FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason men's soccer team has added three more incoming freshmen with strong backgrounds and a bevy of experiences to the 2016 signing class.
Midfielder Grant Robinson and forwards Miles Jackson and Lewis Long have signed National Letters of Intent to play with the Patriots, head coach Greg Andrulis announced. The trio adds to an already strong signing class that includes incoming freshmen Tunde Akinlosotu, Nick Malinowski and Ryan Mingachos along with Division I transfers Tolu Ibikunle and Graydon Hester.
“(Assistant coach and recruiting coordinator) Trevor Singer has done a terrific job assembling an outstanding recruiting class who will represent George Mason at the highest level on and off the field,” Andrulis said. “Grant is a significant addition to our 2016 recruiting class. In addition to his impressive soccer pedigree, he comes from a great family and is a terrific young man. We are excited and look forward to welcoming Grant to the Mason family… Jackson and Lewis are both wonderful young men that we are looking forward to having part of our team this fall. They both have a knack for scoring goals and we think they have a bright future with George Mason soccer.”
Grant Robinson, Midfielder, Columbia, Md., Loyola-Blakefield
Grant Robinson has played for the DC United Academy, trained with the DC United MLS First Team and just a couple months ago he was called up onto the U.S. U19 Men's National Team for the Copa de Atlantico tournament.
The 5-foot-9 midfielder from Columbia, Md., is just two months removed from playing for the U.S. Men's National Team in the Copa de Athletico tournament in Canary Islands, Spain. He was one of 23 players to make the team, which played France, Spain and Canary Islands.
Robinson was highly touted as a member of the 2016 Boys IMG Academy 150 Player Pool and the 2016 College Soccer News Top 160 selection.
He has played his club ball for DC United U18 USSF Academy and was a USYSA national champion in 2014 and 2015. In addition, he has trained with the DC United MLS First Team on numerous occasions.
Jackson Miles, Forward, Hampton, Va., Bethel High School
Just by signing his National Letter of Intent, Jackson Miles has already made history. He becomes the first student at Bethel High School to ever commit to play Division I men's soccer. The 5-foot-9 forward wreaked havoc on opponents the last four years, leading Bethel in goals and assists every year. He was a four-year starter and earned first team all-conference honors.
On the club level, in four years, he helped Virginia Rush to 11 tournament championships, most notably winning a title at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. He also scored more than 25 goals every season and helped the Rush reach the State Cup quarterfinals and semifinals.
Lewis Long, Forward, Woodbridge, Va., Forest Park High School
Local product Lewis Long is in the midst of his senior season after a strong junior campaign in 2015. The 5-foot-10 forward was named to the all-state first team and was tabbed the District Player of the Year. Forest Park's 2015 Team MVP also earned regional first-team honors and All-Met first-team accolades from the Washington Post.
Long, a co-captain this spring and a four-year starter, also spent 10 years with the Southwestern Youth Association Strikers travel soccer team. In addition, he has also trained with the West Ham Academy out of England.
