Men's Soccer | 6/17/2016 1:50:00 PM

ONEONTA, NY – The Hartwick men's soccer program will add 17 newcomers to its 2016 roster, head coach John Scott announced today. Three transfer athletes with collegiate level experience and 14 freshmen from England (3), Greece (1), Scotland (4), New Jersey (1), New York (3), Virginia (1), and Vermont (1) will join the Hawks for the upcoming campaign. Hartwick will be in search of its third consecutive Sun Belt Conference regular season and playoff titles in 2016.
           
Below is Hartwick head coach John Scott's comments on his newcomers.
 
Athanas Okuka (Burlington, VT)
"Athanas plays in goal for the number one ranked team in his state and five-time state cup champion, Synergy Football Club 97/98 Academy. His honors include the NEP League North, NEFC Event Champions, and Massapequa College Showcase Champions. Synergy has played in prestigious tournaments like the EDP Cup, FC Delco Cup, Disney Showcase, MSSL Summer Showcase, and the Puma Cup."
 
Jack Philp (Edinburgh, Scotland)
"Preferably, Jack likes to play center midfield, but he is known to be a reliable performer wherever he is asked to play on the field. He has captained nationally renowned Hutchison Vale, Tynecastle at youth level, and also Currie High School. He won the 2015-16 league title with Tynecastle and represented the Scotland team at club soccer level. Jack's performances drew the attention of Livingston of the Scottish Championship League."
 
Nolan Poretz (Ashburn, VA)
"As a central midfield player, Nolan is technically talented. Having a useful left foot also allows Nolan to be utilized on the left side of the field. At Broad Run High School, 2016 was a great year. He was a conference champion, first team all-conference, team captain, and he led the conference in assists. The season isn't done yet as he still might get region/state honors as well as runner up/champion medals). Loudoun is Nolan's club team and to prepare for the college level he is playing on their U23 team over the summer."
 
Elliott Bentley (Oakham, England)
Elliott, a left back, is very attack-minded and wants to get forward into advanced positions. His performances for Tresham College attracted the attention Scottish Premier League side Hearts earlier in the 2015-16 season. His Tresham team went on to reach the playoffs and the semifinal of the national cup this season. Last season, Elliott was a member of the Corby Town U18's that won the league and league cup."
 
Hamish Ritchie (Aboyne, Scotland)
"As a holding midfield player, Hamish is strong, has an excellent first touch, and possesses a good range of passing skills. As a player with Keith FC of the Scottish Highland League, Hamish finished the 2015-16 season winning three player of the year awards. Hamish received five years of experience as a youth player as part of the academy system with Aberdeen FC of the Scottish Premier League."
 
Zack Sivulich (Rhinebeck, NY)
"Zack, a center back, is physically solid on his feet and technically has the ability to get on the ball and play from the back. At Red Hook High School, he was selected to the All-Section IX Team, three times and was the team's captain. He also was named Poughkeepsie Journal First Team in 2015. At club level, Zack has represented Ironbound to the Super Y National Championship 2013 and the New Jersey State Cup in May 2016. Zack was also part of the Super Y ODP National Camp Select Team in 2013 and 2015."
 
Cameron Paton (Edinburgh, Scotland)
"As a center forward, Cammy is comfortable playing the lone striker role, or as part of a front two. In the last two years with Hutchison Vale, a leading premier team at Scottish youth level, Cammy has won a league championship as well as reaching many cup finals. Playing with The Royal High School, he enjoyed success by winning the Regional Cup in 2015-16. Cammy's attributes include a good change of pace, a willingness to chase and harass, and sharp awareness to spot runs made by others. These characteristics attracted the attention of Scottish Premier League club Hearts, who monitored his progress closely as part of their youth academy games."
 
Dalton Wu (Medford, NJ)
"Dalton joins our group of talented goalkeepers with some impressive awards of his own. At Shawnee High School, Dalton was team captain, Olympic Conference First Team, All-County First Team, All-South Jersey First Team, and he also played in the New Jersey All-Star game. At club level, Dalton has played the last five years with REAL NJSC as the starting goalkeeper and team captain. He comes highly recommended due to his work rate, attitude, and leadership, which we expect will help to bring the best out of his teammates."    
 
Alex Papachristoupolos (Athens, Greece)
"At 6'3, Alex can play as a center back or as a center forward. He has experienced life in the States already while attending Piedmont High School in California. Returning to his homeland, Alex was selected to represent Greece at youth national level. He has been a member of the youth academy set up of Panionios of the Greek First Division. A brief stint in Belgium due to family work commitments offered Alex the opportunity to play with Anderlecht's academy team, as well Spanish La Liga academy teams Villareal and Espanyol, and Augsburg's academy of the German Bundesliga. We are excited that Alex has decided to join us here at Hartwick."
 
Casey Feehan (McDonough, NY)
"As a central midfield player, Casey is skillful and very comfortable on the ball. His technical ability helped Cincinnatus Central School win the Central Counties League an impressive five years in a row from 2012-16. As a senior captain of the team this past year, Casey led his team to sectional and regional titles and also the semifinal stages of the state competition. Casey was all-state and won the senior athlete award following the 2015 season. For club soccer, Casey is playing NPSL level for Greater Binghamton FC."
 
Kyle Honor (Centereach, NY)
"As a striker, Kyle is very hard working and robust, and he's the kind of player that defenders don't like to play against. At club level with Dix Hills, Kyle won the 2015 state cup and the 2016 region one league.  Previous to Dix Hills, two state cup triumphs were achieved with HBC Titans. Playing high school soccer at Ward Melville High School, Kyle won All-Academic and All-County awards and was a two year captain. Kyle has also experienced playing at the PDL level with the Long Island Rough Riders."
 
Jonny Carr (Sunderland, England)
"As a right back, Jonny is very assured and likes to get forward in support of the attack. He played with Hartlepool FC of England's League 2 since the age of 11. His experience with Hartlepool includes captaining their youth team where his performances also earned him opportunities at reserve team level.  Following Hartlepool, Jonny played with Ryhope CA FC of the English Northern League Division 1 before deciding to join Hartwick." 
 
Jon Campbell (Brora, Scotland)
"Jon's preferred position is center midfield, but he's just as reliable when filling in at center back or on the right side of the field. At the age of 15, Jon made his debut in the Scottish Highland League with Brora Rangers. At schools level, he was a member of the North of Scotland team that won the national trophy.  Jon transfers to Hartwick after spending two years at Division II Salem International. In both 2014 and 2015, Salem reached the GMAC semifinals and the ECAC championship match.  
 
Ellis Hancox (Preston, England)
"As a center back, Ellis is good in the air, strong in the tackle, and composed on the ball. At schools level, Ellis represented Lancashire County and also North England Schools. His ability from a young age led to him spending the past five years with Preston North End FC of the English Championship. With Preston, Ellis played the equivalent of the USSF Development Academy. His style of play will be well-suited to Hartwick's and he should have no problem adapting."
 
Kane O'Neill (Lochwinnoch, Scotland)
"As a left-sided player, Kane has a good burst of pace and an attitude to attack. He is equally at home whether playing left back or left midfield. Kane reached the Scottish Cup Final at youth premier level with Arsenal boys club as well as taking part and winning the Barcelona Invitational Tournament in 2013 and the Hungary International Tournament in 2014. For seven years, Kane also experienced playing with the development academy at St Mirren FC of the Scottish Premier League."
 
Conor Corboy (Aptos, CA)
"Conor has excellent technical ability and can maneuver the ball against defenders in the tightest of spaces at the striker position. At USSF development academy level, Conor played three years with the Santa Cruz Beakers. Through his Irish parents, Conor was fortunate enough to train with the Irish national team at youth level. Conor transfers to Hartwick after spending two years at Division I University of Nebraska Omaha and one year with Division II Mississippi College, where he totaled eight goals and two assists.  
 
Johnny McBeth (Glasgow, Scotland)
"As a left-sided attacking player, Johnny is very strong on his feet with an ability to drive at fullbacks and cause problems. Prior to transferring to Hartwick, Johnny was very influential at Division II Upper Iowa University. On his college debut, he scored a hat-trick to earn himself player of the week and was second team all-conference to end his freshman year. During his sophomore year, Johnny scored the game winner to win the MIAA Conference championship for the first time in UIU history. His sophomore season included a trip to the Sweet 16 of Division II and a final ranking of 19. He earned first team all-conference and all-region awards and the academic honor roll."
 
The 17 new Hawks, after three exhibition matches at Drexel (Aug. 14), at Niagara (Aug. 17), and at home versus American International (Aug. 21), will look to make an impact in the opening game of the 2016 season against St. Bonaventure on Friday, August 26 at 7 p.m. on historic Elmore Field.