March 2, 2009
Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University men's soccer squads announced the signing of five players to National Letters of Intent for the 2009 season. The Hoyas lost six seniors to graduation, but just two starters from the squad that went 11-5-3 and advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals last season.
"We are very excited to announce the addition of these five outstanding student-athletes. This is our third recruiting class here at Georgetown, and once again my assistants, Zach Samol and Josh Shapiro, have done a first rate job bringing in real quality with this group," said Head Coach Brian Wiese. "We expect big contributions to the program from all five of these boys, and expect them to help Georgetown continue our rise within the BIG EAST. What great additions to the Georgetown soccer family."
Ian Christianson is a highly-skilled midfielder from Cedar Rapids, Iowa who played with the Cedar Rapids Soccer Association for seven seasons and then went on to play in the Chicago Fire's U.S. Development Academy for two years. He was honored as a U.S. Development Academy Mid-American Starting 11 honoree along with current Hoya, David Madison. Christianson trained in the U.S. National Team Pool and from 2004-06 and in 2008-09. He was also on the Region III team from 2004-07. Christianson's Fire squad placed sixth at Academy Nationals and won the Midwest Conference. He also played with the adidas All-Stars and traveled overseas with the team in 2006.
"Ian is a natural leader and hates to lose. He brings a lot of experience with him to the Hilltop. I love how quickly he reads the game," said Wiese. "He's gifted with a terrific range of pass. He is a student of the game and someone that will be a lot of fun to coach."
Matt Hammett comes to the Hilltop from Smoky Hill High School in Colorado. He was an all-state honoree that led the Centennial League in points (six goals, 12 assists) and helped his high school squad to back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007 the team was the state runner-up in 2005. Hammett played with the Colorado ODP team and won two state titles with the Far West Regional squad. He plays with Real Colorado's U.S. Development team that won the Frontier Division.
"Matt is a very versatile soccer player," said Wiese. "He's balanced, tough, has a good range of pass and makes good decisions with the ball. He's the center midfielder and the engine room of a very good Real Colorado Academy team."
Mark Luxama is one of two Georgetown signees from New York and will join the Hoyas at forward. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native played for the U-17 Haitian National Team and is also a member of the U.S. Development Academy Met Oval squad. Luxama has international experience after competing in the U-17 World Cup in Korea and representing the United States with the Brooklyn Knights in France, he has also played with select teams in Argentina and Wales. At The Packer Collegiate Institute, the forward scored 19 goals.
"Mark is a dynamo that will bring a lot of energy to the attack either as a wide midfielder or forward," said Wiese. "He's very quick and has good feet. We expect him to cause a lot of problems for other teams going forward."
Tommy Muller joins the Hoyas from Altlmonte Springs, Fla., where he played for Trinity Preparatory. The midfielder was a member of the Super Y ODP National Team for two seasons as well as a member of the Florida ODP squad. Muller was a team captain for Orlando FC and was named to the Super Y National Championship All-Tournament squad.
"Tommy is someone we really got to know well at camp. I love his toughness. He is a great athlete with power, strength and speed who can also really play the game. He can help at any number of positions," said Wiese.
James Nealis comes to the Hilltop from Massapequa High School where he was an NSCAA/adidas All-American and the New York State Player of the Year. The Massapequa, N.Y., native was a two-time all-region and three-time all-conference honoree while his high school squad advanced to the state finals twice. Nealis played with Massapequa Terminators United for eight years and was a team captain on his respective squads. The midfielder had 33 career goals in high school as well as 34 assists starting in every game over four years.
"Jimmy is another kid who really wowed us at camp last summer. He is one of the most exciting left-footed recruits in the country," said Wiese. "He is very fast and loves to run at players. I expect his best soccer is still ahead of him."
The Hoyas will welcome these five newcomers along with their core of returners to preseason camp at North Kehoe Field in August, 2009.
News
Roster
Schedule
