Green Announces 2012 Incoming Class

Head men's soccer coach Shaun Green has announced that the Blue Devils will add 10 student-athletes to their 2012 roster.  Last season the Blue Devils posted a 10-8-1 (7-3 NEC) record and finished as regular season tri-champions in the Northeast Conference.

Here is a breakdown of the incoming class:

Ben Knight – 5'11" 160 – Defender – Burton Albion Youth Team

Knight played youth soccer at Burton Albion FC. During his time there, he was named captain as well as the club's Youth Player of the Year in 2011.

Green on Knight: "Ben is a top class person on and off the field.  He fits the profile of student-athlete perfectly.  Ben has natural pace and is a tenacious ball winner.  He is excellent at getting forward and I was very impressed with his distribution in the attacking third.  We are very fortunate to have such a quality student-athlete commit to CCSU."

Myles Clohessy – 6'1" 175 – Midfield – Housatonic Valley Regional High School

Clohessy was named All-State and Connecticut Top 20 player to watch by ESPN.  A three-year varsity player, Clohessy was named CSCA All-State and was also a three-time All-Berkshire League first teamer during his time at Housatonic Valley.  He played in the Connecticut Olympic Development Program, Region 1 Olympic Development Program, and was selected to play for New York Red Bulls U18 Development Academy.  Clohessy is currently playing for Soccerplus Connecticut.

Green on Clohessy:  "I believe Myles is one of the best prospects in Connecticut.  He is athletic, skillful and has a top class attitude on and off the field.  He comes from a wonderful family with great values.  Myles will add immediately to our team and is projected to be critical to our success over the next four years."

Frederick Metellus – 5'11" 165 – Attack – Bunnell High School

During his time at Bunnell, Metellus earned varsity team captain his senior year.  He was selected to the MSG Varsity Top-20 Connecticut Players to Watch.  He earned Southwest Conference first team honors, was a New Haven Register All-Area Team Selection, a Connecticut Post All-Area Team Selection, selected to the Connecticut Senior Bowl, a CSCA All-State Team Selection, and a MSG Varsity All-Connecticut Team Selection.   Metellus helped lead his team to the Southwest Conference Tournament Championship.  He was named SWC Tournament Most Valuable Player.  Metellus also helped lead his team to a Class L State Championship.

Green on Metellus:  "Freddy has established himself as a top player in the state.  He is a great athlete with superb passing and defensive skills.  Freddy can play a number of roles immediately for our team and we expect him to make an immediate impact for playing time.  We are so excited to have him commit to CCSU and we look forward to taking his game to another level."

Nicholas Velleca – 6'1" 175 – Goalkeeper – Cheshire High School

While at Cheshire High School, Velleca was a senior captain and a three-year starter.  He helped lead his team to its first Housatonic Division title since 2007 and earn the top seed in the Southern Connecticut Conference Tournament.  His team advanced to the Class LL quarterfinals for the second year in a row.

Green on Velleca:  "Nick is an outstanding goalkeeper with great athletic ability combined with a first class attitude.  He is going to be an important player for us in goal and has all the attributes to be a top goalkeeper."

Tanor Jobe – 6' 165 – Midfield – NIPMUC Regional High School

Jobe comes to Central from NIPMUC Regional High School in Massachusetts where he was selected to the Central Massachusetts All-Star team.   He has played in the USSF Academy system, the highest level of club soccer, for the FC Greater Boston Academy team.  He also played for MLS's New England Revolution academy team.  Jobe represented the Massachusetts Olympic Development team from 2007 to 2010 and was selected to play in Portugal in 2008. He led Central Massachusetts in scoring and led his team to the Central Massachusetts Division 2 Championship in 2010 and 2009.

Green on Jobe:  "I was extremely impressed with Tanor when he attended one of our ID Clinics in the fall.  He comes from a great family and is also an outstanding student.  He has raw talent and speed which we can help him develop in our program.  He has succeeded at a high level of youth soccer and we expect him to continue his progress with us at CCSU.  We are very fortunate to have Tanor commit to us and look forward to seeing him in a Blue Devil jersey this fall."

Rafal Krauze – 6'2" 175 – Goalkeeper – Felicia College

Rafal is a transfer goalkeeper from Felician College in New Jersey.   Krauze started every game in 2011 and helped lead Felician to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.  He attended Randolph High school in New Jersey where he started for the New Jersey Olympic Development Program squad in 2009-10.  Krauze helped lead his team to the Potomac Cup Championship and a fifth place finish in the Super-K Nationals.  He also played club soccer for the Parsippany Wolves and the NPSL Morris County Colonials.

Green on Krauze:  "Rafal is a very technical goalkeeper and he brings valuable collegiate experience to our program.  I expect him to challenge for playing time immediately.  His attitude and maturity level is excellent.  We are very fortunate to have Rafal commit to our program and look forward to seeing him on campus for pre-season."

Bilal Afolabi – 6'3" 180 – Defender – Windsor High School

Afolabi led Windsor High School in scoring and assists.  He was also named to the All-Conference team.

Green on Afolabi:  "Bilal has such raw talent which makes him such an exciting prospect.  I love his athletic ability and speed.  His attitude is first class and I believe given the right environment for him to play and train, he will be a good player at the college level.  He is also such a great kid to be around.  We are thrilled he is at CCSU to play collegiate soccer." 

Jeff Hopkins – 5'10" 165 – Defender – Suffolk University

Hopkins joins Central from Suffolk University in Massachusetts.  Prior to participating in collegiate soccer, he played for Wethersfield High School in Connecticut.

Green on Hopkins:  "Jeff has exceptional speed for a defensive player.  He is a player who can add depth to our defense and bring in a supper attitude consistent with our team."

Drew Cobin – 6'3" 175 – Midfield – Pomfret 

Cobin plays for Pomfret in Connecticut as a post-graduate student.  He was named to the Eastern-Massachusetts All-Star team with 22 points in 2011.

Green on Cobin:  "Drew impressed me during our ID camp last fall.  He has great vision and technique for a central midfielder.  I loved his attitude and desire to be part of our program at CCSU.  Drew is a fantastic student and we are looking forward to him being part of our team at Central."

Anthony Grant – 6'1" 180 – Midfield – Middle Georgia

Grant transfers to Central from Middle Georgia Community College.  He was named First Team All- Region in 2010 and 2011 in Region 17 NJCAA.   Grant Played with the Westchester Flames in the Super-Y U-20s competition.

Green on Grant:  "Anthony brings experience to our defense and midfield.  He is an all-round athlete and can play a major role in our team this season.  He is strong in the tackle and in the air.  I am looking forward to seeing him in a Blue Devils shirt this season."