DENVER - The University of Denver men's soccer team will add seven new players to its roster for the 2011 season, head coach Bobby Muuss announced today.
DU's new class includes two of the College Soccer News Top 150 recruits, a Jamaican U17 National Team member and state players of the year from Kentucky, Colorado and Wyoming.
"I am very excited about this class and what they will bring to the continued development of our University of Denver program," Muuss said. "We were able to bring in excellent talent at the local, national and international level with this class, and have a group of players who are committed to reaching our program's goals throughout their four years. Most of all, we have a group of quality student-athletes coming in that posses the character and competitiveness that we look for in players in our program."
Denver's recruiting classes have been ranked in the College Soccer News Top 40 Recruiting Classes list in each of Muuss' three seasons at Denver, garnering No. 19, No. 18 and No. 34. Muuss plans to announce the addition of another student-athlete this spring.
The Pioneers lost just two starters from a team that captured the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship in 2010 and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, DU's second appearance in the last three years.
Oliver Brown
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 180
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Current Club: Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club
High School: St. Xavier High School
Club: 2010 Gatorade Kentucky State Player of the Year • played for Mockingbird Soccer Club • led team to USYSA Kentucky State Cup Championships in 2006, 2007 and 2010, adding an appearance at the USYSA Region II championships • attended University of Denver 2010 Winter ID Camp.
High School: Attended St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Ky. • named All-State twice (2009, 2010) • was Academic All-State 'A' in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 • earned All-Region and All-District honors in 2010 • helped lead St. Xavier to high school state championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009 • named as a top player in the state and regions starting 11 by ESPN Rise • NSCAA Scholastic All-American • NSCAA Scholastic All-Region IV.
Personal: Born November 16, 1992, in Louisville, Ky. • son of Shawn and Don Brown • has one brother, Clay, and one sister, Annie • enjoys snowboarding, basketball and reading • volunteered with Dare to Care and Habitats for Humanity • chose Denver because of connection with coaches, successful business school and academic nature of the University • plans on studying business and eventually going to law school • Also considered Colgate, Yale and Emory.
Coach Muuss on Brown: "Oliver is a goalkeeper we identified early on in the recruiting process as a potential replacement for Joe Willis, who's now with DC United. Oliver has great hands, is athletic, fearless and competitive. He also is a tremendous leader who carries all the attributes we look for in a DU player."
Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club Coach Jonathan Velotta on Brown: "Oliver Brown physically is a monster. He's got great hands, everything sticks to him. He's terrific out in the air. He makes some saves that you don't see goalkeepers make."
Ryan Dozier
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 140
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Current Club: Real Colorado US Developmental Academy
High School: Air Academy High School
Club: Ranked as the No. 55 recruit nationally by College Soccer News • played under coach Lorne Donaldson and coach Neil Payne with Real Colorado USSDA Team 2008-11 • named State Cup MVP in 2007 while playing for Colorado Pride Soccer Club.
High School: Named 4A Colorado State Player of the Year in 2010 • 4A First Team All-State • 4A First Team All-Region • helped lead Air Academy to 4A State Championship in 2010 • named conference player of the year, first team all-conference and Colorado Springs Gazette Prep Player of the Year in 2010 • earned Academic All-State First Team honors in 2010 • selected as 2010 MVP at Air Academy.
Personal: Born on March 11, 1993, in Colorado Springs, Colo. • son of Lisa and Neil Dozier • has one brother, Robbie, and one sister, Jaclyn • enjoys playing soccer and working out • chose Denver because of connection with soccer program and coaching staff, as well as the programs that DU offers • interested in pursuing physical therapy or psychology • member of National Honor Society and Air Academy Volunteer Organization • participated in Muscular Dystrophy fundraising soccer game and MDA Muscle walk • also considered Clemson, New Hampshire and Providence College.
Coach Muuss on Dozier: "Ryan has an extremely high work rate, has good technique, can cover a lot of ground in the midfield and is a leader through his play. Ryan is a winner, and we are excited to have his talent and mentality at the University of Denver."
Real Colorado executive director of coaching Lorne Donaldson on Dozier: "Ryan Dozier's tactical awareness, work ethic and positive character are refreshing and make coaching more fun. The environment that the DU Coaching staff has created will bring out the best in him."
Nate Esler
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 185
Hometown: St. Charles, Ill.
Current Club: Chicago Fire US Developmental Academy
High School: St. Charles East High School
Club: Played for Chicago Fire USSDA Team • previously played for Campton United • claimed the 2010 Illinois State Cup championship • played in the USYSA National League in 2009-10 • qualified for the 2009 U.S. Youth National Championship • 2009 Region II champion • won Midwest Regional League titles in 2009 and 2010 • allowed just 0.86 goals against in 2009, and lowered it to 0.71 in 2010 • Illinois State Cup Finalist in 2007-09.
Personal: Born November 20, 1992, in Chicago, Ill. • son of Dave and Christine Esler • has two sisters, Catey and Grace • enjoys golfing and playing the drums • chose Denver because he loved the location and campus, and it's where he felt most comfortable • also considered Southern Methodist, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Boston College and UNC-Wilmington • hopes to play professional soccer, followed by a quality job and good family life • was a member of the National Honor Society • junior coach for both golf and soccer in 2008-10.
Coach Muuss on Esler: "Nate is a goalkeeper we feel fortunate to have found late in the recruiting process. He has a lot of the tools we look for in our goalkeepers and has a strong desire to constantly improve his game. He has good size and is a great leader and continues to get better and better with every environment he competes in."
Chicago Fire coach Aron Hyde on Esler: "Nate joined the Chicago Fire Academy last season and quickly developed into one of our top goalkeepers within our academy program, as he has continued to work hard at the technical and tactical parts of his game. His attitude and dedication to working hard at his game will serve him well at the college level, and I have no doubt he will be a successful part of the DU soccer program."
Kasey Esponda
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 170
Hometown: Buffalo, Wyo.
Current Club: Wyoming Select
High School: Buffalo High School
Club: Plays for the Wyoming Select Club and Wyoming ODP team • played for Wyoming Select at Nomads 2010 • attended 2009 Region IV ODP Camp.
High School: Named Wyoming 3A State Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior, and currently is a candidate for 2011 Wyoming Gatorade State Player of the Year as a senior • led Buffalo HS to 2010 3A State Soccer Championship • scored 17 goals as a junior and 11 as a sophomore • named to All-Conference Team in 2008, 2009 and 2010 • named All-State First Team in 2009 and 2010 • also played basketball for four years, leading Buffalo High to state basketball championships in 2009 and 2011 • named to All-Conference and All-State teams 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Personal: Born August 18, 1992, in Sheridan, Wyo. • son of Mitchell and Wendy Esponda • has one brother, Mitchell • volunteers with Meals on Wheels and Peer Helpers • enjoys playing basketball and guitar • chose Denver because of its excellent academics and strong soccer program.
Coach Muuss on Esponda: "Kasey is a versatile player that brings a wealth of potential to the program. He was successful at several sports growing up, and we are looking forward to getting him into our fulltime soccer environment and watching him grow on and off the field."
Buffalo High School coach Dick Edgcomb on Esponda: "I think Kasey is the most complete player in the state of Wyoming. He's very skilled, is an accurate shooter from distance with either foot and has great field vision. If we ask him to defend, he's tenacious, and when we need offense, he creates. It's going to be very exciting to watch him develop at DU under Coach Muuss."
Brian Hoyt
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 135
Hometown: Tempe, Ariz.
Current Club: Real Salt Lake-AZ US Developmental Academy
High School: Corona Del Sol High School
Club: Ranked No. 147 recruit in the nation by College Soccer News • currently plays with Real Salt Lake USSDA Academy Team • previously played for Gilbert Soccer Club • named team MVP • helped lead Gilbert to the 2010 State Cup championship.
High School: Played three years for Corona del Sol High • named First Team All-Region, First Team All-City and All-State Honorable Mention • helped lead team to the Arizona state championship • named team MVP • also played golf and was named to First Team All-Region and MVP • chose to forgo his senior high school soccer season to compete with Real Salt Lake Academy.
Personal: Born on August 24, 1993, in Tempe, Ariz. • son of Shelly and John Hoyt • has one sister, Kelsey • enjoys playing golf and snowboarding • chose Denver because of the environment of the school and the area • hopes to become a professional soccer player or physical therapist • belonged to National Honor Society and East Valley Boys Service Club • also considered Wake Forest, New Mexico, UC Irvine and Harvard.
Coach Muuss on Hoyt: "Brian, in my opinion, at the youth level is one of the best pure soccer players in the country. He is a linking player who makes good decisions with the ball and is technically superb. He is a soccer junkie who has flourished in the Real Salt Lake Academy system."
Real Salt Lake-AZ Coach Mikey Munoz on Hoyt: "Brian Hoyt was a hidden gem in this country, and RSL-AZ was very lucky to be able to sign a player of his quality and demeanor to our program. He is the prototype holding midfielder that does all the dirty work for the team that may go undetected in matches yet is a vital part of our team's success. You wish you could put 11 players like him on the field at once."
Taylor Hunter
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 160
Hometown: Aurora, Colo.
Current Club: Real Colorado US Developmental Academy
High School: Grandview High School
Club: Plays for Real Colorado USSDA Team • played for Colorado State ODP from 2006-08 • helped lead his team to the Colorado State Cup championship in 2008.
High School: Attended Grandview High School in Aurora, Colo. • named to Second Team All-State 2010 • selected to First Team All-Centennial Conference and First Team All-City Aurora in 2009 and 2010 • also named First Team Academic All-State in 2009 and 2010 • voted Grandview Wolves Player of the Year.
Personal: Born July 7, 1993, in Aurora, Colo. • son of Kristi and Jeffrey Hunter • has one brother, Trevor, and one sister, Chelsea • enjoys playing basketball • chose Denver because of location, prestigious academics and committed coaching staff • pursuing a career in business or engineering • also considered Wake Forest, Cincinnati, New Hampshire and Richmond.
Coach Muuss on Hunter: "Taylor is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and has good athleticism, a balance we like in players along our back line. He has quite a bit of versatility in his game and will fit in very well with our style of play."
Real Colorado executive director of coaching Lorne Donaldson on Hunter: "The athletic Taylor Hunter will bring speed, energy and a positive attitude to a strong DU squad that will continue to challenge in NCAA playoff play."
Romario Williams
Height: 5'10
Weight: 178
Hometown: St Catherine, Jamaica
Current Club: Jamaica U17 National Team / Cavaliers F.C.
High School: Kingston College
Club/School: Member of the Jamaican U17 National team and Kingston College school boys team • played in every game for the Jamaican U17 National Team at the CONCACAF Qualifiers for the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup, starting 4 of the 5 matches • helped Jamaica qualify for the 2011 U17 World Cup • played for youth teams Barbican F.C, Harbour View F.C. and Cavaliers F.C. • also competes in track at Kingston College.
Personal: Born on August 15, 1994, in Jamaica • son of Andrea Matthews and Patrick Williams • father and uncle played professional soccer in Jamaica • has two older brothers: Joel Williams, who plays professionally for Boys Town in Jamaica's Digicel Premier League, and Allando Minott, who plays club cricket for division I team Lucas C.C.
Coach Muuss on Williams: "Romario had an excellent showing starting for the Jamaican U17 National team in leading them to qualify for the 2011 World Cup this summer in Mexico. He has great technique, is clever with the ball at his feet and also has shown a knack for scoring goals. We are very excited to add a player of his abilities and international experience to our program."
