HPU Men’s Soccer Signs 11 to 2018 Recruiting Class

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University men’s soccer coach EJ O’Keeffe announced the squad’s 2018 recruiting class on Wednesday, signing 11 newcomers to join the defending Big South regular season champions.

“I’m excited to officially have these eleven young man joining our family in 2018,” O’Keeffe said. “I want to thank my staff for their tireless work in bringing these student athletes to High Point. Incorporating this 2018 class with our current roster will create an enhanced competitive environment that we strive for. This group of student-athletes and their families embody the values and mentality needed for us to continue reaching new heights at HPU.”

PLAYER SPOTLIGHTS

Alex Abril | 6-2, 170 lbs. | Midfielder | Brandywine, Md. | Bishop O’Connell (Va.) | Maryland United

Prep: Alex is a three-year varsity starter at Bishop O’Connell High School and a highly-decorated performer. He was named honorable mention all-league as a junior before garnering first team all-league and all-state as a senior and second team Washington Post All-Met. He also was named his team’s most outstanding player as a senior for one of the top teams in Virginia. Alex was also a member of the Maryland United club team for the last five years.

Personal: Alex is the son of Andres and Jennifer Abril and has a younger brother, Aidan. His father played basketball at Rollins College. He is undecided on his major at HPU.

Tanner Binion | 6-2, 192 lbs. | Forward | McKinney, Texas | McKinney Boyd | Solar Soccer Club

Prep: Tanner spent three seasons on the varsity squad at McKinney Boyd High School. During his career, he has been named first team all-district, all-area, and honorable mention all-state. He was also tabbed the district MVP after helping his team go undefeated in district play and leading the district in goals scored. He was a team captain for three years for his club team, Solar 99. The squad was a regional finalist and a Dallas Cup finalist.

Personal: Tanner is the son of Jayson and Julie Binion, and has a younger sister Kaitlin, and an older sister, Logan. His great uncle played football for Southern Methodist. He intends to major in communications at HPU.

Daniel Deger | 5-9, 150 lbs. | Midfielder | Malvern, Pa. | Delaware County Christian | Penn Fusion
Prep: Daniel is a four-year varsity performer at Delaware County Christian School as well as a three-year athlete in lacrosse. He was voted first team all-league all four years as well as offensive MVP his senior season. His team advanced to the district playoffs in both his junior and senior campaign. Daniel also played for Penn Fusion 99 Elite for 11 seasons in the club circuit.

Personal: Daniel is the son of Bill and Heidi Deger, and has a sister, Carley. He is undecided on his major at HPU.

Seth DePriest-Kessler | 5-10, 153 lbs. | Midfielder | La Plata, Md. | La Plata | Maryland United

Prep: Seth is a four-year varsity player from La Plata High School. He has been named all-conference three times and Washington Post All-Met honorable mention once. He ended his junior campaign ranking in the top three in the state of Maryland with 18 assists. His team won two regional championships, advancing to the 2A state championship as a sophomore. Seth also played for five seasons with Maryland United on the club circuit.

Personal: Seth is the son of Kirk Kessler and Christine DePriest, and has a younger sister, Makenzie. He has received principle honors and has placed on the highest honor roll in each quarter of his high school career. He intends to major in criminal justice at HPU.

Damon Diaz | 5-11, 175 lbs. | Defender | Weston, Fla. | Cypress Bay | Weston FC
Prep: Damon comes to HPU from Cypress Bay High School in Florida and also participated for Weston FC on the club circuit. As part of the US Soccer Development Academy, he started and played all 27 games as a defender for his U16 club in 2016-17.

Personal: Damon intends to major in criminal justice at HPU.

Cole DiCicco | 5-10, 177 lbs. | Forward | Mamaroneck, N.Y. | Mamaroneck | New York Soccer Club

Prep: Cole is a three-sport athlete from Mamaroneck High School, competing in soccer for four years, basketball for a pair of seasons, and lacrosse for a year. He was voted a team captain for the soccer team in 2017 and started his final three years, scoring 12 goals and six assists in his final campaign. Six of the 12 goals were game-winners. He was also tabbed all-league, all-section, all-region, and all-state during his time in high school, highlighted by league MVP honors. On the club circuit, Cole played for New York Soccer Club and was also a part of NY Olympic Development Program. He was the leading scorer at ODP Inter-regionals and was selected to represent Region One ODP in April 2017, traveling to Scotland for an international tournament.

Personal: Cole is the son of Matthew and Ellen DiCicco and has a brother, Matthew, and a sister, Nicolette. His father played football at Boston College and Southern Methodist University. Cole has been on his school’s honor roll and was a member of the Students for Senegal club and the Young Republicans club. He is undecided on his major at HPU.

Josh Dubost | 6’2, 180 lbs. | Defender | Collegeville, Pa. | Methacton | Continental FC Delco

Prep: Josh was a two-sport athlete for Methacton High School, competing on the varsity soccer team for a year in addition to three years of baseball. He was named the team’s most valuable pitcher on the diamond. In the club circuit, he played for Continental FC Delco Development Academy for four years, ultimately being ranked in the top 30 for the state of Pennsylvania by Top Drawer Soccer. With his club, he participated in the Madrid Youth Cup in Spain in August 2016 and was a member of the U.S. Development Academy Showcase Tournament in 2016 and 2017.

Personal: Josh is the son of David and Amy Dubost, and has an older sister, Kyra, who played soccer at East Stroudsburg University. Academically, he was named to his school’s honor roll. Josh plans to major in business at HPU.

Jake Frank | 6-0, 175 lbs. | Forward | Coatesville, Pa. | Bishop Shanahan | Penn Fusion

Prep: Jake played for four seasons on the varsity squad at Bishop Shanahan High School, accumulating a school-record 60 goals in his career. His goal total increased each year from five as a freshman to 23 as a senior. He was a four-time all-conference selection and was named team MVP as a junior and all-area as a senior. He also played for 10 seasons on the club circuit with Penn Fusion SA.

Personal: Jake is the son of Scott and Debbie Frank, and has a younger sister, Samantha. He intends to major in exercise science at HPU.

Ethan Harvey | 5-11, 158 lbs. | Defender | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville North | FC United

Prep: Ethan is a three-year varsity player at left back for Naperville North High School. He was named first team all-conference as a junior and a senior, including a unanimous selection as a senior. He was twice named to the Chicagoland All-State team and was the Naperville Sun’s Player of the Year. His team won the state championship in back-to-back seasons. Ethan also played on the club circuit for FC United.

Personal: Ethan is the son of Steve and Catherine Harvey, and has a younger sister, Gwen. He is undecided on a major at HPU.

Tony Pineda | 5-11, 135 lbs. | Forward | Statesville, N.C. | Statesville | Charlotte Soccer Academy
Prep: Tony played on the varsity squad as an attacker at Statesville High School with a profound ability to score goals. In his junior campaign, he scored 40 goals en route to being named all-county and all-state. He also played on the club circuit with Charlotte Soccer Academy.

Personal: Tony is the son of Alonzo and Erika Pineda, and has two younger brothers, David and Pablo. He intends to major in medicine at HPU.

Gunnar Siegel | 6-0, 175 lbs. | Goalkeeper | Norfolk, Ma. | Worcester Academy | FC Boston

Prep: Gunnar played his high school soccer at Worcester Academy and played for the FC Boston Bolts on the club circuit. He was selected to play for the United States team in the prestigious Milk Cup in Northern Ireland in 2015.

Personal: Gunnar is the son of Thomas and Susan Siegel, and has an older sister, Hali. He intends to major in business at HPU.

HPU is coming off its first Big South regular season championship since 2010 and its second appearance in the conference championship game in the last three seasons. The Panthers continue their spring season with an exhibition match against North Carolina FC on Sunday, Mar. 18 at 12 p.m.