SMU Men's Soccer Signs Eight To NLIs

[PonyPride]

SMU Men's Soccer Signs Eight To NLIs
Includes Three Top 45 Recruits

Feb. 8, 2010

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU Men's Soccer head coach Tim McClements announced the signing of eight student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the class of 2010. The recruiting class includes three players ranked in the top 45 nationally, and the No. 7 recruit in the nation. Three of SMU's signees have been a part of the United States Youth National Team Program.

"We're really excited about this year's class," said McClements. "It's a class filled with quality players that have the ability to make an immediate impact. We have several players who have represented our country at the youth national team level, as well as some of the top student-athletes from around the country."

Zach Barnes is a center midfielder from Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas who played club for Dallas Texans. Barnes was named an All-American by both the NSCAA/adidas and ESPN/Rise in 2009, and received All-Area honors from the Dallas Morning News, as he was named District 6-5A Offensive Player of the Year. Barnes participated in the US National Team Under-17 residency program in 2008, and was a member of the Dallas Texans Under-19 squad that won the 2009 Dallas Cup. Barnes won the US Youth Soccer Association Golden Boot Award in 2009, as he was a member of the Dallas Texans squad that won the US Youth Soccer Association National Championship. Barnes was selected as Marcus' Offensive Player of the Year for both his sophomore and junior seasons, and was a member of Marcus' 2007 5A State Championship squad. Barnes is ranked as the No. 7 recruit in the nation, and the No. 2 midfielder, by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Juan Castillo is a forward from Kingwood Park High School in Kingwood, Texas, who played club for Texans SC DTH. Castillo was a member of the Olympic Development Program State and Regional pools, and was a member of the 2nd place team in the 2007 Disney Showcase. Castillo was named an All-District selection and received Newcomer of the Year honors while at Kingwood Park HS.

AJ Corrado is a midfielder from Zionsville Community High School in Zionsville, Ill., and plays club for Indiana United. Corrado was named a preseason All-American by ESPN/Rise in 2009, as he captained Zionsville Community HS to the IHSAA State Championship. Corrado trained with the US Under-17 National Team in 2009, and was a member of the Region II Olympic Development squad. He played for Indiana United, who won back-to-back USSF Development Academy National Championships in 2007-08 and 2008-09. He was selected to the national USSF All-Academy Starting XI in 2008-09, and was an ISCAA All-State selection in 2009, in addition to be Academic All-State in 2008 and 2009. He is ranked as the No. 45 recruit in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Robert Derschang is a left midfielder from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colo., who plays club for Real Colorado. Derschang was named a NSCAA/adidas All-American in 2009 and was the Colorado 5A Player of the Year. A two-time first team All-Colorado selection, Derschang was named to the US National Team Pool at the Under-14, Under-15 and Under-17 levels. Derschang participated in the US Under-17 residency program in 2008. Derschang is ranked as the No. 35 recruit in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Tyler Engel is a midfielder/forward from Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Ill., who plays in the Chicago Fire Youth Program. Engel was named an All-State midfielder by the IHSSCA and was a Chicago Sun-Times Third Team All-Area selection. Engel has also participated in the Olympic Development Program. Engel was a member of the Chicago Magic club which placed 3rd in the 2009 Dallas Cup, and that finished 3rd place nationally. Engel is ranked as the No. 13 recruit in the Midwest Region by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Max Rockwell is a midfielder from Mitchell High School in Trinity, Fla. who played club for Clearwater Chargers SC. A four-year letter winner, Rockwell was named team MVP his sophomore and junior seasons. He twice received All-Sunshine Conference honors, third team as a freshman, and first team as a junior. He was a St. Petersburg Times Honorable Mention selection both of those seasons.

Dylan Schauder is a defender from Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas who played club for Texas Rush. Schauder played for the Olympic Development Program South Texas team in 2008. He was a member of two district title-winning teams while at Clear Lake, and was named First Team All-District 24-5A in 2009.

Christopher Sendejas is a native of Mesquite, Texas who attends W.T. White High School who plays club for Dallas Texans, who won the 2009 Dallas Cup. Sendejas helped the Texans to the USYSA National Championship in 2008, and to become National Finalists in 2006.

[redpony]

What happened to Ruben Luna? I believe it was announced that he had signed a LOI as well. Suprised that he is not mentioned along with the others.

GO PONIES!!!

[mustangbill67]

What happened to Ruben Luna? I believe it was announced that he had signed a LOI as well. Suprised that he is not mentioned along with the others.

GO PONIES!!!

As I mentioned previously there was a question as to whether he might go pro. He may have or maybe he has not decided yet.

[PonyPride]

Apparently Luna is in camp with FC Dallas, where former SMU coach Schellas Hyndman has a roster that already includes former SMU stars Daniel Hernandez, Ugo Ihemelu and Bruno Guarda (three of the best players they've ever had).

Also in camp: Dane Saintus, Duke Hashimoto, Paulo da Silva and Mohammed "Mishu" Fahim. Luis "Luchi" Gonzalez was invited, but apparently didn't show, and at least one guy who covers the team reports he won't.

[mustangbill67]

wonder if he is maintaining his amateur status and simply working out with the team. Also have to wonder if he is academically eligible.

[PonyPride]

Apparently he is just working out with the team now, as he remains a part of the FC Dallas Academy.