Feb. 1, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Following an impressive campaign that featured the Knights advancing to the second round of the NCAA Championship for the second-consecutive year, UCF men's soccer head coach Bryan Cunningham announced his program's 2012 recruiting class Wednesday. The group consists of four players - transfer Anton Sealey and incoming freshmen Mason Miller, Michael Russo and Romario Williams.
UCF is coming off one of the finest seasons in school history. The Knights spent nearly the entire 2011 season in the top 25 nationally, moving to as high as No. 6, and again picked up a victory in the NCAA Championship.
"We are very excited to add this class," Cunnigham said. "We feel great about these young men. They fulfill a lot of needs, not just replacing our group of seniors that just left, but moving forward as we prepare to head to the BIG EAST. This group will get us well on our way."
Anton Sealey
6-1/200
D
Nassau, Bahamas/North Carolina
? A member of North Carolina's 2011 national championship team
? Will have three years of eligibility with the Knights after redshirting in 2010
? Recognized as a TopDrawerSoccer.com Freshman to Watch in 2010
? Youngest member of the 2007 Bahamas National Olympic Team
? Youngest member of 2008 Bahamas full National Team for 2010 World Cup
? Attended St. Stephen's Episcopal High School in Austin, Texas
? Member of 2008 Disney Showcase All-star Team
? Co-captain of 2009 Disney Showcase U18 champions with Lonestar SC
Bryan Cunningham on Anton Sealey: "He is a ball-winner. Anton is versatile - he can play center back or right back and he has come in and blended in right away with our back four. We look forward to big things from him. Anton is a tremendous athlete. He is building up his fitness level now and is getting his touch back."
Mason Miller
6-0/180
M
Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands HS
? Recognized as one of the top midfielders nationally by ESPN RISE
? Rated as the No. 19 player in Texas by TopDrawerSoccer.com
? At Lake Highlands, earned District 9-5A First Team honors as a junior and sophomore
? Plays on the club level for USSDA Solar Chelsea
Bryan Cunningham on Mason Miller: "Mason is a very versatile player. We liked him from the minute that we saw him play. He fits into how we do things. He is a hard worker and a winner. He can play a number of positions and we feel really good about Mason coming in here and helping right away."
Michael Russo
5-7/145
M
McLean, Va./McLean HS
? Recognized as one of the top midfielders nationally by ESPN RISE
? Named one of the top prospects in Virginia by ESPN RISE
? Rated as the No. 18 player in the Mid-Atlantic by TopDrawerSoccer.com
? As a junior at McLean, earned first-team all-district and all-region honors
? Plays on the club level for DC United Soccer Academy
? Played on the U14 and U15 U.S. National Teams in 2008-09
Bryan Cunningham on Michael Russo: "Michael is a tremendous soccer player. We saw him a few years ago and put him right on our list. He can handle the ball. He loves to play holding midfield, which is where we expect him to play. He is very intelligent for his age and we look forward to having Michael come in and fit right into our system and style of play."
Romario Williams
5-11/173
M
Portmore, Jamaica/Kingston College
? Member of the Jamaican U17 National Team
? Played in three matches at the 2011 U17 FIFA World Cup
? Started four of five matches at CONCACAF Qualifiers for the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup
? Played for the Cavaliers FC club team
Bryan Cunningham on Romario Williams: "Romario is a fantastic midfielder. He is here with us in the spring and is doing very well. We look forward to great things from him. He is very technical and sees the field very well. He moves the ball very well and has a lot of bite to play in that center midfield role for us."