HAMILTON, N.Y. (4/4/12) - John W. Beyer Head Men's Soccer Coach Erik Ronning has announced the addition of nine talented student-athletes that will begin their playing careers with the Colgate men's soccer team this fall. 

“I am thrilled this group will be joining the Colgate soccer family this fall,” stated Ronning. “Each player has the ability to make an immediate impact on the program, and will fit in very well with our system and successful culture here at Colgate."

The group includes eight freshmen from six different states, and a sophomore transfer. The nine players consist of one forward, one defender, five midfielders and two defensive midfielders.

 “This is an extremely athletic, high character, and talented class,” Ronning said. “We addressed our program needs, and I am confident this group will help Colgate soccer continue to compete for Patriot League Championships, play at a national level, succeed as students, and contribute positively to the Hamilton and Colgate communities. They are all great players, great students, and terrific young men.”
 
Tyler Forbes:  6-0, Forward, Manlius, N.Y. (Empire United Academy; Fayetteville-Manlius High School)

Quick Facts: A four-year starter for NY State Powerhouse Fayetteville-Manlius, Forbes enjoyed a tremendous senior year being named First Team All-State, NSCAA All-Region, NSCAA All-American, and NSCAA Scholar All-American. The two-year captain and four-year starter amassed 35 goals and 18 assists over the course of his career, and was named the Central New York Player of the Year in 2011. Outside of high school, Tyler plays for Empire United Academy, which competed in the USDA playoffs in 2011. 

Ronning on Forbes: “Ever since I saw Tyler his sophomore year, I knew he would be a great fit for the Colgate soccer program. I believe he will make an immediate impact on our program, and compete for playing time if not a starting role.  Tyler is an absolute handful for defenders to deal with, and he reminds me a lot of Steven Miller '11.  He has great speed, holds the ball well, has a relentless work ethic, and is a natural leader. Tyler will add a lot to the program both on and off the field.”
 
Ryan Groffie:  6-0, Defender, Toms River, N.J. (NJSA Academy; Toms River High School North)

Quick Facts: A three-year starter and two-year captain for Toms River High School North, Groffie earned First Team All-State Central Section II honors his senior year, was a Second Team All-Shore selection, and was his team's Most Valuable Player. Currently, Groffie competes for NJSA in the US Developmental Academy. Prior to playing for NJSA, Groffie was a member of the USYSA Region I team.

Ronning on Groffie: “After seeing Ryan play prior to his junior year, and with his academy team at the various showcases, we knew he would be a perfect fit for Colgate. Ryan has great defensive instincts, is very composed, and has great technical and athletic ability. We expect him to make a definite impact at center back or defensive midfield, and know his best days are ahead of him.”
 
Dan Matthews:  5-8, Midfielder, Ambler, Pa. (Penn Fusion; Wissahickon High School)

Quick Facts: A four-year varsity player at Wissahickon High School, Matthews earned all-conference accolades in his junior and senior seasons, and all-area honors this past fall. In 2011, his Penn Fusion Soccer Academy team won the Pennsylvania State Championship, USYSA Region 1 Championship, and advanced to the USYSA National Finals, finishing as national runners-up in a penalty kick shoot-out. 

Ronning on Matthews: “We are very excited about Dan and know he will be a great player for Colgate soccer. He was under the radar a bit in the recruiting process, and impressed us more and more each time we saw him play. Dan can play just about any position in the midfield or outside back, and is as tough as nails. He has a warrior mentality, and I expect Dan to compete for playing time immediately.”
 
Cameron McCaslin:  6-3, Midfielder, Arvada, Colo. (Colorado Rush Academy; Faith Christian Academy)

Quick Facts: During his time at Faith Christian Academy, McCaslin was named First Team All-State twice, and First Team All-Conference four times. In 2011, he led Faith Christian to the 3 A Colorado State Championship while serving as team captain his senior year.  McCaslin plays for Colorado Rush in the US Developmental Academy, who competed in the USDA Playoffs in the summer of 2011. 
  
Ronning on McCaslin: “Cameron is a gifted technical player with a creative soccer mind. He is very mature, a winner and a great leader. We could not be more pleased with his decision to attend Colgate.  Cameron's combination of skill, size, and athleticism will add another dimension to our midfield that I feel we have been missing. I anticipate Cameron making great contributions to Colgate soccer early in his career. “
 
Kyle Reilly:  5-9, Midfielder/Defender, Delmar, N.Y. (Black Watch Midlothians; La Salle Institute)

Quick Facts: A four-year starter at LaSalle, Reilly was named First Team All-Big Ten Conference, Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, and was a member of the Capital District Section II All-Stars in the fall of 2011. As the captain of the Black Watch Midlothians club team, Kyle led this team to the Eastern New York State Championship and USYSA Regional Semi-Finals this past summer. 

Ronning on Reilly: “We first saw Kyle at our One-Day Camp last March, and were immediately impressed with this athleticism, skill, versatility, leadership, and over all toughness. Kyle is a “glue” guy and a winner who can do a little of everything, and will provide a strong presence in the midfielder back line.  His attributes will translate well into being a quality player at Colgate over four years. I do expect Kyle to compete for playing time as a first-year student athlete.”

Nick Rizzo:  5-11, Midfielder, St. Louis, Mo. (Scott Gallagher Academy; Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day)

Quick Facts: Over the course of his high school career at Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day, Nick scored 43 goals and 42 assists. Rizzo was named all-conference, all-region, and first team all-state his senior year and served as team captain. A starting midfielder with St. Louis Scott Gallagher, Nick helped his academy team advance to the USDA playoffs in the summer of 2011. 

Ronning on Rizzo: “Nick is an exceptional wing player with great skill and speed. His soccer intelligence is very high, and has the ability to be one of the best wing players in the Patriot League. Nick has a great combination of athleticism and technical ability, and I believe he will have a great impact on the field this fall, and in future years. His personality lends itself to being a great leader for Colgate soccer in the upcoming years.” 

Drew Thompson:  5-10, Midfielder, Hamilton, N.Y. (Empire United Academy; Hamilton Central High School)

Quick Facts: Drew had a tremendous high school season this past fall, leading Hamilton Central to the New York Class D State Championship. Thompson scored 44 goals and contributed 42 assists over his career at HCS, was named First Team All-Central New York in 2011, Mohawk Valley Player of the Year, and second team all-state. In his time at HCS, Hamilton Central won four sectional titles, four Regional titles, and played four times in the New York State Final Four. Drew led his Empire United team to the New York West State Championship in 2011, and USYSA Region 1 Semi-Finals. 

Ronning on Thompson: “We have been following Drew since his freshman year in high school, and could not be more pleased with his decision to be a part of Colgate soccer. He definitely flew under the radar, and I know he will be a great player and leader for us here at Colgate. Drew has tremendous pace, and will be one of the fastest players on our team and in the Patriot League.  His growth over the years has been remarkable, and with his drive and work ethic, I know he will develop into an extremely dynamic attacking player for the Raiders.”

Taylor Walter:  5-11, Defender/Midfielder, Overland Park, Kan. (Sporting KC Juniors Academy; Blue Valley High School)

Quick Facts: A product of Blue Valley High School, Walter served as team captain this past fall, and guided his team to the 2011 state final. The four-year starter was named first team all-league, First Team All-Northeast Kansas, and first team all-state as a senior. For the past four years, Walter has played for the Sporting KC Juniors of the US Developmental Academy. 

Ronning on Walter: “Taylor is a winner, and an extremely versatile player with a tremendous up-side. He can play at outside back as he does a great job getting forward into the attack, and has the technical ability and game sense to contribute at any midfield position, particularly in the middle. Taylor's combination of athleticism, technique, work ethic, and leadership, will enable him to have a very successful career at Colgate.”   
 
Rex Messing:  5-10, Midfielder, Ridgefield, Conn. (Oakwood SC Academy; Ridgefield High School)

Quick Facts: Messing comes to Colgate from Northeastern University where he started the first game of the 2010 season before suffering a season-ending injury. He is currently enrolled at Colgate and has three years of eligibility remaining. The Ridgefield, Conn. native, who is the son of former professional soccer player Roy Messing and nephew of former Olympian Shep Messing, was a four-year midfielder for Ridgefield High from 2006-09. Messing was named a captain for the 2009 campaign, and was named Team MVP, All-FCIAC and all-area for his production that season. Messing's squad made the FCIAC Finals in 2007 and 2009, and his team won the State LL Championship in 2007. Outside of High School, Messing competed for Oakwood SC in the US Developmental Academy system. 

Ronning on Messing: “Rex has acclimated well with our current team both on and off the field, and is a much welcomed addition to the Colgate men's soccer program. He is technically solid, tough, and as competitive as they come. His range of passing and ability to strike a ball from distance adds a much-needed dimension to our midfield.  We expect Rex to make great contributions in the fall, and for the next three years.