the Year Award. He was also selected as Northern Kentucky Region IX Defensive Player of the Year after posting a .59 goals against average during his varsity career. That number is the lowest of any goalkeeper in Region IX history. Froschauer earned First Team All-Region IX, Ryle High School MVP and First Team Cincinnati Enquirer First Team Honors in 2010 and 2011. Froschauer has also played for Kings Soccer Academy for seven years.
Keene, a midfielder, joins the Flyers from Billings West High School in Billings, Mont. A decorated student-athlete for the Bears, Keene was the Gatorade Montana Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2010 after leading the Bears to the 2010 Class AA Montana State Semifinals. Keene was also selected to the 2010 Class AA Eastern Division All-State First Team. Additionally, Keene helped Billings West capture a pair of state championships in 2008 and 2009. He was the team’s Most Valuable Player last season.
Keene was voted Most Improved Player by his teammates. Additionally, he also earned the 2009 Referee’s Sportsman’s Award, and was an all-conference honorable mention. Most recently, Keene was selected to the Great Falls Tribune’s Montana Super-State team in 2011. Keene helped the Billings Magic City Soccer Club earn a state championship in 2010, and an appearance in the state finals in 2007. He has also been a four-year Captain of the Montana United Soccer Team.
Lightner, a defender, joins Dayton after his prep days with Fort Zumwalt West. The O’Fallon, Mo. native was an All-Gateway Athletic Conference selection in 2011, and was also named Fort Zumwalt West’s Defensive Player of the Year. Lightner played for three-time state champion Lou Fusz Popovic. In 2011, he helped the team reach the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Finals after winning the Midwest Regional League Championship. In 2007 and 2010, his squads were Region II semifinalists. Lightner also played for USSDA Sporting Kansas City.
Muehlstein is a goalkeeper from Hurst, Texas. In 2011, Muehlstein helped Nolan Catholic High School captured the Division I Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) State Championship. He was picked to the TAPPS All-Tournament Team and was also a First Team All-Texas selection. Additionally, Muehlstein earned first team all-district honors and was voted defensive player of the year. Muehlstein was a member of the Solar Soccer club and was a member of the 2008 team that advanced to the Youth National Championship finals.
Pagano is a defender from Highland Village, Texas. In 2011, Pagano was picked to the District 8-5A Boys Soccer All-District Second Team while playing for Marcus in Flower Mound, Texas. Pagano also played for nearby Lewisville High School in 2009 and was named an honorable mention on the District 8-5A Boys Soccer All-District Team.
Pagano has been a member of USSF Dallas Texans U16 & U18 Dallas Texans Soccer Academy Teams (2009-12). He was also a member of the ODP Region II State and Regional Pool from 2006-2008. Pagano was a co-captain of the 2011 U16 USSF Academy Finalists Dallas Texans. In 2010, the Texans captured the U17 Disney Showcase Championship. His U14 team won the Gothia Cup in 2008 and the Disney Showcase Cup in 2007.
A Chesterfield, Mo. native, Suddarth played for Saint Louis University High School as a four-year varsity athlete for the Jr. Billikens. In 2009, the Jr. Billikens advanced to the Missouri state finals.
Suddarth was also the starting keeper for the Lou Fusz (Popovic) Gold Soccer Club. He was a three-time Missouri Club State Champion (’07, ’08, ’10). In 2011, he helped his club advance to the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Finals after capturing the Midwest Regional League Championship. In 2007 and 2010, his squads were Region II semi-finalists. Suddarth was a member of the Missouri Olympic Development Program as a member of the 2011 state team and the Region II team.
The Flyers return 20 student-athletes for the 2012 season.
