April 6, 2004
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova head coach Larry Sullivan will welcome a collection of gifted newcomers as part of the men's soccer program's class of 2008, it was announced today. A total of nine players have signed national letters of intent to enroll at Villanova this fall and play soccer while a tenth will join the team as a recruited walk-on.
"We are very excited about this group of young men," said Sullivan, who led the Wildcats to a 10-8-1 finish in 2003. "We believe they have the ingredients to succeed at Villanova on the soccer field and in the classroom."
The new class includes 2003 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year Dan DeMasters. A back, DeMasters emerged as one of the region's most coveted recruits at Manheim Township High School. The Lancaster, Pa. native is a high school All-American who played club soccer for FC Delco and was the starting fullback for the United States Region 1 Olympic Development Program Team.
'Danny is a very versatile player who we expect to use as an attacking midfielder," stated Sullivan of the 5-9, 160-pound athlete.
Matt Sleece, a native of Clifton, N.J., is an accomplished prep defender who earned all-region and all-state honors at Clifton High School. Sleece checks in at 6-1, 185 pounds.
"We expect that Matt can help us immediately," said Sullivan. "He is a great defender with good skill."
Jon Wells brings all-state and all-region qualifications with him to Villanova. The 5-10, 175-pound Wells attends Montclair (N.J.) High School and played for the Metro Stars Youth Team.
"Jon is a gifted athlete who is smooth with the ball," noted Sullivan. "We look for him to help us in the outside midfield and on defense."
Jason Friel, a goalkeeper from Dublin, Pa., is also on board. Friel earned all-state honors at Pennridge High School and played club soccer with the Towamencin Soccer Club.
"Jason is a superb athlete who handles the box well and has good hands," stated Sullivan.
Sullivan believes striker Mike DelGuercio can make an impact on offense next season. The 6-0, 180-pound DelGuercio attends the Delbarton School and was an all-state performer as a senior. He also played club soccer for NJ Dynamo.
"Mike does his best work in the opponents' end," said Sullivan. "He has the attitude of a scorer."
Also headed to Villanova is midfielder Craig Moscetti. A product of Long Valley, N.J., Moscetti will graduate this spring from West Morris Central High School. A 2003 team captain, Moscetti, a 5-11, 170-pound midfielder, was an all-county, all-conference and all-state choice as a senior. He played club soccer alongside DelGuercio and another signee, Neil McNulty, for NJ Dynamo.
"Poise and economy in the flow of the game are Craig's biggest assets," stated Sullivan.
McNulty (5-9, 175 pounds) is the third NJ Dynamo member in this class and he also was a teammate of DelGuercio's at the Delbarton School. McNulty was chosen first team all-conference, all-county and third team all-state. As a team captain he helped lead Delbarton to a state championship. His father Joseph is a Villanova alumnus (class of 1976) and he has a brother Ryan in the class of 2006.
"Neil has the speed and quickness to play anywhere in the defense," Sullivan said.
Chris Quinn, who attends St. John Vianney High School (N.J.),will also enroll at Villanova in the fall. An all-league and all-county midfielder, Quinn played for the Middletown Soccer Club and has good size at 6-1, 180 pounds.
"In our system, Chris has the speed and range to play different positions," said Sullivan.
Versatility is also part of the package that Billy Whitesides (Manheim Tonwship High School) brings to Villanova. At 6-2, 185 pounds, Whitesides played his club soccer with FC Leeds. He can be used on defense or at striker.
"Billy is fast, quick and strong on the ball," said Sullivan. "He has a tremendous upside."
The tenth member of the class of 2008 is Robert "Kregg" Laundon, who will walk on to the team. This midfielder attends East Chapel Hill (N.C.) High School and checks in at 5-10, 165 pounds.
"There is a certain instinct about knowing where to be and Kregg has that," said Sullivan. "He also has good skills."
This class bolsters a veteran core that features eight returning starters for the 2004 campaign.
