Drexel University Athletics
Photo by: Greg Carroccio
Men's Soccer Introduces Incoming Class for the Fall
7/20/2017 8:46:00 AM | Men's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA – Eight newcomers will be suiting up in the Blue and Gold for the first time this fall as head coach Doug Hess and the Drexel men's soccer team welcomes a large incoming group that includes seven freshmen and a junior transfer. The group includes a pair of international student athletes as well as players from the states of Washington, New York, Maryland, New Jersey and two who will be staying close to home in the greater Philadelphia area.
"The men's soccer staff is extremely excited about the depth of this recruiting class and their desire to help bring a championship mentality to Drexel Soccer," Hess said. "There was a heavy emphasis on midfield play in this class and my staff and I believe we addressed this well. Our staff is committed to the growth and improvement of these young men both on and off the field, as well as in the classroom. We are looking forward to getting involved with them in just a few short weeks."
Hess on Amore
"Anthony is a natural left-footed and left-sided player, and possesses some solid technique on the ball. He is a versatile player that we have seen play and effect the game positively as an outside back, winger, or central midfield player. Anthony has some great experiences with his club team, and he is a competitor."
Out of Plainsboro, N.J., Anthony Amore comes to the Dragons after a successful high school career at West Windsor Plainsboro South and brings a championship mentality from his club experience with Match Fit Academy FC. Amore was twice a First Team All-Colonial Valley Conference honoree in high school, and was an All-State performer as a junior and senior. With Match Fit, Amore anchored a team which won back-to-back New Jersey State Cup championships and EDP Division I titles during his time on the club. Anthony boasts a collegiate soccer pedigree as his father, Joseph, played at UMass Amherst. The son of Joseph and Maria Amore, Anthony intends to major in business.
Hess on Boyal
"Neil comes to us after having a great season with Seattle Sounders youth academy. He is a solid positional midfield player, with excellent awareness and a strong passing range. Neil reads the game well defensively and can break up play. Additionally, he is gaining more experience by training with S2 (Seattle Sounders USL pro team) through the rest of the summer months."
Neil Boyal made his way to University City from the Pacific Northwest, where he graduated from Olympia High School while playing with the Washington Premier and Seattle Sounders Academy clubs. Boyal helped his club team to the Washington State championship in 2014-15, and won the WCDA title in 2014-15 as well. At Olympia, he was named a First Team All-State performer and was the All-Area Boys Soccer Performer of the Year in 2015. Boyal also played center-mid for the Washington ODP team from 2010-12. Since 2015, Boyal has been playing for the Seattle Sounders US Development Academy as a midfielder, finishing in the top three of the Western Conference both seasons. This past season, the midfielder helped his Sounders side advance out of the "Group of Death" in the playoffs and finish third in the country for the USSDA league. The son of Kulwinder and Charanjit Boyal, Nick is undecided on a major.
Hess on Carroll
"Chris has won championships with both his high school and club teams, and has been a focal point in both of those set-ups. He is a clever attacking midfield player, with skill and ability to deliver a pass as well as score his share of goals. Drexel Soccer has strong ties to the Baltimore soccer scene, and Chris keeps us connected to that."
Chris Carroll made a name for himself in the Baltimore area while playing at Calvert Hall College as the center midfielder for a Cardinals team that won an MIAA A-Conference championship. He earned All-MIAA honors as a result. Meanwhile, Carroll played three years for Pipeline Soccer in Timonium, Md., helping them to the 2016 USYSA National Championship. Carroll also played two years on the Maryland ODP team. He is the son of Elaine and John Carroll, and intends to major in business.
Hess on Daranjio
"We first came in contact with Laolu at our Summer ID Camp. He immediately made an impression on us with his hold-up play as a forward and ability to get in good scoring positions. Laolu has some fantastic physical tools that will help him transition to the college game right away."
A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Laolu Daranjio has spent the last three years in New Jersey at the Peddie School, where he was twice named an All-MAPL player and led the team to a New Jersey state title in 2016. While in New Jersey, Daranjio spent two years with the Match Fit Academy team. Prior to coming stateside, Daranjio attended the Day Waterman school in Nigeria, and was named the Best Attacker at the Clique Sports Academy in 2012-13 and the Most Valuable Player in 2014-15. The son of Sinari and Tejumade Daranjio, Laolu intends to major in business administration.
Hess on Ebbesen
"Mathias has loads of personality both on and off the field, and comes to us after two very successful seasons of college soccer at the Division I level. Mathias is a solid two-way type midfield player with the ability to affect the game both in attack with his movement and passing abilities, as well as help the team recover the ball with his box-to-box physical capabilities."
Mathias Ebbesen is the lone member of the incoming class with previous Division I experience, having played his first two collegiate seasons at SIU Edwardsville. There, he scored a pair of game-winning goals in victories over San Diego on Sept. 13, 2015 and IUPUI on Oct. 4, 2016. Over his two years, he had seven total points and 28 shots. Last season, Ebbesen played an integral part in SIUE winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and making a run in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Wake Forest in the round of 16, assisting on SIUE's lone goal in the 2-1 loss. Prior to starting his college career, Ebbesen, a native of Oslo, Norway, led his club team, Roa Football Club, with 23 points in 2015. He scored nine goals and had five assists that season. He also played with IL Heming and earned team Most Valuable Player honors five times during his tenures with the two clubs. The son of Kristin and Ola Ebbesen, Mathias has a connection to the Dragons already as his uncle, Erik Dahle, played under former head coach Lew Meehl in 1993 and 1994. Ebbesen intends to major in arts and sciences.
Hess on Kopsachilis
"Stephen is another Drexel Soccer recruit from my alma mater high school, as was Matt DiDomenico ('15). He is more of a classic line goalkeeper that has the ability to shot stop as well as control his six-yard box in the air. Stephen is eager to improve and committed to getting better each day."
Stephen Kopsachilis is a native of East Northport, N.Y., where he attended Commack High School. His soccer was played with the BW Gottschee Academy teams since 2009. With BW Gottschee, Kopsachilis won New York Cup championships four times, and recorded the third-fewest goals against in his last year in the U16 USSDA league. Kopsachilis was part of a 2013 Super Y League national championship team, and participated in the National Market Training Center Combine in 2014. The son of Jamie and Chris Kopsachilis, Stephen intends to major in business analytics.
Hess on Murphy
"Pat is our first Philadelphia Union Academy player and a part of the first cycle of guys to go all the way through their youth academy system. He is a two-way type midfielder with a very good game sense and skill base. Pat reads plays extremely well and competes on both sides of the ball."
Pat Murphy will remain close to home by attending Drexel this fall. Out of Lansdale, Pa., Murphy played for five years with the Philadelphia Union Academy program, helping the team to a No. 4 ranking among all USSDA U18 Academy teams in the United States and Canada. This season, Murphy helped his Union side secure an Atlantic Division first place finish in the East Conference, and a No. 3 seed going into the playoffs. He, too, boasts a strong family background in collegiate soccer. His father played soccer at Temple and his brother, Sean, played at East Stroudsburg. The son of Karin and Terry Murphy, Pat intends to major in general business.
Hess on Nork
"Adam is a true Philly guy and comes from a soccer family. We have watched him grow over the past year-and-a-half, and continue to get better and better. Adam is a holding-type midfield player with a strong passing range."
Adam Nork will also be playing in his hometown when he puts on the Blue and Gold this fall after graduating from Father Judge High School, where he played the center midfield position for four years. As a senior in 2016, Nork was named an All-Philadelphia Catholic League standout. He helped his team to a PCL title in 2013 and a championship game appearance two years later. Nork also played five seasons with Yardley Makefield Soccer, and helped the squad advance to the finals of the Pennsylvania State Cup in 2015 and 2016. Nork rounds out a class full of families with proud soccer heritages, as his brother Ryan currently plays at La Salle. The son of Dawn and Bill Nork, Adam intends to major in mechanical engineering.
"The men's soccer staff is extremely excited about the depth of this recruiting class and their desire to help bring a championship mentality to Drexel Soccer," Hess said. "There was a heavy emphasis on midfield play in this class and my staff and I believe we addressed this well. Our staff is committed to the growth and improvement of these young men both on and off the field, as well as in the classroom. We are looking forward to getting involved with them in just a few short weeks."
Hess on Amore
"Anthony is a natural left-footed and left-sided player, and possesses some solid technique on the ball. He is a versatile player that we have seen play and effect the game positively as an outside back, winger, or central midfield player. Anthony has some great experiences with his club team, and he is a competitor."
Out of Plainsboro, N.J., Anthony Amore comes to the Dragons after a successful high school career at West Windsor Plainsboro South and brings a championship mentality from his club experience with Match Fit Academy FC. Amore was twice a First Team All-Colonial Valley Conference honoree in high school, and was an All-State performer as a junior and senior. With Match Fit, Amore anchored a team which won back-to-back New Jersey State Cup championships and EDP Division I titles during his time on the club. Anthony boasts a collegiate soccer pedigree as his father, Joseph, played at UMass Amherst. The son of Joseph and Maria Amore, Anthony intends to major in business.
Hess on Boyal
"Neil comes to us after having a great season with Seattle Sounders youth academy. He is a solid positional midfield player, with excellent awareness and a strong passing range. Neil reads the game well defensively and can break up play. Additionally, he is gaining more experience by training with S2 (Seattle Sounders USL pro team) through the rest of the summer months."
Neil Boyal made his way to University City from the Pacific Northwest, where he graduated from Olympia High School while playing with the Washington Premier and Seattle Sounders Academy clubs. Boyal helped his club team to the Washington State championship in 2014-15, and won the WCDA title in 2014-15 as well. At Olympia, he was named a First Team All-State performer and was the All-Area Boys Soccer Performer of the Year in 2015. Boyal also played center-mid for the Washington ODP team from 2010-12. Since 2015, Boyal has been playing for the Seattle Sounders US Development Academy as a midfielder, finishing in the top three of the Western Conference both seasons. This past season, the midfielder helped his Sounders side advance out of the "Group of Death" in the playoffs and finish third in the country for the USSDA league. The son of Kulwinder and Charanjit Boyal, Nick is undecided on a major.
Hess on Carroll
"Chris has won championships with both his high school and club teams, and has been a focal point in both of those set-ups. He is a clever attacking midfield player, with skill and ability to deliver a pass as well as score his share of goals. Drexel Soccer has strong ties to the Baltimore soccer scene, and Chris keeps us connected to that."
Chris Carroll made a name for himself in the Baltimore area while playing at Calvert Hall College as the center midfielder for a Cardinals team that won an MIAA A-Conference championship. He earned All-MIAA honors as a result. Meanwhile, Carroll played three years for Pipeline Soccer in Timonium, Md., helping them to the 2016 USYSA National Championship. Carroll also played two years on the Maryland ODP team. He is the son of Elaine and John Carroll, and intends to major in business.
Hess on Daranjio
"We first came in contact with Laolu at our Summer ID Camp. He immediately made an impression on us with his hold-up play as a forward and ability to get in good scoring positions. Laolu has some fantastic physical tools that will help him transition to the college game right away."
A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Laolu Daranjio has spent the last three years in New Jersey at the Peddie School, where he was twice named an All-MAPL player and led the team to a New Jersey state title in 2016. While in New Jersey, Daranjio spent two years with the Match Fit Academy team. Prior to coming stateside, Daranjio attended the Day Waterman school in Nigeria, and was named the Best Attacker at the Clique Sports Academy in 2012-13 and the Most Valuable Player in 2014-15. The son of Sinari and Tejumade Daranjio, Laolu intends to major in business administration.
Hess on Ebbesen
"Mathias has loads of personality both on and off the field, and comes to us after two very successful seasons of college soccer at the Division I level. Mathias is a solid two-way type midfield player with the ability to affect the game both in attack with his movement and passing abilities, as well as help the team recover the ball with his box-to-box physical capabilities."
Mathias Ebbesen is the lone member of the incoming class with previous Division I experience, having played his first two collegiate seasons at SIU Edwardsville. There, he scored a pair of game-winning goals in victories over San Diego on Sept. 13, 2015 and IUPUI on Oct. 4, 2016. Over his two years, he had seven total points and 28 shots. Last season, Ebbesen played an integral part in SIUE winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and making a run in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Wake Forest in the round of 16, assisting on SIUE's lone goal in the 2-1 loss. Prior to starting his college career, Ebbesen, a native of Oslo, Norway, led his club team, Roa Football Club, with 23 points in 2015. He scored nine goals and had five assists that season. He also played with IL Heming and earned team Most Valuable Player honors five times during his tenures with the two clubs. The son of Kristin and Ola Ebbesen, Mathias has a connection to the Dragons already as his uncle, Erik Dahle, played under former head coach Lew Meehl in 1993 and 1994. Ebbesen intends to major in arts and sciences.
Hess on Kopsachilis
"Stephen is another Drexel Soccer recruit from my alma mater high school, as was Matt DiDomenico ('15). He is more of a classic line goalkeeper that has the ability to shot stop as well as control his six-yard box in the air. Stephen is eager to improve and committed to getting better each day."
Stephen Kopsachilis is a native of East Northport, N.Y., where he attended Commack High School. His soccer was played with the BW Gottschee Academy teams since 2009. With BW Gottschee, Kopsachilis won New York Cup championships four times, and recorded the third-fewest goals against in his last year in the U16 USSDA league. Kopsachilis was part of a 2013 Super Y League national championship team, and participated in the National Market Training Center Combine in 2014. The son of Jamie and Chris Kopsachilis, Stephen intends to major in business analytics.
Hess on Murphy
"Pat is our first Philadelphia Union Academy player and a part of the first cycle of guys to go all the way through their youth academy system. He is a two-way type midfielder with a very good game sense and skill base. Pat reads plays extremely well and competes on both sides of the ball."
Pat Murphy will remain close to home by attending Drexel this fall. Out of Lansdale, Pa., Murphy played for five years with the Philadelphia Union Academy program, helping the team to a No. 4 ranking among all USSDA U18 Academy teams in the United States and Canada. This season, Murphy helped his Union side secure an Atlantic Division first place finish in the East Conference, and a No. 3 seed going into the playoffs. He, too, boasts a strong family background in collegiate soccer. His father played soccer at Temple and his brother, Sean, played at East Stroudsburg. The son of Karin and Terry Murphy, Pat intends to major in general business.
Hess on Nork
"Adam is a true Philly guy and comes from a soccer family. We have watched him grow over the past year-and-a-half, and continue to get better and better. Adam is a holding-type midfield player with a strong passing range."
Adam Nork will also be playing in his hometown when he puts on the Blue and Gold this fall after graduating from Father Judge High School, where he played the center midfield position for four years. As a senior in 2016, Nork was named an All-Philadelphia Catholic League standout. He helped his team to a PCL title in 2013 and a championship game appearance two years later. Nork also played five seasons with Yardley Makefield Soccer, and helped the squad advance to the finals of the Pennsylvania State Cup in 2015 and 2016. Nork rounds out a class full of families with proud soccer heritages, as his brother Ryan currently plays at La Salle. The son of Dawn and Bill Nork, Adam intends to major in mechanical engineering.
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