Spartan Recruit Report: Men's Soccer Welcomes Twelve New Faces to Sparkill for 2020-21 Season

Posted: Jul 28, 2020

The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Soccer team welcomes twelve new talented athletes for the 2020-21 season, while the Spartans say goodbye to nine dedicated, hard working seniors; Jack Hanlon, Tylor Saravia, Lachlan Wilkinson, Jonathan Garces, Nicholas Fiore, Jose Robles, Devin Lukeman, Cameron Turner and Elias Kallianiotis, who graduated this past spring.

"We are thrilled to sign twelve guys who we think will have a big impact on our program both on and off the field" said Men's Soccer Head Coach Graham Brown. "All twelve have the ability, desire, and vision to sustain and build upon the progress that has been made to the STAC Soccer program."

Coach Brown continued, "Thanks to our excellent coaching staff, we did not face any recruiting limitations due to the Coronavirus restrictions on travel and face-to-face communication, as the staff and I had done the majority of the recruiting work by March. When we get the safe go-ahead to return to campus, we are excited to add these guys to a very strong group of returning players." The future Spartans come to us by way of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, England, Canada and Sweden.

We are also looking forward to having a great year in the memory of our never forgotten teammate, Eric Birighitti. We all miss his smiling face and positive attitude and we are determined to honor him in a manner that would make him proud.

Here is a look at the future STAC Class of 2024 alphabetically.

Lucas Abusin

Lucas Abusin: Midfield/Forward, Queen Ethelburga's College

Lucas is an attacking midfielder from England. A very important player at Queen Ethelburga's College, Lucas commented on coming to St Thomas Aquinas College, "I can't wait to get started at STAC, where hopefully we can be successful next season. I am looking forward to aiding the team by bringing goals and linking up the play, so that we can win as many games as possible. As well as this, I'm focused in developing my skills so that I can be a greater asset to our side. Aside from the soccer, I'm eager to start my studies so I can not only grow as an athlete but as a mature, independent student as well."

Coach Brown believes that Lucas brings a lot of experience to the team, "We feel that Lucas has a lot of top soccer experience, which we know he is eager to display here at St. Thomas Aquinas, and we also like the well-rounded manner in how he carries himself."

Benjamin Allen

Benjamin Allen: Goalkeeper, Our Savior New American School

Ben Allen is a 6'3" goalkeeper coming to STAC from Our Savior New American School in New York and a starter for LGN United. "I hope i can be a strong voice on this team that people can hear and have confidence in, and I am to become the best student I can be while I attend STAC."

Coach Brown said, "We believe that Ben will be a massive member of our soccer program, as his work ethic is amazing and his teammates will notice that immediately upon his arrival to Sparkill."

Gianfranco Banca

Gianfranco Banca: Midfield, Archbishop Molloy High School

Gianfranco is a 5' 9" attacking midfielder, coming to STAC from Archbishop Molloy High School in New York and a starter for the excellent Flushing NY club BW Gottschee. "I am looking forward to bringing my creativity, pace, and hard work to the St. Thomas Aquinas midfield and forward positions in search of developing myself as a player and aiding the team to a successful season. I remain focused in this preseason, looking to be as fit and ready as possible for whenever our season may be. I look forward to also becoming the best student I can be at STAC in order to grow into the most responsible person that I can be along with obtaining as much knowledge as I can in hopes of becoming a physical therapist", said Banca.

Coach Brown: "We have watched Gianfranco play many times and have had nothing but praise from his coaches about his whole character and ability. We are delighted to attain his signature".

Kevin Carabali

Kevin Carabali: Defense, Norwalk High School

Kevin Carabali comes to STAC by way of Norwalk High School in Connecticut. From his experience at New York Soccer Club's Academy to the NHS Bears Varsity Team, "I have enhanced my mental and physical strength, brought creativity, composure and overall maintained my commitment to my athletic family", said Carabali.

Outside of the field, Kevin is as equally committed to acquire as much knowledge to excel as an entrepreneur. "I want to take these four years to grow as a player, but most importantly to mature as a young man", said Carabali. Coach Brown believes that Kevin's views and visions are very mature and extremely self motivated from a sports and a life-learning prospective. "I have been very impressed by this young man on and off of the field, mature beyond his age and a very talented young player." said Coach Brown.

Leonardo Castaldi

Leonardo Castaldi: Forward, Walter L. Sickles High School

Leonardo is a 6'0" forward coming to STAC from Walter L. Sickles High School, Florida and a forward for the Florida Club FC Tampa. "I am looking forward to bringing my creativity, hard work, and experience to the St. Thomas Aquinas forward positions, in search of developing myself as a player and helping the team to become successful. I remain focused in this preseason looking to be as fit and ready as possible for whenever our season may start. I look forward to also becoming the greatest student I can be at STAC in order to grow into the most responsible person that I can be along with gaining as much knowledge as I can in hopes of becoming an IT Professional", said Castaldi.

Coach Brown said, "Leonardo is a young man I have watched on numerous occasions and have spoken to many of his coaches, so I am confident that this young man will make a good impact to our program here at STAC."

Felix Davies

Felix Davies: Goalkeeper, Woking F.C. Academy

Originally from Basingstoke, England, Davies excelled in the English game spending time in his youth career with Reading F.C. and built a reputation for himself at first team level with Conference National side, Woking F.C., amassing 100+ senior appearances at non-league level aged just 19 years old. A fantastic distributor and shot stopper, standing at 6'3", Davies looks to have a massive impact on the team. On joining STAC Davies said, "I had plenty of options coming into this season, both in the U.S. and back home, but the aspirations for this season shown by Coach Brown and his staff, along with how clear they made it that they wanted me here in New York made this an opportunity I could not refuse. I believe I have the ability to have a real impact here and I hope to lead the team to a record breaking season."

Coach Brown commented, "Ability, drive, experience, character and confidence, what more can you ask for in a keeper. Felix will give his teammates 150% for the win, an excellent signing for the Spartans."

Daniel Dougill

Daniel Dougill: Defense/Midfield, William Woods University

Daniel is an English defender/midfielder, joining STAC as a transfer student from William Woods University in Missouri. Daniel commented "I have chosen to continue my soccer and education at STAC due to the high ambitions of the soccer program, the good reputation of the business courses and the location of the campus. I hope to bring passion and leadership to our squad, who I am excited to have a successful season with".

Coach Brown commented "Daniel's intensity and motivation is through the roof, we like that in our players and as such we are well pleased with getting his name on our roster."

Benjamin Lidh

Benjamin Lidh: Defense, Sannarpsgymnasiet High School

Benjamin is a six foot, central defender who can also play wide defence. He was the captain at top Swedish club Halmstads BK's U19 team and a regular player for their U21 team. Benjamin Commented: "The reason why I choose STAC is that it seems like a really good college in many ways. I want to be a part of a group that can feel like a family, and I think STAC can bring that to me. Coach Brown was also a big part of my decision to join STAC, he seems to have a vision of soccer that can suit my style of play and his belief in me can hopefully develop me on the soccer-field to a new level. Cant wait to get the season started!"

Coach Brown on Benjamin's signing, "Lindh is a great team player, the fact that a top elite team like Halmstads BK, made him Captain of their U19s speaks volumes for his ability and attitude. I know Halmstads very well and know they are an excellent club, so this is a very good pick up for us."

Adrian Sanchez

Adrian Sanchez: Forward/Midfield, Sussex County Community College

Adrian is a 5'9" forward transferring from Sussex County Community College in New Jersey, and played previously in top 5 academy in the world MTK Budapest and has also played in DA academy with PDA. Adrian had a very successful season at SCCC and was named an All-American, Region XIX Player of the Year, 1st team All-Region, and 1st team All-Conference, as well as making the NJCAA National Tournament.

"I am looking forward to bringing a very positive and winning attitude to STAC. Winning the conference and making the national tournament is an expectation for me and I believe all my abilities will help achieve that. "I believe in these next two years that we will leave a really high standard for the years to come", said Sanchez. Coach Brown said, "Adrian is a game changer, it is as simple as that he oozes soccer from every bone and muscle in his body, an absolutely fantastic signing for the Spartan Men's Soccer team."

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith: Midfield, Brentwood School

Cameron is a versatile midfield player, able to play centrally or wide. From Essex, England, he played most of his amateur soccer for Grays Athletic FC. "I chose STAC as I felt the coaching staff really wanted to recruit me to be a vital part of the team. The coach was constantly in contact with me throughout the whole process, which made me feel very welcome and looked after. Offering the chance to play soccer at this level, as well as continuing my studies was an easy decision that STAC was the right place for me." commented Cameron.

Coach Brown: "We are delighted to pick up this signing, we like everything about him; his attitude, his passion and his desire for the whole team to be successful."

Evangelos Zografos

Evangelos Zografos: Forward, Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute

One of this year's "sleeper" additions to the Spartans Roster, Angelo brings with him to STAC generations of actual Spartan heritage along with the passion and sheer dedication, both on and off of the field.

As the Spartans once said " I'll carry my shield into battle for a National Championship or my Teammates carry me back on it!" "Let's just say, I wholeheartedly couldn't be prouder to be a Spartan representing STAC", said Zografos. Coach Brown commented on Angelo, "This young man comes from the excellent Canadian soccer family of Bobby Graham's fantastic soccer Winstars Academy, a program that has sent excellent players to every top NCAA program in the U.S., I have chatted to Bobby several times about Angelo and have had nothing but good vibes and comments about his ability and attitude."

Enton Zotaj

Enton Zotaj: Defense, Dumont High School

Enton is a solid defender who normally plays central defence, but can also slip into the wide defensive areas. A Young man from Dumont, New Jersey who has been a successful member of the ECNL, World Class F.C.. Coach Brown commented, "We know Enton very well, as he plays locally only a few miles from our campus. A strong lad who gets the job done. We are looking forward to seeing him bringing his 'A' game to the STAC Spartans program."

Zotaj commented, "To become a STAC participant, I am proud and honored to be part of such a magnificent school and team. I am an immigrant from Albania, and ever since I have settled in this land it was my goal to become a great soccer player and to be admired not just as an athlete, but also as a student. The STAC staff has immensely helped me to achieve this goal, and I am more than exited to show everyone what I am capable of on and off the pitch."