June 13, 2011

Men's Soccer to Welcome Six Incoming Freshmen for 2011 Season

Harvard will open the season by hosting Northeastern Sept. 4 (Harvard Athletic Communications).

Carl Junot, the Virginia B. and James O. Welch ’52 Head Coach for Harvard Men’s Soccer, will welcome six incoming freshmen to the Crimson’s squad for the fall of 2011.

Harvard will gain three midfielders, two forwards and one defender and will look to improve on last year’s 5-7-5 overall mark. In addition, the Crimson returns 19 student-athletes from last fall and will open the 2011 season by hosting Northeastern Sept. 4.
 
“It is great to welcome this new group of student-athletes to Harvard,” Junot said. “I am very excited to work with such talented group of young men – they bring in a wealth of talent and experience from all over the world.  I look for a each of these new players to make an impact on next year’s team.  This group has a lot of passion and they are going to be great additions to the team, the athletics department, Harvard and the Cambridge community.” 
 
David Barna/Midfielder/Easton, Conn./Hopkins School
Before Harvard:
Starting center midfielder on varsity soccer team at Hopkins School… Soccer co-captain senior year…  Three-year starter on Region I ’92s Olympic Development Program Team… U18 ODP ’92 Interregional Tournament All-Star… U16 ODP Interregional Event, Disney Wide World of Sports adidas All-Star… ESPNRISE Connecticut Edition first-team All-State 2010… ESPNRISE Northeast Starting 2010-2011… CSCA-CHSCA All-State Team Prep Class L 2008-2010… USL Super 20s National Finals All-Tournament Team 2010… NCSSA Boys’ High School Scholar All-American Soccer Team 2010… Varsity wrestling team starter for four years… Wrestling co-caption senior year… Member of Hopkins School Cum Laude Society… National Merit commended scholar… Participated in mission trips to Llano Verde, Guatemala 2008-2010… Volunteer soccer coach to inner-city youth team.

Junot on Barna: “David will join our team this fall after completing a very successful prep school career at Hopkins School in New Haven, CT.  Barna played his club soccer under coach Mickey Kydes with Beachside soccer.  David is a very influential left footed player and will add balance to our team immediately.   David has accumulated a great amount of ODP and international playing experience over the last few years.  With each competition he participates in he is recognized as a standout player.” 
 

Tyler Evans/Defender/San Diego, Calif./The Bishop’s School
Before Harvard:
Four-year starter and letterwinner at The Bishop’s School … Also earned one letter in football, lacrosse, track & field and volleyball … Three-time captain of soccer team … Also captained San Diego Surf club team in three straight seasons … Earned all-league honors four times, garnering first-team status from 2008-10 … Co-MVP of California Interscholastic Federation championship team in 2009 and was recipient of CIF Sportsmanship Award … Named MVP of Francis Parker Soccer Cup as a senior … Helped team win three CIF league titles and CIF San Diego section championship in 2009 … Earned Eagle Scout rank and U.S. Presidential Community Service Award.

Junot on Evans: “Tyler comes to us from The Bishop’s School in San Diego, CA having played club soccer for the San Diego Surf Soccer Club.  Tyler is a natural leader having captained both his high school and club soccer teams for multiple years.  Tyler is a standout defender who possesses fantastic athletic ability.  Tyler is among the most well rounded student athletes I have recruited – we identified him very early in the recruiting process as a student athlete we would love to have here at Harvard.  Once Tyler adjusts to collegiate athletics I anticipate him becoming a great leader within our community.” 
 
 
Michael Innocenzi/Forward/Franklin Lakes, N.J./Delbarton School
Before Harvard:
Starting forward and/or midfielder on soccer varsity team at Delbarton School… Soccer co-captain senior year… First-team All-County in 2009…  First-team All-Conference in 2009… Tuxedo Park School, Lorillard Park Athlete of the Year… Member of Morris County champion team sophomore year… Two-time member of New Jersey state finalist team… Member of national champion team in 2007… New York Red Bull two-time State Champions, Regional Champions, and US Academy Finalist… Bronze Award for National Spanish Exam… Member of State Art Show… Member of Abbey Alter Association… Participated in high school toy and food drive.
 
Junot on Innocenzi: “Michael is a powerful attacking player with a nose for the goal.  Michael attended Delbarton HS in New Jersey and played club soccer for the New York Red Bulls.  Michael’s passion and competitive drive are expressed through his on field performance. I expect Michael to be an integral part of our attack for the next four years.  Michael was born in Mexico and raised in Italy and the United States.”   
 
 
Hiroki Kobayashi/Forward/Scarsdale, N.Y./Scarsdale
Before Harvard:
Four-year starter on varsity soccer team at Scarsdale High School… Soccer co-captain senior year… All-League 2008-2011… All-Conference 2008-2011… All-State 2008-2011… All American 2011… League MVP 2011… Journal News Player of the year 2011… Member of Sectional Champion team 2007 and 2011… Member of Sectional Finalist team 2008… Member of Regional Champion team 2011… Helped team reach the State semifinals, making it the longest run in school history… AP Physics Scholar 2011… Scored a personal record of 13 goals in 2008 and contributed 10 goals and 10 assists in 2010… Member of Varsity high school track team, setting the school record in the 55 meter run…Greenville Church volunteer, assisting ESL teachers teach English to students… International Club volunteer, helping organize the International Fair, Fashion Show, and International Lunch.
 
Junot on Kobayashi: “Hiroki is a among the most well rounded student athletes I have had the privilege of recruiting.  On top of being an All-State soccer player Hiroki is black belt in Karate and violinist in a symphony orchestra.  Hiroki played high school soccer for Scarsdale HS in New York and plays club soccer for FC Westchester.  Hiroki has played nearly every position on the field successfully.  I anticipate his maturity and talent will allow him to contribute to our program very early on.  Not only will he be quality player, but I foresee Hiroki being a great leader within our team as well.”

 

Matt Sheeleigh/Midfielder/Defender/New Vernon, N.J./The Pingry School
Before Harvard:
Four-year letterwinner at midfield and defense for the varsity soccer team ... Team captain senior year … Member of the PDA U-18 Academy in 2010-11 ... Named 2010 Somerset County Player of the Year ... Tabbed as Central New Jersey State Player of the Year ... Listed to the “Top Drawer Soccer” top 100 players for 2011 recruiting year ... Earned all-league and all-state honors ... Led The Pingry School to league and county championships all four years of high school ... Part of the US Development Academy PDA team since U-11 ... 2009 PDA Academy team placed fourth at USDA Finals ... Member of 2010 Development Academy Select Team ... Participated on the U.S. Men’s National Team for U-14, U-15 and U-18 ... Letterwinner on varsity squash team ... Volunteered at the Special Olympics in 2009 and ’10 ... Worked with the “Two Kids Foundation” as a volunteer in 2008, ’09 and ’10 ... Helped “Bridges Outreach” making meals for homeless in New York City during 2008, ’09 and ’10 ... Interned with the Children’s Tumor Foundation in May 2011 ... Enjoys snowboarding and squash.

Personal:
Sister, Katherine, played for the Harvard women’s soccer team from 2007-10 and was a three-time All-American, Ivy League Rookie of the Year (2007) and Ivy League Player of the Year (2010).

Junot on Sheeleigh: “Matt is a cerebral player that will surely be a standout for the Crimson.  Matt comes to us from The Pingry School in New Jersey where he has been coached by the highly successful Miller Bugliari.  Sheeleigh brings a wealth of experience to our program as his talents at the club and high school level have earned him experience with the U18 US National Team.  Matt’s composure as a soccer player will fit in nicely with our playing style.  I anticipate he  will contribute to our team on the defensive side of the ball from an early stage.  With the accomplishments of his sister here at Harvard he certainly has the right pedigree”.
 
 
Timothy Schmoll/Midfielder/Coppet, Switzerland/International School of Geneva
Before Harvard:
Starting midfielder on varsity soccer team all four seasons at International School of Geneva Soccer captain senior year… Soccer captain U18 team… High School Team MVP in 2010… Member of ADIS state champions team 2011…Honor roll member each quarter of high school.
 
Junot on Schmoll: “Tim is an international soccer player that comes to us from Geneva Switzerland where he attended the International School of Geneva, La Chataigneraie.  Tim brings a wealth of high school and club experience.  We are lucky to have Tim join us next year as he was courted by some of the top college soccer programs in the country.  Standing 6’4” tall Tim will add a physical presence to our team that opponents will struggle to deal with.  Schmoll is capable of playing any position down the center of the field from defender to attacking midfield.  I expect he will make an impact on our team right away.”