FAIRFAX, Va. – With the 2013 season rapidly approaching, the George Mason men's soccer program and Head Coach Greg Andrulis recently announced the addition of 13 players to its roster.
Joining the Patriots this season are freshman Colton Amidon, Nick Bourbonnais, Jacob Creamer, Mason Fish, David Galdo, Zachary Herstek, Daniel Hoffmann, Cullen Hunter, Steffan Kraus, Conor Nogueira and Matt Tucker, in addition to transfers CJ Corey (Towson) and Jannik Eckenrode (Radford).
“We are very excited about the quality student athletes who are joining our program this year,” said Head Coach Greg Andrulis. “This is our most eclectic class of players in years. If there is a common thread it's that they are all quality people from great families with outstanding soccer and academic backgrounds.
“Our assistant coaches John O'Hara and Trevor Singer were diligent in the pursuit of players that met the rigorous standards expected of student-athletes at George Mason. We are looking forward to working with these outstanding young men as they pursue their goals and dreams.”
In addition to being a talented group, many of the newcomers also have experience playing together at a high level of competition. Fish, Galdo and Noguiera all played for the US Soccer Development Academy team in McLean, coached by Mason alumnus Eddie Beach.
A native of Nazareth, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Nazareth Area HS, Amidon was a two-year letterwinner for the Blue Eagles. As a sophomore, he earned First Team All-Lehigh Valley accolades while leading the conference in assists as a center-mid. Amidon was a member of the Philadelphia Union Academy in 2011-12, leading the U16 squad in goals and assists, and went on to play for the FC Delco Academy from 2011-13 where last season he posted the highest start rate among midfielder and forwards. He also took part in the US Soccer Development Academy League in 2011-12 and 2012-13. This summer Amidon claimed a USYSA U19 National Championship with his club team, Lehigh Valley United.
Hailing from Bristow, Virginia, Bourbonnais earned four letters at Osbourn Park, where he was a first team all-region and all-district selection. He also played for PWSI and competed in four Virginia state cup championships, taking home two titles.
Creamer comes to Mason from Midlothian, Virginia where he was a four-year letterwinner at Midlothian HS. Taking home all-district accolades as a sophomore and junior, Creamer missed a part of his senior campaign with an injury. He led the Trojans to back-to-back district championships as a captain during his junior and senior seasons, while the team advanced to the state semifinals this past spring. Creamer spent eight year playing club soccer with FC Richmond.
Another local player, Fish hails from Manassas and Osbourn Park High School. Starting in goal for the Yellow Jackets, he was a part of the 2009 and 2010 Virginia State and Region I international travel teams, capturing a regional title in 2010. In 2008 he participated in the National Identification Training Camp, and also spent 2010-13 with the US Soccer Development Academy of DC United and McLean.
Arriving from nearby Arlington, Galdo earned three letters at McLean High School. He helped the team capture a district championships as a freshman and also received honorable mention accolades over three seasons in addition to being a standout track and field athlete.
Herstek hails from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was a three-time letterwinner at Trinity HS. Totaling 81 career goals and leading the team in scoring each year, he collected first team all-conference accolades all three seasons and was also named the Mid Penn Conference Player of the Year as a freshman in addition to all-state honors. As a member of the PA Classics Academy, Herstek was the 2010 and 2011 leading goal scorer, while the team finished as the USSDA U16 national championship runner-up.
The first of two international students, Hoffmann is coming to Mason from Gifhorn, Germany where he attended Humboldt-Gymnasium Gifhorn. Also competing at the club level, he was a member of MTV Gifhorn for six years, VfL Wolfsburg for four years and Eintracht Braunschweig for two years.
A native of Ashburn, Hunter was a three-year letterwinner at Broad Run High School. Serving as the Spartans' team captain as a junior and senior, he was named first team all-district in each of those seasons.
Another native of Germany, Steff Kraus comes to Mason from Stuttgart, Germany where he attended Johann Friedrich von Coffa Schule. He also played for VFB Stuttgart from 2005 to 2012 and Stuttgart Kruhers from 2012-13.
Another product of Osbourn Park HS in Manassas, Nogueira earned second team All-Cardinal District honors in 2011.
Coming to Mason from Irondequoit, New York, Tucker played at Irondequoit High School where he was named team MVP as a junior. During his high school career he also collected first team all-county and honorable mention all-greater Rochester accolades in addition to being a scholar-athlete. Tucker currently holds the school record for goals in a season (17) and helped the squad to its first ever sectional title.
Transferring from Towson, Corey appeared in all 16 matches for the Tigers with 15 starts in 2012. He finished tied for third on the team in scoring with four points on a goal and two assists, added to one assist tallied as a freshman. A native of Reston, Corey lettered all four years at Bishop O'Connell, serving as a team captain during his junior and senior seasons. He earned first team all-conference honors as a senior in addition to being named the team MVP, finishing his HS career with 15 goals and 10 assists. Corey played with the Arlington Venom for six years, serving as a captain for five of those years while taking home a Virginia State Cup Championship in 2010.
Another transfer, Eckenrode comes to Mason from Radford where he played one season with the Highlanders. He finished his rookie campaign tied for the team lead with five assists and tied for fifth in overall scoring with seven points (1g, 5a). Playing in 19 games with 18 starts, he was named to the freshman All-Big South squad in addition to setting a school record for minutes played as a freshman. A product of West Springfield HS, Eckenrode was a four-year letterwinner with the Spartans. He collected numerous postseason accolades during his high school career, including three first team all-district selections, two first team all-region selections, two first team All-Met selections and was tabbed as the 2011 Patriot District Player of the Year. Eckenrode captained the Annandale United club team to back-to-back state championships in 2010 and 2011 and also served as captain of the U18 DC United Academy team, where he played with fellow Mason student-athletes Ryan Harmouche and Edgar Zepeda.
