Men's Soccer to Welcome 12 Newcomers in 2022
5/12/2022 1:48:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- First-year Bucknell men's soccer head coach Dave Brandt and his staff will welcome 12 newcomers to the team this fall. The 2022 class touches every position and includes the son of a Bucknell soccer Hall-of-Famer, a pair of Division I transfers from Wake Forest and St. John's, two international players who have risen through the European club system, and plenty of talented prospects who have played high-level soccer in the club and high school ranks.
Joining the Bison in 2022 will be forward Zane Domsohn (Downingtown, Pa.), forward Aidan Grant (Summit, N.J.), winger/forward Charlie Holmes (Seattle, Wash.), Waldemar Kattrup (Copenhagen, Denmark), Aidan Kieffer (Portland, Maine), Freddie Lapworth (Banbury, England), Cade McGrath (Moorestown, N.J.), Jake Nicoll (Short Hills, N.J.), Ben Sheffield (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.), Jackson Sullivan (La Grange Park, Ill.), Luke Trevisani (Santa Fe, N.M.), and Marco Valentic (Kirtland, Ohio).
Here is more information on each of the newcomers.
Zane Domsohn
Forward | 5-11 | 165
Downingtown, Pa. | Bishop Shanahan H.S. | FC Delco ECNL '03
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born May 29, 2003 in Downingtown, Pa. … son of Dave and Trish Domsohn … has a younger brother, Zander … played high school soccer with cousins Bryce and Gavin … father is a 1989 Bucknell graduate and was inducted into the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999 after setting men's soccer program records for goals (52), assists (34) and points (138) … lettered four times each in soccer and basketball and once in football at Bishop Shanahan High school … 2021 Pennsylvania All-State forward, U.S. Regional All-American, Daily Local News Player of the Year, League Player of the Year … four-time all-league and three-time all-area selection … team captain as a senior, when he led his team to a 19-5 record, league and district titles, and the school's first-ever berth in the state semifinals … set school records for goals in a season (42) and career (69) … also served as the football team's kicker and punter as a senior, and was the starting point guard on the basketball team.
Dave Brandt on Zane Domsohn: "The son of Bucknell Hall-of-Fame men's soccer player Dave Domsohn, Zane is a fast, tough, athletic, and competitive center forward who is versatile enough to play anywhere in the front four. His pure athleticism and hard-nosed attacking mindset, combined with a goal-scorer's mentality and instinct will give him a chance to be an immediate factor in the team next Fall.
Aidan Grant
Forward | 6-2 | 185
Summit, N.J. | Delbarton School | STA 04 ECNL
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born March 4, 2004 in New York City … parents are Michael and Valerie Grant … has a younger sister, Brynne … 2022 graduate of the Delbarton School in Morristown, N.J. … captained the Delbarton soccer team and earned First Team All-State, All-County, and All-Conference honors … team leader in goals and assists … helped the team to three straight conference championships … team also won a county title in 2019 and a sectional title in 2020 … played club soccer for STA 04 ECNL.
Dave Brandt on Aidan Grant: "Aidan is a bigger No. 9 who is most comfortable with his back to goal; comfortable both in combining and holding up play, as well as striking at goal in almost every way imaginable. He can strike from range, be dangerous in the air, and also find ways to goal from close in. At 6'2" he will be another player in this '22 class who is a physical force and presence."
Charlie Holmes
Winger/Forward | 6-2 | 170
Seattle, Wash. | Lakeside H.S. | Seattle United
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Nov. 3, 2003 in San Francisco … son of Dan and Amy Holmes … has an older sister, Isabella, who plays lacrosse at New Hampshire … captain of the soccer team at Lakeside High School ... Metro League MVP and First Team All-Metro League selection … led team to a Metro League championship and a berth in the state championship game … seven goals and four assists in the first eight games of the spring 2022 season … played club soccer for Seattle United and was an ECNL Northwest Conference Second Team selection.
Dave Brandt on Charlie Holmes: "Charlie will bring a much-needed combination of skill, savvy, striking mindset, and size to our attack. As a 6'2" winger who can also play centrally, his combination of pace, ability on the ball, and size, as well as both MLS Next and high-level ECNL experience, will, in my opinion, allow Charlie the chance to be an instant factor in our attack this fall."
Waldemar Kattrup
Center Midfielder | 5-10 | 155
Copenhagen, Denmark | Falkonergaardens Gymnasium | St. John's
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born May 24, 2002 in Frederiksberg, Denmark … son of Jens-Joachim and Marie-Louise Kattrup … has two siblings, William and Viola … 2021 graduate of Falkonergaardens Gymnasium in Copenhagen … attended St. John's University in 2021-22 and appeared in two games for the Red Storm … appearances came against Clemson and Boston University … standout player in the youth system for Lyngby Boldklub 1921 … played for the club from U15 to U19 … received the team's Talent of the Year award in 2017-18 … helped the squad win the Danish Cup at the U17 level in 2018-19.
Dave Brandt on Waldemar Kattrup: "We are really excited to be getting Waldemar here at Bucknell and expect him to make an immediate impact as he starts his Bucknell career as a sophomore. Waldemar hails from Copenhagen and is a transfer from St. John's University. He is a talented and very game-intelligent player who I expect will be a factor in the center of our midfield right away this fall.
Aidan Kieffer
Center Back | 6-5 | 195
Portland, Maine | South Kent School (Conn.) | South Kent
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Jan. 4, 2003 in Boston … son of Tony Kieffer and Susan Conley … has an older brother, Thorne, who plays tennis at Bates … 2021 graduate of Waynflete High School, then did a postgraduate year at South Kent School in Connecticut … focused on soccer at South Kent after playing soccer, basketball, and tennis at Waynflete … helped lead South Kent to the NEPSAC Class B championship … team was voted as prep soccer national champion … part of 2018 and 2019 state championship teams at Waynflete, where he was a 2020 First Team All-State and two-time First Team All-Conference selection … team captain in both soccer and tennis … was also a First Team All-Conference honoree in tennis and Honorable Mention All-Conference in basketball … played club soccer with South Kent and Seacoast United.
Dave Brandt on Aidan Kieffer: "Aidan is a 6'5" center back who is a good passer out of the back, which is an absolute prerequisite to play here in our system. Given his size and good feet, Aidan has a ton of potential and I'm genuinely excited to have him coming to Bucknell and genuinely excited to work with him beginning this fall and to see how quickly he can become a dominant Patriot League center back.
Freddie Lapworth
Goalkeeper | 6-1 | 194
Banbury, England | Banbury Academy | Cheltenham Town
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Dec. 4, 2001 in Banbury, England … parents are Ian and Susan Lapworth … attended Banbury Academy and played soccer in the English academy system since the age of 10 … spent six months playing in Spain for FC Malaga City Academy, and domestically played goalkeeper for Cheltenham Town FC … played against top academy sides such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Frankfurt.
Dave Brandt on Freddie Lapworth: "One of two excellent and high-level goalkeepers who will come to Bucknell this fall as part of the '22 class, Freddie is a highly experienced and top-class goalkeeper from the UK. He is an excellent shot-stopper who also commands the box very well, and Freddie adds a much-needed experience and leadership element in the back that we are looking forward to having in the team."
Cade McGrath
Winger | 5-10 | 155
Moorestown, N.J. | Moorestown H.S. | Real JFC U19 MLS Next
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Apr. 12, 2004 in Philadelphia … son of Sean and Colleen McGrath … has two younger siblings, Maura and Shane … member of the varsity soccer team at Moorestown High School … also competed in swimming as a freshman and sophomore and in lacrosse as a sophomore … did not play high school soccer as a senior while playing for Real JFC MLS Next … helped lead the club to the 2019 USYS national championship after a runner-up finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2017 … four-time State Cup winner and two-time regional champion … part of the Best XI team at the 2018 national championships … staring forward on the New Jersey All-Star Team at the ICC Futures tournament in 2018 … did play three years of high school soccer, and as a junior was named Regional All-American, First Team Group 3, First Team All-South Jersey, and First Team All-Conference … as a sophomore was named conference Player of the Year and Second Team All-State … also First Team All-Conference as a freshman, when he started every game and led the team in goals … the 2020 Moorestown team went 11-1-3 and captured the NJ South Group 3 sectional title.
Dave Brandt on Cade McGrath: "Another very skillful and smooth player technically, Cade is a winger who is dangerous from wide areas, but also very comfortable centrally. His speed, attacking mindset, and savvy on the ball, as well as his ability to thrive in tight spaces, make him a perfect fit in our playing philosophy."
Jake Nicoll
Goalkeeper | 6-0 | 155
Short Hills, N.J. | Pingry School | Wake Forest
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Apr. 27, 2003 in Barnet, England … parents are Stuart and Nadege Nicoll … has two younger siblings, Kyle and Skye … 2021 graduate of The Pingry School in Martinsville, N.J. … attended Wake Forest University in 2021-22 and was part of a Demon Deacons' recruiting class ranked No. 3 nationally … earned four varsity letters at Pingry, where he was a three-year starting goalkeeper and an All-Skyland Conference selection … team finished 11-2 during his senior year and was ranked 20th nationally by United Soccer Coaches … played for ÉFC Fréjus Saïnt-Raphaël U18s in France during the 2020 season, and also spent time with the U23s … trained and trialed with the Philadelphia Union II in the USL in January of his senior year … speaks French … born in England and moved to New Jersey at the age of five.
Dave Brandt on Jake Nicoll: "A Wake Forest transfer who will be a sophomore in the fall, Jake is a springy and athletic shot-stopper who will compete for the starting job, and regardless of eventual role will add significant quality to the goalkeeping corps in the program. Excellent with his feet and also with on-field leadership, Jake's quickness, strong technique, and shot-reading intuition allow him to make what are often dynamic and eye-popping saves."
Ben Sheffield
Center Back | 6-4 | 200
Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. | Grosse Pointe North H.S. | Vardar U19 MLS Next
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Aug. 16, 2004 in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. … parents are Drew and Wendy Sheffield … has a twin brother Tom and an older brother Andrew … played high school soccer through his junior year then played for Vardar MLS Next U19 in 2021-22 … MHSAA Division I All-District and MAC White All-Conference First Team in 2020 … played for the ODP State Team in 2018-19 and 2019-20 … attended ODP Regional ID camp in 2019 and was invited in 2020 but canceled due to COVID-19 … named ECNL Vardar Player to Watch in 2019-20 … ECNL Midwest First Team All-Conference in 2018-19 and 2020-21 … four-year captain with Vardar 04 ECNL … club side made ECNL national playoffs in 2019 and 2021 … second place in MLS Next Mid-America Division in Fall 2021.
Dave Brandt on Ben Sheffield: "At 6'3", Ben is another big, strong defender, but is one who is agile, skillful, an excellent passer, and extremely intelligent in defense. He is as good a straight-up 1v1 defender as I have seen in some time, with pace to recover when needed and excellent in the air."
Jackson Sullivan
Wingback | 6-3 | 185
La Grange Park, Ill. | Lyons Township H.S. | FC United
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Oct. 14, 2003 in Chicago … son of Patrick and Theresa Sullivan … has three younger brothers, Collin, Gavin, and Brendan … First Team All-State selection at Lyons Township High School … team captain and MVP … named to Top XI at 2021 Presidents Cup Nationals … team ranked second in state in spring 2022 after posting 17 shutouts in the fall of 2021 … helped lead team to Midwest Presidents Cup title.
Dave Brandt on Jackson Sullivan: "Jackson is a strong and athletic 6'3" defender who we are targeting as an attacking wingback, though he is also experienced and proficient as a central defender. The combination of his size, pace, and engine to get up and down the flank make Jackson a dangerous player and someone we are expecting to make a smooth transition to this level."
Luke Trevisani
Wingback | 5-11 | 165
Santa Fe, N.M. | Berkshire School (Mass.) | New Mexico Pateadores
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Dec. 3, 2002 in Santa Fe … son of Peter and Wendy Trevisani … has two brothers, Blake and Pierce … father played football at Boston College and is the founder and owner of New Mexico United soccer team … mother is a member of the Bucknell Class of 1992 … attended Santa Fe Preparatory School and then did a post-graduate year at Berkshire School in Massachusetts … at Santa Fe Prep was a three-year starter who played every minute of every game all three years … lone team captain as a senior, when he earned First Team All-District and Second Team All-State honors … Second Team All-District as a junior and Honorable Mention as a sophomore … as a senior, helped his team to an undefeated district championship and a berth in the state semifinals … also captained his club team, the New Mexico Pateadores, and helped the squad reach the state final.
Dave Brandt on Luke Trevisani: "Luke is a tough and hard-working wingback who comes to Bucknell after a post-grad year at Berkshire, where he grew a ton both physically and technically as a player. Luke is a combination of scrappy, savvy, gamer, and he has a maturity and competitive fire that will aid his transition to the college game immediately."
Marco Valentic
Center Midfield | 5-9 | 145
Kirtland, Ohio | Kirtland H.S. | Cleveland Force
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born July 7, 2004 in Willoughby, Ohio … son of John and Julie Valentic … has two older sisters, Gianna and Lilia … father played soccer at Akron … 2022 graduate of Kirtland High School … played primarily high-level club soccer but did play for his high school as a senior, and he was named Ohio Division 3 Player of the Year and a High School All-American … also named Greater Cleveland Division 3 Player of the Year, Chagrin Valley Conference Player of the Year, and News Herald Player of the Year … led 2021 squad to an 18-3-1 record and conference and district championships … set team records for goals (35), assists (32), and points (102) in a season … captained the U19 Cleveland Force ECNL and USL sides … also spent three years with the Columbus Crew SC Academy and one year with Internationals Academy in MLS Next … earned four caps with the U15 Croatian National Team.
Dave Brandt on Marco Valentic: "Marco is a silky smooth, highly intelligent, and technically clean central midfield player. He comes from a passionate soccer family and has a very high-level background in terms of his youth experience and pedigree. He fits our playing style exceptionally well and I expect him to make an impact right away on arrival to campus in August."
Joining the Bison in 2022 will be forward Zane Domsohn (Downingtown, Pa.), forward Aidan Grant (Summit, N.J.), winger/forward Charlie Holmes (Seattle, Wash.), Waldemar Kattrup (Copenhagen, Denmark), Aidan Kieffer (Portland, Maine), Freddie Lapworth (Banbury, England), Cade McGrath (Moorestown, N.J.), Jake Nicoll (Short Hills, N.J.), Ben Sheffield (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.), Jackson Sullivan (La Grange Park, Ill.), Luke Trevisani (Santa Fe, N.M.), and Marco Valentic (Kirtland, Ohio).
Here is more information on each of the newcomers.
Zane Domsohn
Forward | 5-11 | 165
Downingtown, Pa. | Bishop Shanahan H.S. | FC Delco ECNL '03
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born May 29, 2003 in Downingtown, Pa. … son of Dave and Trish Domsohn … has a younger brother, Zander … played high school soccer with cousins Bryce and Gavin … father is a 1989 Bucknell graduate and was inducted into the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999 after setting men's soccer program records for goals (52), assists (34) and points (138) … lettered four times each in soccer and basketball and once in football at Bishop Shanahan High school … 2021 Pennsylvania All-State forward, U.S. Regional All-American, Daily Local News Player of the Year, League Player of the Year … four-time all-league and three-time all-area selection … team captain as a senior, when he led his team to a 19-5 record, league and district titles, and the school's first-ever berth in the state semifinals … set school records for goals in a season (42) and career (69) … also served as the football team's kicker and punter as a senior, and was the starting point guard on the basketball team.
Dave Brandt on Zane Domsohn: "The son of Bucknell Hall-of-Fame men's soccer player Dave Domsohn, Zane is a fast, tough, athletic, and competitive center forward who is versatile enough to play anywhere in the front four. His pure athleticism and hard-nosed attacking mindset, combined with a goal-scorer's mentality and instinct will give him a chance to be an immediate factor in the team next Fall.
Aidan Grant
Forward | 6-2 | 185
Summit, N.J. | Delbarton School | STA 04 ECNL
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born March 4, 2004 in New York City … parents are Michael and Valerie Grant … has a younger sister, Brynne … 2022 graduate of the Delbarton School in Morristown, N.J. … captained the Delbarton soccer team and earned First Team All-State, All-County, and All-Conference honors … team leader in goals and assists … helped the team to three straight conference championships … team also won a county title in 2019 and a sectional title in 2020 … played club soccer for STA 04 ECNL.
Dave Brandt on Aidan Grant: "Aidan is a bigger No. 9 who is most comfortable with his back to goal; comfortable both in combining and holding up play, as well as striking at goal in almost every way imaginable. He can strike from range, be dangerous in the air, and also find ways to goal from close in. At 6'2" he will be another player in this '22 class who is a physical force and presence."
Charlie Holmes
Winger/Forward | 6-2 | 170
Seattle, Wash. | Lakeside H.S. | Seattle United
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Nov. 3, 2003 in San Francisco … son of Dan and Amy Holmes … has an older sister, Isabella, who plays lacrosse at New Hampshire … captain of the soccer team at Lakeside High School ... Metro League MVP and First Team All-Metro League selection … led team to a Metro League championship and a berth in the state championship game … seven goals and four assists in the first eight games of the spring 2022 season … played club soccer for Seattle United and was an ECNL Northwest Conference Second Team selection.
Dave Brandt on Charlie Holmes: "Charlie will bring a much-needed combination of skill, savvy, striking mindset, and size to our attack. As a 6'2" winger who can also play centrally, his combination of pace, ability on the ball, and size, as well as both MLS Next and high-level ECNL experience, will, in my opinion, allow Charlie the chance to be an instant factor in our attack this fall."
Waldemar Kattrup
Center Midfielder | 5-10 | 155
Copenhagen, Denmark | Falkonergaardens Gymnasium | St. John's
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born May 24, 2002 in Frederiksberg, Denmark … son of Jens-Joachim and Marie-Louise Kattrup … has two siblings, William and Viola … 2021 graduate of Falkonergaardens Gymnasium in Copenhagen … attended St. John's University in 2021-22 and appeared in two games for the Red Storm … appearances came against Clemson and Boston University … standout player in the youth system for Lyngby Boldklub 1921 … played for the club from U15 to U19 … received the team's Talent of the Year award in 2017-18 … helped the squad win the Danish Cup at the U17 level in 2018-19.
Dave Brandt on Waldemar Kattrup: "We are really excited to be getting Waldemar here at Bucknell and expect him to make an immediate impact as he starts his Bucknell career as a sophomore. Waldemar hails from Copenhagen and is a transfer from St. John's University. He is a talented and very game-intelligent player who I expect will be a factor in the center of our midfield right away this fall.
Aidan Kieffer
Center Back | 6-5 | 195
Portland, Maine | South Kent School (Conn.) | South Kent
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Jan. 4, 2003 in Boston … son of Tony Kieffer and Susan Conley … has an older brother, Thorne, who plays tennis at Bates … 2021 graduate of Waynflete High School, then did a postgraduate year at South Kent School in Connecticut … focused on soccer at South Kent after playing soccer, basketball, and tennis at Waynflete … helped lead South Kent to the NEPSAC Class B championship … team was voted as prep soccer national champion … part of 2018 and 2019 state championship teams at Waynflete, where he was a 2020 First Team All-State and two-time First Team All-Conference selection … team captain in both soccer and tennis … was also a First Team All-Conference honoree in tennis and Honorable Mention All-Conference in basketball … played club soccer with South Kent and Seacoast United.
Dave Brandt on Aidan Kieffer: "Aidan is a 6'5" center back who is a good passer out of the back, which is an absolute prerequisite to play here in our system. Given his size and good feet, Aidan has a ton of potential and I'm genuinely excited to have him coming to Bucknell and genuinely excited to work with him beginning this fall and to see how quickly he can become a dominant Patriot League center back.
Freddie Lapworth
Goalkeeper | 6-1 | 194
Banbury, England | Banbury Academy | Cheltenham Town
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Dec. 4, 2001 in Banbury, England … parents are Ian and Susan Lapworth … attended Banbury Academy and played soccer in the English academy system since the age of 10 … spent six months playing in Spain for FC Malaga City Academy, and domestically played goalkeeper for Cheltenham Town FC … played against top academy sides such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Frankfurt.
Dave Brandt on Freddie Lapworth: "One of two excellent and high-level goalkeepers who will come to Bucknell this fall as part of the '22 class, Freddie is a highly experienced and top-class goalkeeper from the UK. He is an excellent shot-stopper who also commands the box very well, and Freddie adds a much-needed experience and leadership element in the back that we are looking forward to having in the team."
Cade McGrath
Winger | 5-10 | 155
Moorestown, N.J. | Moorestown H.S. | Real JFC U19 MLS Next
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Apr. 12, 2004 in Philadelphia … son of Sean and Colleen McGrath … has two younger siblings, Maura and Shane … member of the varsity soccer team at Moorestown High School … also competed in swimming as a freshman and sophomore and in lacrosse as a sophomore … did not play high school soccer as a senior while playing for Real JFC MLS Next … helped lead the club to the 2019 USYS national championship after a runner-up finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2017 … four-time State Cup winner and two-time regional champion … part of the Best XI team at the 2018 national championships … staring forward on the New Jersey All-Star Team at the ICC Futures tournament in 2018 … did play three years of high school soccer, and as a junior was named Regional All-American, First Team Group 3, First Team All-South Jersey, and First Team All-Conference … as a sophomore was named conference Player of the Year and Second Team All-State … also First Team All-Conference as a freshman, when he started every game and led the team in goals … the 2020 Moorestown team went 11-1-3 and captured the NJ South Group 3 sectional title.
Dave Brandt on Cade McGrath: "Another very skillful and smooth player technically, Cade is a winger who is dangerous from wide areas, but also very comfortable centrally. His speed, attacking mindset, and savvy on the ball, as well as his ability to thrive in tight spaces, make him a perfect fit in our playing philosophy."
Jake Nicoll
Goalkeeper | 6-0 | 155
Short Hills, N.J. | Pingry School | Wake Forest
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Apr. 27, 2003 in Barnet, England … parents are Stuart and Nadege Nicoll … has two younger siblings, Kyle and Skye … 2021 graduate of The Pingry School in Martinsville, N.J. … attended Wake Forest University in 2021-22 and was part of a Demon Deacons' recruiting class ranked No. 3 nationally … earned four varsity letters at Pingry, where he was a three-year starting goalkeeper and an All-Skyland Conference selection … team finished 11-2 during his senior year and was ranked 20th nationally by United Soccer Coaches … played for ÉFC Fréjus Saïnt-Raphaël U18s in France during the 2020 season, and also spent time with the U23s … trained and trialed with the Philadelphia Union II in the USL in January of his senior year … speaks French … born in England and moved to New Jersey at the age of five.
Dave Brandt on Jake Nicoll: "A Wake Forest transfer who will be a sophomore in the fall, Jake is a springy and athletic shot-stopper who will compete for the starting job, and regardless of eventual role will add significant quality to the goalkeeping corps in the program. Excellent with his feet and also with on-field leadership, Jake's quickness, strong technique, and shot-reading intuition allow him to make what are often dynamic and eye-popping saves."
Ben Sheffield
Center Back | 6-4 | 200
Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. | Grosse Pointe North H.S. | Vardar U19 MLS Next
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Aug. 16, 2004 in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. … parents are Drew and Wendy Sheffield … has a twin brother Tom and an older brother Andrew … played high school soccer through his junior year then played for Vardar MLS Next U19 in 2021-22 … MHSAA Division I All-District and MAC White All-Conference First Team in 2020 … played for the ODP State Team in 2018-19 and 2019-20 … attended ODP Regional ID camp in 2019 and was invited in 2020 but canceled due to COVID-19 … named ECNL Vardar Player to Watch in 2019-20 … ECNL Midwest First Team All-Conference in 2018-19 and 2020-21 … four-year captain with Vardar 04 ECNL … club side made ECNL national playoffs in 2019 and 2021 … second place in MLS Next Mid-America Division in Fall 2021.
Dave Brandt on Ben Sheffield: "At 6'3", Ben is another big, strong defender, but is one who is agile, skillful, an excellent passer, and extremely intelligent in defense. He is as good a straight-up 1v1 defender as I have seen in some time, with pace to recover when needed and excellent in the air."
Jackson Sullivan
Wingback | 6-3 | 185
La Grange Park, Ill. | Lyons Township H.S. | FC United
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Oct. 14, 2003 in Chicago … son of Patrick and Theresa Sullivan … has three younger brothers, Collin, Gavin, and Brendan … First Team All-State selection at Lyons Township High School … team captain and MVP … named to Top XI at 2021 Presidents Cup Nationals … team ranked second in state in spring 2022 after posting 17 shutouts in the fall of 2021 … helped lead team to Midwest Presidents Cup title.
Dave Brandt on Jackson Sullivan: "Jackson is a strong and athletic 6'3" defender who we are targeting as an attacking wingback, though he is also experienced and proficient as a central defender. The combination of his size, pace, and engine to get up and down the flank make Jackson a dangerous player and someone we are expecting to make a smooth transition to this level."
Luke Trevisani
Wingback | 5-11 | 165
Santa Fe, N.M. | Berkshire School (Mass.) | New Mexico Pateadores
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Dec. 3, 2002 in Santa Fe … son of Peter and Wendy Trevisani … has two brothers, Blake and Pierce … father played football at Boston College and is the founder and owner of New Mexico United soccer team … mother is a member of the Bucknell Class of 1992 … attended Santa Fe Preparatory School and then did a post-graduate year at Berkshire School in Massachusetts … at Santa Fe Prep was a three-year starter who played every minute of every game all three years … lone team captain as a senior, when he earned First Team All-District and Second Team All-State honors … Second Team All-District as a junior and Honorable Mention as a sophomore … as a senior, helped his team to an undefeated district championship and a berth in the state semifinals … also captained his club team, the New Mexico Pateadores, and helped the squad reach the state final.
Dave Brandt on Luke Trevisani: "Luke is a tough and hard-working wingback who comes to Bucknell after a post-grad year at Berkshire, where he grew a ton both physically and technically as a player. Luke is a combination of scrappy, savvy, gamer, and he has a maturity and competitive fire that will aid his transition to the college game immediately."
Marco Valentic
Center Midfield | 5-9 | 145
Kirtland, Ohio | Kirtland H.S. | Cleveland Force
Personal/Before Bucknell: Born July 7, 2004 in Willoughby, Ohio … son of John and Julie Valentic … has two older sisters, Gianna and Lilia … father played soccer at Akron … 2022 graduate of Kirtland High School … played primarily high-level club soccer but did play for his high school as a senior, and he was named Ohio Division 3 Player of the Year and a High School All-American … also named Greater Cleveland Division 3 Player of the Year, Chagrin Valley Conference Player of the Year, and News Herald Player of the Year … led 2021 squad to an 18-3-1 record and conference and district championships … set team records for goals (35), assists (32), and points (102) in a season … captained the U19 Cleveland Force ECNL and USL sides … also spent three years with the Columbus Crew SC Academy and one year with Internationals Academy in MLS Next … earned four caps with the U15 Croatian National Team.
Dave Brandt on Marco Valentic: "Marco is a silky smooth, highly intelligent, and technically clean central midfield player. He comes from a passionate soccer family and has a very high-level background in terms of his youth experience and pedigree. He fits our playing style exceptionally well and I expect him to make an impact right away on arrival to campus in August."