The Indiana State Player of the Year and two members of the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) All-Star Team highlight what could be one of the top recruiting classes in the nation for the 2008 University of Evansville men’s soccer program.
Head Coach Mike Jacobs today announced the signing of eight recruits, which includes Phil Boerger (Jamestown, ND), Mitch Day (Newburgh, IN), Ben Dempsey (Evansville, IN), Kyle Kessler (Newburgh, IN), Tad Kreamalmeyer (Troy, IL), Jarrett Robbins (Louisville, KY), Justin Sass (New Palestine, IN) and Blake Schneider (Wildwood, MO).
“This incoming group is one of the best classes we have had here in recent memory,” said Coach Jacobs. “To have the Indiana State Player of the Year for two consecutive years join our program shows that we are making great strides recruiting in-state. When you see the diversity in geography in this class, you can see that we are having that same success all over the Midwest region as well. This recruiting class gives us exactly what we wanted: a large class of outstanding players, well balanced by positions, and full of proven winners with leadership qualities. They are hard workers and will play a large role in what we expect will be an outstanding team.”
The 2008 class:
BOERGER, Phil 6-2* 190* Jamestown, ND* Jamestown HS Boerger arrives at the University of Evansville as one of the more decorated goalkeepers in his class nationally, having participated as a member of the US Soccer youth national team pools at the Under-15 and Under-17 age groups. He has also been a regular participant with the USYSA Region II Olympic Development Program team, and was named to the Interregional All-Star team in 2006. Boerger participated in the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in 2006 and 2007, and was named as an All-Star in 2007. He traveled with the Adidas ESP All-Star team on a trip to England in 2007. Boerger was named the North Dakota Outstanding Senior Athlete Team after leading his Jamestown HS team to the State Tournament. “Phil has all of the attributes to be a special goalkeeper,” says Coach Jacobs. “He fits the mold of the great tradition of goalkeepers we have always had here at UE.”
DAY, Mitch 5-9* 160* Newburgh, IN* Memorial HS Day enters the University of Evansville after a decorated high school career at Evansville Memorial High School. The 2007 Indiana State Player of the Year and NSCAA High School All-American, Day led Memorial to the IHSAA State High School Championship. As Memorial’s co-captain, Day capped off his senior season by leading the Tigers to a #2 national ranking by the NSCAA. He participated in the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in 2007. A member of the Evansville Elite Soccer Club, Day led his team to the Indiana State Cup semifinals in 2005, 2006 and 2007. He has been a member of the Indiana Olympic Development Program. Day was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2006 and 2007. “Mitch has the drive and determination to make him a key player in our program,” says Coach Jacobs. “He is a true two-way midfielder, and figures to compete for playing time straight away.”
DEMPSEY, Ben 6-0* 160* Evansville, IN* Harrison HS Dempsey enters the University of Evansville after capping off a successful high school career at Harrison High School, helping lead the Warriors to the city championship in 2006. He was named All-District, All-City and All-Conference in 2006 and 2007. Dempsey also plays for the Evansville Elite Soccer Club and was a key contributor on their 2005, 2006 and 2007 State Cup semifinalist teams. Ben was a high school teammate of current Aces Austin Schall and Ryan Moll, and a club teammate of Day, Kyle Kessler, Schall, Moll and Mitch Mansfield. Dempsey was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2006 and 2007. “Ben is a very athletic shot-stopper,” says Coach Jacobs, “and will be able to add depth to our goalkeeping corps.”
KESSLER, Kyle 6-4* 180* Newburgh, IN* Reitz Memorial HS Kessler joins the University of Evansville after a very successful high school career. Kessler helped lead Memorial High School to the IHSAA State High School Championship. As Memorial’s team co-captain, Kessler capped off his senior season by leading the Tigers to a #2 national ranking by the NSCAA. He was named to the Indiana High School All-State Team in 2007. Kessler is a member of the Evansville Elite Soccer Club team that went to the 2005, 2006 and 2007 State Cup semifinals. He was a high school teammate of incoming classmate Mitch Day, and a club teammate of Day, Dempsey, Schall, Moll and Mansfield. Kessler is the son of former Aces’ soccer standout Craig Kessler. Kyle was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2006 and 2007. “Kyle has been a leader and winner at the youth and high school levels,” says Coach Jacobs, “and we expect that to continue here at the University of Evansville.”
KREAMALMEYER, Tad 5-9* 160* Troy, IL* Collinsville Christian Academy Kreamalmeyer enters the University of Evansville as one of the more heralded high school players in the state of Illinois. He capped off his senior year by leading Collinsville Christian Academy to an NACA #4 ranking nationally. Kreamalmeyer was named as a NSCAA All-American in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, and as a NACA All-American in 2007. During that period, he amassed a total of 225 goals and 59 assists. He logged an amazing 72 goals during the 2007 season. He is a member of the Metro United Soccer Club, which participates in the US Soccer Development Academy, and is a teammate of current classmate Blake Schneider. “Tad has been a prolific goal scorer at every level that he has competed at,” says Coach Jacobs, “and we expect that to continue here at the University of Evansville.”
ROBBINS, Jarrett 6-7* 185* Louisville, KY* Louisville Male HS Robbins arrives at the University of Evansville as one of the more decorated high school players in the state of Kentucky this past season, being named First Team All State. He was the captain for Louisville Male High School, ranked #2 in the state of Kentucky this past season. Robbins won the Bulldog Cup Most Valuable Player Award and All-Tournament Team honor in 2007. He was also a key contributor for the Javanon Soccer Club team that were Kentucky State Cup Champions in 2006 and 2007, as well as USYSA Region II semifinalists in 2007. Robbins led them to a place in the finals at the Disney Showcase in 2006. A member of the Kentucky Olympic Development Program, Robbins was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2007. “Jarrett is a versatile player who can play a number of different roles on the field,” says Coach Jacobs. “His physical gifts and ability in the air make him someone that the opponent always has to worry about.”
SASS, Justin 6-1* 190* New Palestine, IN* New Palestine HS Sass enters the University of Evansville with a very strong reputation as a central defender at the youth and high school levels. He was a key contributor on the Carmel Cosmos team that won multiple Indiana State Cup Championships. Sass was a teammate on the Cosmos with current Aces midfielder Robby Lynch. He led his New Palestine High School team to the sectional and conference championships in 2006 and 2007, and was named All-State in 2006. Sass was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2007. “Justin plays the game with an intensity level and commitment that you want in a central defender,” said Jacobs, “and he is someone that we feel has the potential to be an impact player at this level.”
SCHNEIDER, Blake 5-11* 165* Wildwood, MO* Whitfield HS Schneider joins the University of Evansville with a tremendous amount of experience and success at the high school and youth levels. Schneider capped off a successful high school career at Whitfield High School by winning the Missouri Class 1 High School State Championship in 2004, 2006 and 2007. He was named 1st Team High School All-State in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Schneider also was named the Class 1 Player of The Year. In addition, he was First Team All-Metro, making him only the third player in Missouri High School soccer history to be named to the All-Metro Team as a small school player. Schneider attended the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in 2007, and was named as an All-Star. He is a member of the Metro United Soccer Club, which participates in the US Soccer Development Academy, and is a teammate of current classmate Tad Kreamalmeyer. Schneider was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2007. “Blake is a proven leader who has the ability to make everyone around him better,” says Coach Jacobs. “We expect him to be a key contributor for us in the midfield or in the back.”
