CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois men's soccer head coach Adam Howarth has announced one of the largest recruiting classes of his tenure, unveiling the names of nine incoming players set to join the Panthers in the fall for the upcoming 2010 season.

 

Those committing to attend EIU and play for the Panthers includes: Zak Epplette (Coquitlam, British Columbia/Archbishop Carney), Tyler Kelley (Naperville/Naperville Central), Cameron Lauchner (Edwardsville/Edwardsville), Brandon Loncar (Naperville/Neuqua Valley), Graham Lynch (Finglas, Ireland/Northern Iowa Area CC), Alexis Nattee (Camberley, England/Hampton), Colin Rook (Naperville/Naperville Central), Shawn Singh (Buffalo Grove/Stevenson) and Ryan Tinsley (St. Charles, Mo./Christian Brothers).

Player Recaps & Pictures

 

Largely a defensive-minded recruiting class, Lauchner and Loncar are the only players projected as midfielder/forward. Nattee, Rook and Tinsley are expected to compete for time as defenders. Epplette, Lynch and Singh could see action as defenders or midfielders. Kelley is a goalkeeper.

 

Epplette, Kelley, Lynch and Nattee are all at least 6-foot-2, bringing size to the program.

 

Kelley and Rook were teammates at Naperville Central High School, where they played with current Panther Jerry Maddi.

 

Meanwhile, Howarth has continued to maintain an international presence among the program with the addition of Epplette (Canada), Lynch (Ireland) and Nattee (England). With Alex Harrison and Ryan Child returning for the 2010 season, EIU is expected to again have three Englishmen on the roster. The Panthers have not had a Canadian on the team since 2003.

 

“This is a very capable class that will give the current players a run for their money,” Howarth said. “I am excited to see their ability on the field, but I also believe that they will bring a considerable amount of success in the classroom as well. All of the recruits are strong student-athletes and will continue our tradition of excelling both on the pitch and off it. I am still looking to add another player or two to the class and look forward to a great group of student-athletes joining the panther family in 2010.”

 

Epplette captained his high school team to the provincial finals and was named his senior class's Male Athlete of the Year after being a three-time MVP in soccer and track and field. He was also named the 2009 MVP of his Port Moody club team.

 

As a high school senior in 2008, Kelley set Naperville Central records for goals against average and career shutouts. He helped Naperville Central hold the No. 1 ranking in the state for eight weeks and led club teams to runner-up finishes at the State Cup in 2004 and 2008.

 

Lauchner was named the 2009 Large School Player of the Year by the Alton Telegraph after leading the area with 18 goals and 16 assists. As a four-year varsity starter, he helped lead Edwardsville High School to second- and fourth-place finishes in the IHSA state tournament in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

 

Loncar scored 10 goals in 2009 for his Neuqua Valley High School team that was 28-0 until getting upset in the supersectionals of the IHSA state tournament. Neuqua was also ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the country. As a high school underclassman, he got the chance to travel to both Germany and Spain for games and training.

 

Lynch was a 2009 NJCAA Second Team All-American at Northern Iowa Area Community College after contributing six goals and five assists as a central defender. He scored 12 goals and tallied 15 assists as a freshman to rank among the NJCAA Top 20 nationally en route to Honorable Mention All-America honors.

 

Nattee is currently a center back at one of England's most prestigious high schools. He helped lead Hampton to the 2010 Trinity Cup championship, a premier tournament for independent schools played in London. He also played three seasons for the Surrey Elite squad.

 

Rook served as a co-captain for his Naperville Central High School and Chicago Fire Juniors club teams. He contributed five goals and four assists as a defensive midfielder his senior season at Naperville Central, earning All-Sectional honors from the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association.

 

Singh recorded nine goals and 15 assists as a sweeper during his senior season at Stevenson High School to finish his prep career with 20 goals and 26 assists. The two-time Daily Herald All-Area selection led a Stevenson defensive unit that surrendered only 13 goals in 2009, the fewest in school history.

 

Tinsley was an All-State selection in Missouri as a senior in the spring of 2010, helping lead Christian Brothers to the Class 3 MSHSAA state title. He also earned All-Metro St. Louis honors as a sophomore and junior.

 

 

Captained Archbishop Carney to the provincial finals… three-time MVP in track and field and soccer was named the top male athlete of his senior class… named MVP of his 2009 Port Moody club team… qualified for the 2009 provincial championships in cross country… coach Howarth says: “Zak is a fantastic athlete as shown by his credentials. He brings a great presence on the field and has the ability to make things happen from his central defensive position. He has a strong commitment to the game, and like our athletes in this class, is a very strong student. He too will push our current backs and I am sure will have an impact on the team this fall.”

 

 

As a senior in 2008, set Naperville Central records for goals against average and career shutouts… helped lead Naperville Central to a regional championship and into the sectional finals in 2007 and 2008… 2008 Preseason All-State by the Naperville Sun and Chicago Tribune… Naperville Central was ranked No. 1 in the state for eight straight weeks and as high as fifth nationally in 2008… helped lead his club teams to runner-up finishes in the State Cup in 2004 (Windy City Pride SC) and 2008 (Ajax)… coach Howarth says: “I am very excited to have Tyler as part of my program. He has had a distinguished club and high school career and I feel will be a force in goal for us. He will bring a strong competitive spirit with a good ability to shot stop. He will push our core of goalkeepers to their limit and I see our GK position being a position where we have great depth. Tyler will be a great addition to the Panther family along with reuniting with two high school (Jerry Maddi, Colin Rook) teammates.”

 

 

2009 Alton Telegraph Large School Player of the Year after leading the Southwestern Conference with 18 goals and 16 assists… Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association and ESPN Rise All-State selection as a senior… three-time all-conference and two-time all-area honoree… four-year varsity starter was team captain and MVP in 2009… helped lead Edwardsville to second- and fourth-place finishes in the IHSA state tournament in 2008 and 2009, respectively… attended EIU's summer soccer camps and Futsal indoor clinics… coach Howarth says: “Cam has improved each year and I have seen him develop into a player who was vital to the success of his high school team this past year. He scored some big goals in big games and I look forward to him doing the same thing at our level. He has fantastic athletic ability and is blessed with a good turn of pace. Cam will bring a lot to our team this fall.”

 

Scored 10 goals as a senior in 2009 for his Neuqua Valley team that was 28-0 until getting upset in the supersectionals of the IHSA state tournament… Neuqua was also ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in country… joined the varsity team for the state finals as a sophomore… as a high school underclassman got the chance to travel to both Germany and Spain for games and training… played for the American Soccer club team that won the 12-and-under state tournament… coach Howarth says: “Brandon has a good upside to him. He is left footed and has a free spirit with the ball that allows him to take players on. He is crafty with the ball and will give us some options on the outside and even up top. I look forward to him buckling down and working hard both in and out of the classroom. He has strong ties to EIU and that will help him be successful.”

 

Earned NJCAA Second Team All-American and All-Region XI honors in 2009 after contributing six goals and five assists from a central defensive position and team captain… was an NJCAA honorable mention All-American and All-Region selection in 2008… scored 12 goals and registered 15 assists in 2008 to rank among the Top 20 nationally… coach Howarth says: “Graham brings a lot of valuable attributes to the table. He is aggressive, composed and has the ability to score goals. As a defender he will bring maturity to our back line and be a great organizer. He is a winner and I expect him to bring that same attitude every day to our training and matches. He will impact our team right away.”

 

 

As a starting center back at Hampton, helped lead his team to the 2010 Trinity Cup championship, a premier tournament based in London for independent schools)… also helped his team win the 2010 Surrey County cup… in 2009, competed in the Gothia Cup, losing the quarterfinals to the eventual champions… coach Howarth says: “Alexis is currently playing at one of England's most prestigious high schools. He is a strong center back who reads the game very well and has the ability to break up things in the middle of the park. Not only is he a good player, he is also a top-notch student. He will be a commanding presence and I look forward to his impact on the team this fall.”

 

 

As a co-captain in 2009 at Naperville Central, contributed five goals and four assists while playing a defensive midfield position… helped lead Naperville Central to a the regional championship… Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-Sectional and honorable mention all-area as a senior… two-time co-captain and starting center back for the Chicago Fire Juniors… helped the Fire Juniors finish as the runner-up at the State Cup and Region II tournament (losing on penalty kicks)… coach Howarth says: “Colin is an accomplished defender who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. EIU is the perfect for him both on and off the pitch. He is a conscientious defender and a tireless worker. He reads the game very well and has the ability to make things happen in whatever defensive position he can be utilized in.”

 

Scored nine goals and recorded 14 assists while playing the sweeper position in 2009… finished his prep career with 20 goals and 26 assists… helped Stevenson surrendered only 13 goals in 2009, the fewest in school history… two-time Daily Herald All-Area selection… helped his Eclipse club team with the State Cup in 2008 and 2009… also a part of club teams that were a regional finalist in 2008, Adidas final four college showcase champion in 2009 and a Disney Cup finalist in 2009… attended EIU's summer soccer camps… coach Howarth says: “Shawn can play a couple of positions for us and is very flexible. He had a fantastic week of camp this past summer and proved worthy of being the top performer that week. He is surprisingly strong for his size and is the type of player that gets the job done. I am excited to work with Shawn this fall.”

 

Ryan Tinsley, 5-foot-10, 155 lbs. defender from St. Charles, Mo. (Christian Brothers College HS/Scott Gallagher Academy club team)

Earned all-state honors in 2010 after helping lead Christian Brothers to the MSHSAA Class 3 state title… first team all-conference in 2010 after earning all-metro recognition in 2008 and 2009… ESPN Rise Missouri Player to Watch for 2009-10 school year… played for the Missouri '92 ODP boys state team and regional pool from 2005-08... coach Howarth says: “Ryan is a solid defender and will add plenty of bite to our outside backs. He has a high amount of knowledge of the game. He is a very astute defender in that he can mark and takes great pleasure in shutting down the other team's key players. I am excited to add a strong soccer player, but along with that he is an exceptional student.”