Drexel University Athletics
Men's Soccer Inks Five For 2011 Campaign
2/12/2011 9:35:21 AM | Men's Soccer
Philadelphia – Drexel Men's Soccer Head Coach Doug Hess has announced the signing of five student-athletes to national letters of intent to join the Dragons for the 2011 season. Connor Goldsmith (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield/PA Classics Academy), Matheus Goncalves (Framingham, Mass./Worcester Academy/FC Greater Boston Bolts Academy), John Grosh (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township/PA Classics Academy), Robert Liberatore (Cary, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons/CASL Chelsea FC Academy) and Ridge Robinson (Littleton, Colo./Colorado Virtual Academy/Colorado Rush AJ Auxerre Academy) will all suit up for the Dragons this fall.
“We are excited about this group of young men and their desire to be a part of our program,” said Drexel Head Coach Doug Hess. “They all bring unique skill sets to our group, along with solid playing backgrounds and the character necessary to be a successful student-athlete at Drexel University.”
Goldsmith is a talented offensive player who helped lead his Hempfield High team to the Pennsylvania AAA State Championship as a senior. He was a two-time league all-star and named his team's Offensive MVP as a junior. Goldsmith currently plays for the PA Classics USSF 18 Academy and was a member of a squad that made it to the 2008 EPYSA State Cup Championship.
“Connor is a technically sound player that can play in a variety of roles throughout the midfield," Hess said. "He has a solid understanding of the game and totally buys into the idea of keeping the game simple.”
Goncalves is a midfielder from Framingham, Mass. where he played for the FC Greater Boston Bolts USSF 18 Academy that won the Northeast Division Championship in 2010. He also earned Bay State honors at Framingham High where he also was a two-time Division I High School State Championship Runner-up. Upon graduation, Goncalves' elected to do a post-graduate year at Worcester Academy and earned All New England Prep School honors.
“Matheus is a solid attacking midfield type and a soccer afficionado," Hess said. "He is a clever passer and also has the ability to finish plays. Despite his height, Matheus also possesses exceptional timing in the air.”
John Grosh, who along with Goldsmith, is one of two new Dragons who play for the PA Classics USSF 18 Academy. Grosh is a 6-foot-1 midfielder who helped lead his Manheim Township squad to league championships in 2008 and 2009, earning All Lancaster-Lebanon First Team honors.
“John has loads of personality and this is reflected on the field," Hess said. "He has great range and variety to his passing ability, and is extremely composed when in possession of the ball.”
Liberatore will help to bolster the Dragons' defensive unit this year. The Cary, N.C. native brings all-state credentials with him to University City. His Cardinal Gibbons High team was a two-time state champion with Liberatore playing at midfield and in the back. He was a member of the NC ODP team from 2006-08 and a four-time NCYSA State Cup Champion. Liberatore currently captains the CASL Chelsea FC 18 Academy side that won the Atlantic Division and Southern Conference titles in 2010, advancing to the USSF Academy Finals Week at the Home Depot Center last summer.
“Robert has an everyday kind of mentality and is a proven winner," Hess said. "As a coach, you know exactly what you will get out of him when you step on the field and can rely on his consistency. He is a solid defender and leader along the back line.”
Ridge Robinson is a talented offensive player from Colorado who played with current Drexel Dragon midfielder, Ken Tribbett, for the Colorado Rush AJ Auxerre Academy. He was a member of Colorado's ODP team and the Region IV team from 2005-08. Currently, Robinson and his Colorado Rush Academy team sit in first place of the Frontier Division of the Central Conference for the USSF 18 Academy League.
“Ridge has the ability to unbalance defenders and enjoys taking on players in one-versus-one situations," Hess said. "He is an unbelievably motivated individual and is constantly looking for opportunities to better himself in the game.”
With a solid core of returners back for the Dragons, including All-CAA midfielders Nathan Page and Ken Tribbett, Drexel will look to build on its performance in Hess' second season as the team climbs toward the upper tier of the CAA.
“We are excited about this group of young men and their desire to be a part of our program,” said Drexel Head Coach Doug Hess. “They all bring unique skill sets to our group, along with solid playing backgrounds and the character necessary to be a successful student-athlete at Drexel University.”
Goldsmith is a talented offensive player who helped lead his Hempfield High team to the Pennsylvania AAA State Championship as a senior. He was a two-time league all-star and named his team's Offensive MVP as a junior. Goldsmith currently plays for the PA Classics USSF 18 Academy and was a member of a squad that made it to the 2008 EPYSA State Cup Championship.
“Connor is a technically sound player that can play in a variety of roles throughout the midfield," Hess said. "He has a solid understanding of the game and totally buys into the idea of keeping the game simple.”
Goncalves is a midfielder from Framingham, Mass. where he played for the FC Greater Boston Bolts USSF 18 Academy that won the Northeast Division Championship in 2010. He also earned Bay State honors at Framingham High where he also was a two-time Division I High School State Championship Runner-up. Upon graduation, Goncalves' elected to do a post-graduate year at Worcester Academy and earned All New England Prep School honors.
“Matheus is a solid attacking midfield type and a soccer afficionado," Hess said. "He is a clever passer and also has the ability to finish plays. Despite his height, Matheus also possesses exceptional timing in the air.”
John Grosh, who along with Goldsmith, is one of two new Dragons who play for the PA Classics USSF 18 Academy. Grosh is a 6-foot-1 midfielder who helped lead his Manheim Township squad to league championships in 2008 and 2009, earning All Lancaster-Lebanon First Team honors.
“John has loads of personality and this is reflected on the field," Hess said. "He has great range and variety to his passing ability, and is extremely composed when in possession of the ball.”
Liberatore will help to bolster the Dragons' defensive unit this year. The Cary, N.C. native brings all-state credentials with him to University City. His Cardinal Gibbons High team was a two-time state champion with Liberatore playing at midfield and in the back. He was a member of the NC ODP team from 2006-08 and a four-time NCYSA State Cup Champion. Liberatore currently captains the CASL Chelsea FC 18 Academy side that won the Atlantic Division and Southern Conference titles in 2010, advancing to the USSF Academy Finals Week at the Home Depot Center last summer.
“Robert has an everyday kind of mentality and is a proven winner," Hess said. "As a coach, you know exactly what you will get out of him when you step on the field and can rely on his consistency. He is a solid defender and leader along the back line.”
Ridge Robinson is a talented offensive player from Colorado who played with current Drexel Dragon midfielder, Ken Tribbett, for the Colorado Rush AJ Auxerre Academy. He was a member of Colorado's ODP team and the Region IV team from 2005-08. Currently, Robinson and his Colorado Rush Academy team sit in first place of the Frontier Division of the Central Conference for the USSF 18 Academy League.
“Ridge has the ability to unbalance defenders and enjoys taking on players in one-versus-one situations," Hess said. "He is an unbelievably motivated individual and is constantly looking for opportunities to better himself in the game.”
With a solid core of returners back for the Dragons, including All-CAA midfielders Nathan Page and Ken Tribbett, Drexel will look to build on its performance in Hess' second season as the team climbs toward the upper tier of the CAA.
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