HAMILTON – Colgate's John W. Beyer Head Men's Soccer Coach Erik Ronning announced the addition of a deep and talented group of scholar-athletes who will compete for the Raiders this fall.
 
The Class of 2019 consists of two goalkeepers, four forwards, four midfielders and two defenders, all who hail from five different states plus one from Canada.
 
"Today is a great day for the program and I am so thrilled these young men are now a part of the Colgate Soccer family," Ronning said. "As a staff, we spent a tremendous amount of time evaluating and building relationships with each player. All of them possess the qualities necessary to make them successful on the field, in the classroom and in the community at Colgate. Most importantly, all are great people and high-character individuals who will represent Colgate Athletics in the brightest light.

"Their contribution levels on the field as first-years will depend upon how each transitions to the college game. However, with the addition of these scholar-athletes to the program, not only do we expect to make the Patriot League Tournament, we expect to compete for a championship."

Despite narrowly missing out on the Patriot League Tournament in 2014, Ronning foresees great things for the Raiders in 2015 and beyond. The program returns 10 experienced starters in addition to this talented group of incoming players. Colgate, with Ronning at the helm, has advanced to the conference tournament eight of the last 10 seasons, while winning league titles in 2007, 2008 and 2011.

Colgate Raiders Class of 2019

Jeremy Arnold: 5-9, Midfielder; Kingston, Ontario
(Ottawa Fury, Regiopolis Notre Dame High School)
 
Ronning on Arnold: "Jeremy is a talented and technical midfielder with a high soccer IQ. He is a quality passer of the ball, has great movement, and is extremely active from box to box. Jeremy makes those around him better."   
 
Ryan Bellavance: 6-2, Midfielder; Medfield, Mass.
(FC Blazers; The Rivers School)
 
Ronning on Bellavance: "Ryan has the size, speed and technique to be a tremendous player for Colgate as a defensive midfielder or center back. He is a competitor, a warrior, and willing to do the work in the trenches."  
 
Steven DeLeo: 5-9, Forward; Acton, Mass.
(FC Blazers; Acton-Boxborough High School)
 
Ronning on DeLeo: "Steven is a tremendous athlete who is tough as nails, has an unbelievable work rate and an unmatched competitive edge. He is a very dangerous attacking player who will be a handful to deal with." 
 
Matthew Glick: 5-11, Defender; Santa Monica, Calif.
(Santa Monica United; Harvard Westlake High School)
 
Ronning on Glick: "Matt is a natural leader, a winner and an extremely hard worker with a great engine. He is very skilled with a tremendous left foot, and will be a remarkable two-way outside back for Colgate."
 
Oliver Harris: 6-1, Midfielder; Chappaqua, N.Y.
(Everton FC Westchester USSF Academy; Horace Greeley High School)
 
Ronning on Harris: "Oliver is a central midfielder with tremendous feet, great range and a quality left foot. His work ethic and competitive nature will be welcome additions to the program." 
 
Neeraj Mahey: 6-2, Goalkeeper; Acton, Mass.
(Boston Bolts Celtic; St. Mark's School)
 
Ronning on Mahey: "Neeraj has great physical tools, with the talent and work ethic that could take him a long way. The quality he adds to the program will make us better at the goalkeeper position."
 
Tim Oberg: 5-10, Midfielder; Bethesda, Md.
(DC United USSF Academy; Sidwell Friends School)
 
Ronning on Oberg: "Tim a very good soccer player tactically and technically. He has the bite and tenacity that are essential at this level. Tim has the ability to make a huge impact on the program this fall."
 
Uyiosa Omorogbe: 5-11, Forward; Niskayuna, N.Y.
(Shattuck St. Mary's USSF Academy; Shattuck St. Mary's)
 
Ronning on Omorogbe: "Uyi possesses all the athleticism and skill to be a force in the college game. I believe his impact on Colgate Soccer will be significant. He is a very talented and dangerous attacking threat who has a great future ahead of him."
 
Aram Ouligian: 6-4, Defender; Needham, Mass.
(FC Blazers; Needham High School)
 
Ronning on Ouligian: "Aram is an imposing center back with size, skill and great leadership ability. I am confident he will make a great impression on Colgate Soccer both on and off the field early in his career."
 
Abdel Sanogo: 6-2, Forward; Plano, Texas
(Dallas Texans USSF Academy; Plano West High School)
 
Ronning on Sanogo: "Abdel is off the charts athletically, is very strong physically, and is an absolute handful as a forward. He has all the attributes tangibly and intangibly to make a huge impact on our program this fall."
 
Henry Shafer: 6-1, Goalkeeper; Chadds Ford, Pa.
(Kirkwood Academy; Unionville High School)
 
Ronning on Shafer: "With his size, athleticism and attitude, Henry has a very high ceiling. He will add great depth to our goalkeeping core, and I know his best days are ahead of him."
 
Benjamin Snider: 5-10, Forward; Clarkston, Mich.
(Crew Academy Wolves USSF Academy; Clarkston High School)
 
Ronning on Snider: "Ben is a smart, technical and dynamic attacking player. With great vision and passing ability, he has a diverse skill set and great attacking instincts. We foresee great things for Ben."
 
Ronning on the additions and future of his program:
"This is a very exciting time for Colgate Soccer, and I know this is an outstanding group both from a soccer quality and personal character standpoint. The coaching staff spent a lot of time in the evaluation process getting to know each player individually and having a great understanding about the person behind the player, which is the most critical aspect in recruiting. They are a group of winners, and I expect great things throughout their collegiate soccer careers at Colgate."

The Raiders open the 2015 spring exhibition season March 8 against Absolute90 (Canadian club team) on Beyer-Small '76 Field.