Huskies Welcome 13 Newcomers to the Program

STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's soccer team has announced the addition of 13 incoming players, including 11 student-athletes to make up the Class of 2022, as the group that will join the Huskies for the fall season in 2018. Five players are from Connecticut and four come from outside the United States.

Coming off an appearance in the American Athletic Conference semifinals, the Huskies welcome the newcomers to join an experienced group under head coach Ray Reid. Two players transfer to UConn from the University of Charleston and Hartwick College.

"Every year on the recruiting trail you are trying to replace the players that have graduated and enhance the team from the year before," said associate head coach Mike Miller. "I believe that we have done that in this class. Recruiting classes are judged at the conclusion of the class' career and I believe these guys will achieve a lot on and off the field during their time in Storrs. I am excited to work with them."

"We are very excited about this class," added Reid. "Coach Miller has done a great job of putting it together."

Meet each newcomer below, with the complete 2018 roster available HERE.

(Name, Hometown, Last School/Team)
Robin Lapert | Le Havre, France | University of Charleston
Transferred to UConn from the University of Charleston, a Division II program that won the National Championship in 2017…Started in 21 games, accounting for five goals, one assist and 11 points as a defender…Recorded a season-best three points against Tiffin (Sept. 10) with a goal and assist…Attended the University of Nanterre, a prep school in France, and Lycee Jeanne d'arc, Le Havre (high school) before coming to the United States.

Gianluca Catalano | Woodbridge, Ontario | Bill Crothers Secondary School
Member of the Toronto FC organization since 2012…Made four starts in five appearances with Toronto FC II in 2018, recording 20 saves…Finished in second place in the U-21 Ontario Soccer League in 2015…Starting keeper in Italian Serie A in Viareggio Cup Tournament, including a 1-1 tie against Juventus FC (Primavera)…Starting goalie at Dallas Cup, played in top Gordon Jago Super Group (U-19)…Started for the Canadian National Team at U-17 CONCACAF Championship in Panama…Won International Youth Soccer Cup (U-17) with 2-1 win vs. Juventus FC…Attended Bill Crothers Secondary School.

Arthur Silva | Bethel, Conn. | Bethel High School
Played with the Beachside Soccer Club in Bridgeport for four years, as part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy…Served as captain of the U-16 Pre-Academy and U-19 teams…Started 13 of 14 game appearances for Beachside SC U-18/19 this past season…Honor roll student at Bethel High School…Earned one varsity letter as a basketball player at Bethel.

Ryan Greenberg | Tolland, Conn. | Tolland High School
Earned four varsity letters for soccer at Tolland High School…Served as team captain in 2017…2016 and 2017 New England Soccer Journal – Top 5 Connecticut High School Players to Watch…All-Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) in 2015 and 2016…Class M First Team All-State in 2015 and 2016…Won 2015 Class M State Championship and was a 2014 Class M State Runner-Up…Member of the FSA FC organization, recently earning FC DELCO Players Cup Champion and EDP Open Cup Finalist in 2017…Honor Roll student at Tolland and part of the High School Peer Mentoring Program and Voices Leadership Program…2015 and 2016 All-CCC Academic.

Cristian Suvak | Winchester, Mass. | Winchester High School
Played for the New England Aztec in the National Premiere League…Former member of the U-15/U-16 FC Boston Bolts…Earned two varsity soccer letters at Winchester High School, being named a Middlesex League All-Star.

Keith Dixon | Storrs, Conn. | E.O. Smith High School
Played with Oakwood SC, a team based out of Glastonbury, Conn….2016 National Semifinalist and Pre-Academy Champions…Earned two letters in indoor track at E.O. Smith…High Honor Roll and National Honors Society member.

Sean Martin, Jr. | Bridgeport, Conn. | Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet School
Played for the Beachside Soccer Club as part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy…Started six games in seven total appearances for Beachside SC U-18/19 this past season…Started 17 of 19 game appearances for the U-17/18 team in 2016-17…Attended South Kent for prep school, after graduating from Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet School.

Ibrahima Diop | Pennington, N.J. | The Pennington School
Attended the Pennington School and was a two-time All-American, playing in the Boys High School All-American Game last December in Orlando…Named 2017-18 First Team All-American by American Family Insurance…Called into the Senegalese U-20's for two qualifying matches against Congo…Two-time Times of Trenton Boys Soccer Area Player of the Year…Accounted for 59 goals and 25 assists at Pennington…All-Prep and All-State in 2016 and 2017…Served as captain for one season…No. 87 ranked recruit, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com…Selected All-USA Preseason Boys Soccer Team for 2017-18, as chosen by USA Today…Originally from Saint-Louis, Senegal.

Shane Keenan | Hazlet, N.J. | Christian Brothers Academy
Played goalie at Christian Brothers Academy…Named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches Fall Boys High School All-East Region Team…Chosen to participate in the Boys High School All-American Game last December in Orlando…16 shutouts in 24 games as goalkeeper…Broke the school record and tied state record for number of shutouts.

Steffen Yeates | Toronto, Ontario | Vaughan Secondary School
Member of the Toronto FC organization and Canadian U-17 National Team player…Logged 196 minutes in four appearances for Toronto FC II, recording one assists at the midfield position…Represented Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Panama…Attended Vaughan Secondary School.

Connor Fitzgerald | Monroe, Conn. | Fairfield Prep
Played with Everton FC Westchester as a defender…Recently played on the U-18/19 team, starting in 23 games and accounting for one goal…Earned one varsity letter for soccer at Fairfield Prep.

Alex Patz | Ithaca, N.Y. | Hartwick College
Coming off his freshman season at Hartwick College…Appeared in eight matches, starting against Bryant on Sept. 30…Attended Ithaca High School and helped team to New York State AA Final Four in 2014 and 2015…NSCAA All-East Region Team and All-NYS Team in 2016…Received Phillip S. Wilder Jr. award for academic distinction.

Felix Metzler | Frankfurt, Germany | Stuttgarter Kickers
Played for the Stuttgarter Kickers in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg…Appeared in five matches for Stuttgarter from August, 2016 to May, 2017, accumulating 79 minutes of on-field time…Prior to his stint with Stuttgarter, he played for Stuttgarter Kickers II, FC Eschborn and FSV Frankfurt II.

University of Connecticut Athletics

Players Mentioned

Gianluca Catalano

Ibrahima Diop

Keith Dixon

Connor Fitzgerald

Ryan Greenberg

Shane Keenan

Robin Lapert

Sean Martin, Jr.

Felix Metzler

Alex Patz

Arthur Silva

Cristian Suvak

Steffen Yeates

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