Men's Soccer Introduces Incoming Class for 2016

PHILADELPHIA – The Drexel men's soccer program will kick off its season in just over a month when the Dragons visit St. John's on August 26. On Thursday, head coach Doug Hess formally introduced eight incoming student-athletes who will make their first appearances in the Blue and Gold this fall.

Eden Ben Hemo, Carlos Cuevas, Martin Farias, Daniel Klemm, Warne Lewis, Strick Newsom, Cameron Sanders and Robert Smith will be joining the Dragons for the 2016 season. The group provides balanced depth and will be expected to contribute right away.

"We are pleased with the depth of this group arriving on campus in August," Hess remarked. "They have addressed some of the immediate needs of our team and we are confident in the character and ethics of each recruit. They will be strong additions to our young team, and I look forward to participating in their development over the coming years."

Hess on Ben Hemo
"Eden is a player of great character and quality. He brings a wealth of experience from both club and country to Drexel, along with a strong leadership trait. He is a solid individual defender with the ability to break up the game on the ground and compete in the air. Eden reads the game very well from the back and connects the game into midfield."

Eden Ben Hemo comes to the Dragons from his hometown of Haifa, Israel, where he played three seasons at Leo Baeck Education Center and was named the school's Outstanding Athlete. Ben Hemo has significant experience with the Israeli national program, winning the season MVP award in the Israel National U-17 League three times. He also helped his Maccabi Haifa Shmuel team to the Israeli National Cup championship in 2013 and 2014, and won with Maccabi Haifa as a junior player in 2010. He served two years in the Israeli Navy before coming to Drexel. The son of Osnat and Daniel Ben Hemo, he intends to major in sport management.

Hess on Cuevas
"Carlos is a dynamic attacking player with loads of talent on the ball. He can create for both himself on the dribble as well as his teammates on the pass. We have seen him impact games by attacking through both the middle of the field and in wide open spaces. Carlos is an exciting player to watch in the final third and will add a good complement to our attack."

Carlos Cuevas was named the offensive MVP as a freshman at Timber Creek High School in Orlando as the team's leading goal scorer in his only season with the team. After leading the school to a district championship that year, Cuevas played four seasons with the Orlando City Soccer Club, helping them to a second place finish in the Southeast Division and a seeding in the Academy Playoffs. Cuevas finished tied for 10th in goals scored in the Southeastern Region. The son of Tawny and Jose Cuevas, Carlos intends to major in engineering.

Hess on Farias
"Martin is our first player from the heralded Montverde Academy program. We have seen him play all positions across a back line and play each of them well. Additionally, Martin has a good 'game sense' and composure about him. He is a very efficient player in possession and a convincing defender."

Martin Farias makes the journey to University City from Orlando, Florida, where he starred for Montverde Academy. The Guatemala City native played three seasons there, helping the school to national championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015. This past May, he was selected and called into a national training camp for the Guatemala Under-20 national side. Through his time at Montverde Academy, Farias has had multiple opportunities to compete against the Under-17 U.S. National Team and a host of professional teams from South America and Europe. The son of Vida Villasenor and Jose Farias, Martin intends to major in business.

Hess on Klemm
"Danny is a strong student in the classroom and of the game. He constantly wants to learn and advance himself, and this trait is evident in his game. I have been impressed each time I watch him with his ability to compete, make plays and lead from the back for his team. Danny has a quiet confidence about his play and keeps a level head."

Daniel Klemm jumps from the West Coast to the East Coast to join the Dragons after graduating as an AP Scholar with Honors from Marina High School in Huntington Beach, Calif. Klemm played six seasons with the Pateadores Academy team, helping them to a Far West Regional League Championship in 2013. This season, Klemm anchored a backline that kept eleven clean sheets on the way to an Academy playoffs berth. He was the center back for the ODP Cal South team from 2012-13, and led that squad to a Far West Regional Tournament title in 2013. That led to a Region IV All-Tournament Team nod for Klemm. The son of Jane and Bruce Klemm, Daniel intends to major in general business.

Hess on Lewis
"Warne attended our summer camp last year and we were very impressed with him from the first session. He is a solid individual defender and possesses good speed. Additionally, Warne reads the game well and he takes up good positions both defensively and in the attack. He has strong character and is another top student."

Warne Lewis will be making the longest journey from home to join the Dragons, as he is a native of Mount Pleasant, near Perth, Australia. He is no stranger to international travel, however, as he played one year at Shanghai Community International School before completing his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida. Lewis' team was the champion of the SISAC League during his year in Shanghai, when he won the team MVP and MVP of the Dragon Cup. While at IMG, Lewis helped his team to a 2014 State Cup Finalist finish, and participated in the Disney Memorial Day Cup in 2015 and the IMG Cup in 2014. Lewis earned the U-18 Boys Coaches Award, and graduated as an AP Scholar with Honors. The son of Nerina and Ian Lewis, Warne intends to major in biology.

Hess on Newsom
"Strick is a fantastic personality. From our first interactions with him at camp, we were taken to him. Strick has a solid composure in possession and does a good job of disrupting opponents on the flank in defense. He has a strong left food and is a solid crosser of the ball."

Out of Owings Mills, Md., Strick Newsom joins the Dragons after a standout career at DeMatha and with the Maryland United club program. Newsom helped DeMatha to Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and was named the school's Varsity Player of the Year in 2015. A WCAC All-Conference selection twice, Newsom was a Washington Post All-Met Second Team selection in 2015 as well. With Maryland United, Newsom reached the Maryland State Cup finals. He was a U.S. National Soccer Training Center invitee, and was the co-captain of his Maryland ODP team in 2012 and 2013. The son of Sheilia and Joeday Newsom, Strick is undeclared as he enters Drexel.

Hess on Sanders
"Cameron brings a lot of physical tools to his goalkeeper position. His length and height will transfer well to the college game in dealing with crosses and high balls in the box. Cameron is a strong shot-stopper and has shown some solid growth in goal over the year for his club. We know that he will continue to get better once he enters the everyday training environment."

Cameron Sanders will make the short trip to Philadelphia from his native York Springs, Pa. A first team all-conference performer as a high school sophomore at Bermudian Springs High, Sanders transferred to York Country Day and earned the team MVP award that year. Sanders spent a season with FC York Club Soccer before joining the PA Classics Academy team for the 2015-16 campaign. The son of Wendy and Joe Sanders, Cameron intends to major in health sciences.

Hess on Smith
"Robert brings a couple years of college experience to our group and is a soccer junkie. He is a player we believe flew a bit under the radar on his junior college team. Robert does a lot of the work in midfield that goes unnoticed – breaking up play, covering other teammates defensively, circulating the ball through midfield and supporting other attacking players. He is a competent passer and can serve several roles through the midfield."

The final addition to the 2016 Dragons is Robert Smith, a junior college transfer from Louisburg College where he spent his sophomore season. Smith started 23 of 25 matches in midfield for the Hurricanes, as they went 24-1 capturing the NJCAA Division I National Championship. He chipped in five goals and eight assists from his deep-lying midfield position. His freshman year was spent as a redshirt at USC Upstate, where the Cary, N.C. native attended after graduating from Apex High School. Smith was named the Southwest Wake Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2013, and was selected for the 2014 North Carolina East vs. West All-Star Game and the North Carolina vs. South Carolina All-Star Game that year. A two-time All-State, All-Region and All-Conference choice, Smith led the Cougars to three straight appearances in the 4A state playoffs. His club ball was played for 95 NC Alliance, where he helped the team to the NCYSA State Cup titles in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014. A Super20 National participant in 2014, Smith participated in the NC ODP '96 and helped lead the team to the CASL Showcase championship in 2010. He was an ODP National Tournament participant in 2013 and a member of the NCYSA '96 First Team in 2007-09 and 2012. The son of Cindy and Steve Smith, Robert intends to major in communications.

Drexel University Athletics

Men's Soccer Introduces Incoming Class for 2016

Players Mentioned

Eden Ben Hemo

Carlos Cuevas

Martin Farias

Daniel Klemm

Warne Lewis

Strick Newsom

Cameron Sanders

Robert Smith

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