Feb. 24, 2011
VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova Wildcats announced the signing of three high school seniors to national letters of intent. The trio of newcomers will enroll for the fall semester and begin play with the Wildcats in 2011.
The group includes Aaron Dennis of Elmont, N.Y; Matthew Wiltse of Belle Meade, N.J.; and Hayden Harr of Morris Planes, N.J.
Dennis is the No. 6 ranked recruit in New York according to Top Drawer Soccer and is also listed among the nation's top 150 recruits by College Soccer News. He plays club soccer for Cosmos East U 18 Development Academy and was a part of the 2009 USSF Development Academy Starting XI All-Star Team. At Elmont Memorial High School, he was named to the 2009 All-Nassau County Team.
"Aaron brings a great deal of size, athleticism and power! His ability to beat defenders off the dribble and create scoring chances in the final attacking third will make him a force in the Big East," states Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "From the beginning of the recruiting process, it was obvious that Aaron was meant to be at Villanova and we fully expect him to thrive in this environment. "
Wiltse attends Montgomery High School and plays club soccer for PDA U18 Development Academy. In 2009 he was in the U-18 National Team camp and is the No. 37 recruit nationally according to Top Drawer Soccer. In addition, he also is listed among the nation's Top 150 recruits by College Soccer News and the No. 5 ranked recruit in the state of New Jersey by Top Drawer Soccer. He is a two-time all-state choice in New Jersey as well as a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee.
Stated Carlin: "Matt is a solid, versatile, tough defender who also likes to attack forward from wide positions. We will relay on him to be an immediate impact player either in the back or midfield line. He comes not only from a club that is no stranger to Villanova in PDA but from a tremendous soccer family as his brother just graduated from University of South Carolina after a very successful college career. We know Matt will be a welcome addition to our Villanova family."
Rounding out the trio of February signees is Harr, a proven goal scorer at Seton Hall Prep (N.J.). Like Wiltse, he played his club soccer for PDA U18 Development Academy. In 2010, he was recognized as a first team All-State selection in New Jersey after scoring 20 goals and adding 15 assists for the Prep. He was also selected to the 2010 Region I team. He is a two-time member of the first team Non-Public A team and was part of the 2009 Super Y national team. ESPN Rise selected him as its national player of the week on September 29, 2010.
"Hayden is a tough, gritty, hard-working attacking personality who likes to get after defenders in one-on-one situations," stated Carlin. "He has an uncanny ability to be very opportunistic around the goal so we look forward to him bringing this same quality to Villanova. His size, athleticism and work ethic will help him handle the transition to the Big East."
It is expected the Wildcats will announce additions to the class of 2015 in the spring.
