Butehorn, @FGCU_MSoccer Unveils Deep And Talented Incoming Class

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Coming off the program's third NCAA Tournament appearance in only four years of eligibility, FGCU men's soccer head coach Bob Butehorn unveiled the team's incoming recruiting class for the 2015 season on Thursday.

The class is large – 14 currently with the possibility of more additions later in the summer – and diversified they hail from five different states (Florida, Missouri, Illinois, Maryland and California) and four different countries (Costa Rica, Spain, Brazil and Canada). The 14 new members join top-100 recruit Dennis Zapata, who committed to the Eagles earlier in the year. More information about the attacking midfielder can be found by clicking here.

"The character and potential for this group is unlike any we've ever had," Butehorn stated. "All of the pieces fell together really nice to get this type of class. They're a good group with a bright future; they're good technically and they fill every need that we had."

The incoming group will be welcomed by 14 returning letterwinners which last year won an unprecedented fifth-straight Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season title with a 4-1-1 record. FGCU went on to defeat UNF in the A-Sun Championship title game, 1-0, to earn its automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Below is more information about each of the 14 commitments, including brief comments from Butehorn on each of his new additions.

	Preston Kilwien Freshman \| Defender \| 6-3 \| Pleasant Hill, Calif. Made 30 appearances as a central defender for De Anza Force Soccer Club, one of the top non-MLS programs in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) … did not play high school soccer as a senior at College Park due to USSDA rules … also played two years at left back and midfield with Diablo FC and helped the team to a national ranking as high as fifth … played three seasons as a midfielder and forward at Campolindo High School in Moraga, Calif. … earned the team's Offensive MVP award as a sophomore and junior … helped his team to a 51-17-11 (.715 winning percentage) record in three varsity seasons … scored 18 goals and distributed 15 assists in three seasons … second-leading scorer in the Diablo Foothill Athletic League (DFAL) as a sophomore with 11 goals and seven assists … two-time Contra Costa Times East Bay Star of the Week … Second Team All-DFAL as a junior and Honorable Mention as a sophomore. Butehorn on Kilwien: "Preston is a left-sided back with good size and he's very athletic. His technical abilities are strong and we think he'll be a great fit with our backline."
	Jordan Lue Redshirt Freshman \| Midfielder \| 6-0 \| Tampa, Fla. Transferred to FGCU after utilizing a redshirt season at UCF … prior to joining the Knights he played with the Chargers Academy as a junior and senior in high school … as a sophomore he scored four goals and notched six assists en route to second team all-county honors at Warton High School … was a starter as a freshman at Warton and helped the team to a district championship with two goals and two assists. Butehorn on Lue: "He will be a holding midfielder for us with exceptional size and speed. He's a solid distributor of the ball and someone who certainly has pro potential."
	Pedro Fonseca Junior \| Winger \| 6-1 \| San José, Costa Rica Transferred to FGCU after spending the previous two years at Briar Cliff University, an NAIA member in Sioux City, Iowa … started all 18 games for the Cliff last year as a sophomore and was named a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Honorable Mention … led the team in shots with 66 and shots on goal with 30 … was second on the team in goals scored with five and led the team in assists with five … as a freshman he was tabbed as a GPAC Honorable Mention while leading the team in goals with five and adding one assist … three of his goals were game-winners … attempted a team-high 50 shots … prior to his time at Briar Cliff he was a three-time letter winner for Colegio Monterrey in his native Costa Rica. Butehorn on Fonseca: "We expect Pedro to be very industrious on the left flank for us. He technically attacks well and looks to get to the goal. He's a great 1 v. 1 attacker."
	Bradley Farias Sophomore \| Forward \| 6-0 \| Indiantown, Fla. Transfer from former A-Sun member Campbell where he spent his freshman season … was named the Freshman of the Year in the Big South Conference as he led all league players in goals (nine) and points (22) and finished second among all players in each category … scored in four consecutive conference games last year, and tallied the game-winner in each of Campbell's two Big South wins … finished with five goals and added three assists for 13 points in nine league tilts … became the first Campbell freshman since 2005 to record 20 or more points in a season … led Campbell with four assists and had nearly 40 more shots than anyone else on the roster with 57 … graduated from South Fork High School in 2014 … he totaled 87 goals in four years, including 33 as a senior … all-area performer … state and Region III ODP (Olympic Development Program) performer … won a National ODP Championship. Butehorn on Farias: "Bradley is just a goal scorer. He has a good nose and feel around the goal. He scores every type of goal that you can imagine and he has a creative side to him."
	Eli Roubos Sophomore \| Defender \| 6-4 \| Toronto, Ontario Transfer from Oregon State where he played his freshman year last season … appeared in seven games for the Beavers, making four starts … made his first start against Duquesne as part of a 2-1 Oregon State victory … helped the Beavers to a 12-8-1 mark in 2014 … prior to joining Oregon State he played 10 years for the Spartacus Soccer Club and two-and-a-half years for the Toronto FC Academy … part of a team that earned silver at the MLS Youth Cup … was invited to the Canadian Men's National Team Camp … competed at the U17 World Cup … made the Toronto FC First Team in the preseason … graduated from Northview Heights Secondary School in his native Toronto. Butehorn on Roubos: "Eli is probably one of the most technical center backs in the county. At 6-4 he uses his size to his advantage and is extremely athletic. He has a strong pedigree having experience with his national team and is a terrific leader."
	Dylan Sacramento Sophomore \| Midfielder \| 5-7 \| Unionville, Ontario Transfer from York University in Canada where he spent his freshman season in 2013 … during that year he started six games and finished fourth on the team with four goals … tied for third on the team in shots with 21 … netted his first career goal as part of a hat trick early in the season … also tallied four goals in six playoff games, including the game-winner in the quarterfinals … helped his team to the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) Championship title … former member of the Canadian U18 National Team and Toronto FC Senior Academy Team … represented Canada at the COTIF U20 Tournament in Spain in August of 2013. Butehorn on Sacramento: "Dylan is a guy who has outstanding character. He also has a very strong pedigree with his national team. He's quick, is versatile in the midfield but he's primarily an attacking midfielder."
	Fernando Ramirez Freshman \| Forward \| 6-4 \| Weston, Fla. Attended Cypress Bay High School where he was named an All-Broward County Honorable Mention as a senior … helped lead his team to a 5A State Championship for the fourth time in five years this past spring … plays his club soccer for Plantation FC, the No. 1 ranked team in Florida and No. 22 ranked team in nation at that level. Butehorn on Ramirez: "Fernando is tall, possesses good athleticism and with a little more work we think he'll fit our system well."
	Chase Webert Freshman \| Goalkeeper \| 6-1 \| St. Peters, Mo. As a senior at Francis Howell High School he was named a First Team All-GAC South selection … posted nine solo shutouts in his final season, and was part of 15 total on the year … finished his senior campaign with a 0.83 goals-against average … helped his team to a third-place finish in Class 4A in Missouri as a senior, notching a 2-0 shutout in that third-place game … put together a string of three-consecutive postseason shutouts, stopping 14 shots in that stretch … gave up just three goals in the final six games of the season … member of the USSDA since 2012 … plays his club soccer for St. Louis Scott Gallagher. Butehorn on Webert: "Chase comes highly recommended and has done really well especially with his club team. He's athletic, has a pretty high ceiling and we feel like he's going to be a very good goalkeeper in the years to come."
	Robert Ferrer Sophomore \| Midfielder \| 5-10 \| Barcelona, Spain Transfer from Brevard College in North Carolina where he spent his freshman season last year playing for the Division II member … appeared in 16 games, making 14 starts for the Tornados … had two goals and two assists for six points … his first collegiate goal and assist came as the game-winner in his first career game … scored his other goal just two days later … attempted 10 of his 22 shots on the year in the first three contests of the season … graduated from IES Calmot in his native Barcelona. Butehorn on Ferrer: "He has a very good pedigree from Spain and has played on some very strong clubs. Technically he's very gifted, he's powerful, tactical in the air and disciplined enough to make clean tackles. He will give us some depth and some experience in the midfield."
	Joseph Malu Freshman \| Winger \| 6-4 \| Gainesville, Fla. As a senior was named The Gainesville Sun's Small School Co-Player of the Year … scored 31 goals and issued 24 assists as a senior … helped lead his Eastside High School team to a 21-0 record until it lost in the regional final … as a junior at Eastside he netted 19 goals and 13 assists for 51 points. Butehorn on Malu: "He's another guy with great speed and with a little further development and getting a little more tactically strong we think he'll be a vital asset to our program. He's exceptionally fast and really good with his back to the goal."
	Sawyer Jackman Freshman \| Goalkeeper \| 6-0 \| St. Charles, Ill. A top prospect in Illinois as a senior … plays for the Chicago Fire U18 team … member of the USSDA since 2012 … helped guide his St. Charles East team to a top-10 national ranking by Top Drawer Soccer early in his senior season. Butehorn on Jackman: "He's built well, is athletic and has good hands. We expect him to develop into a key member for us in net."
	Deion Hunter Freshman \| Defender \| 6-2 \| Laurel, Md. Primarily a midfielder for Meade High School in Maryland where he graduated this spring … played his club soccer for the Arundel Soccer Association … was named by the Baltimore Sun prior to his senior season as a notable player to watch during the 2014 campaign. Butehorn on Hunter: "He's an athlete, he possesses good speed and is another guy who will use his size to his advantage. A left-footer, we're looking for him to compete for a starting role in years to come."
	Alec Waller Freshman \| Defender \| 5-11 \| Columbia, Ill. Graduate of Columbia High School … played his club soccer with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro where he has been a five-year starter … member of the USSDA since 2009 … began his high school career as freshman by being named an all-conference selection. Butehorn on Waller: "Alec comes from a very solid club team. He's a competitor and he's a versatile player – he can play as a holding midfieler or a center back."
	Thiago Silva Freshman \| Forward \| 5-9 \| Brasília, Brazil Played for club teams Brazil Legião and CFZ in his native Brasília, helping his teams win the state cup in Brazil two times … also attended Zion Lutheran in Deerfield Beach, Fla. … most recently attended Colegio Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro in Brazil. Butehorn on Silva: "He's really creative with exceptional technical ability. He's got good size and is extremely athletic."

Silva and his new teammates will look to bolster an FGCU team which went 8-7-5 in 2014 and utilized a grueling non-conference schedule in which they played seven top-100 RPI teams to help prepare them for another A-Sun championship. Furthermore, FGCU extended the nation's longest home regular-season conference unbeaten streak during the 2014 campaign. FGCU has not lost a home regular-season A-Sun game since 2008, a stretch of 26 in a row in which the Eagles are unbeaten (23-0-3).

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men's soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer and Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer.

COACH BUTEHORN
FGCU is led by Bob Butehorn, who has coached 45 A-Sun All-Conference selections since FGCU started its program in 2007. In just four years of postseason eligibility, Butehorn has guided FGCU to three A-Sun Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances – in 2011, 2012 and 2014 – and has won an unprecedented five-straight A-Sun regular-season championships. His teams have been ranked nationally on several occasions by multiple media outlets, and in 2013 he won his 100th career game.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.

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	Preston Kilwien Freshman \| Defender \| 6-3 \| Pleasant Hill, Calif. Made 30 appearances as a central defender for De Anza Force Soccer Club, one of the top non-MLS programs in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) … did not play high school soccer as a senior at College Park due to USSDA rules … also played two years at left back and midfield with Diablo FC and helped the team to a national ranking as high as fifth … played three seasons as a midfielder and forward at Campolindo High School in Moraga, Calif. … earned the team's Offensive MVP award as a sophomore and junior … helped his team to a 51-17-11 (.715 winning percentage) record in three varsity seasons … scored 18 goals and distributed 15 assists in three seasons … second-leading scorer in the Diablo Foothill Athletic League (DFAL) as a sophomore with 11 goals and seven assists … two-time Contra Costa Times East Bay Star of the Week … Second Team All-DFAL as a junior and Honorable Mention as a sophomore. Butehorn on Kilwien: "Preston is a left-sided back with good size and he's very athletic. His technical abilities are strong and we think he'll be a great fit with our backline."
	Jordan Lue Redshirt Freshman \| Midfielder \| 6-0 \| Tampa, Fla. Transferred to FGCU after utilizing a redshirt season at UCF … prior to joining the Knights he played with the Chargers Academy as a junior and senior in high school … as a sophomore he scored four goals and notched six assists en route to second team all-county honors at Warton High School … was a starter as a freshman at Warton and helped the team to a district championship with two goals and two assists. Butehorn on Lue: "He will be a holding midfielder for us with exceptional size and speed. He's a solid distributor of the ball and someone who certainly has pro potential."
	Pedro Fonseca Junior \| Winger \| 6-1 \| San José, Costa Rica Transferred to FGCU after spending the previous two years at Briar Cliff University, an NAIA member in Sioux City, Iowa … started all 18 games for the Cliff last year as a sophomore and was named a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Honorable Mention … led the team in shots with 66 and shots on goal with 30 … was second on the team in goals scored with five and led the team in assists with five … as a freshman he was tabbed as a GPAC Honorable Mention while leading the team in goals with five and adding one assist … three of his goals were game-winners … attempted a team-high 50 shots … prior to his time at Briar Cliff he was a three-time letter winner for Colegio Monterrey in his native Costa Rica. Butehorn on Fonseca: "We expect Pedro to be very industrious on the left flank for us. He technically attacks well and looks to get to the goal. He's a great 1 v. 1 attacker."
	Bradley Farias Sophomore \| Forward \| 6-0 \| Indiantown, Fla. Transfer from former A-Sun member Campbell where he spent his freshman season … was named the Freshman of the Year in the Big South Conference as he led all league players in goals (nine) and points (22) and finished second among all players in each category … scored in four consecutive conference games last year, and tallied the game-winner in each of Campbell's two Big South wins … finished with five goals and added three assists for 13 points in nine league tilts … became the first Campbell freshman since 2005 to record 20 or more points in a season … led Campbell with four assists and had nearly 40 more shots than anyone else on the roster with 57 … graduated from South Fork High School in 2014 … he totaled 87 goals in four years, including 33 as a senior … all-area performer … state and Region III ODP (Olympic Development Program) performer … won a National ODP Championship. Butehorn on Farias: "Bradley is just a goal scorer. He has a good nose and feel around the goal. He scores every type of goal that you can imagine and he has a creative side to him."
	Eli Roubos Sophomore \| Defender \| 6-4 \| Toronto, Ontario Transfer from Oregon State where he played his freshman year last season … appeared in seven games for the Beavers, making four starts … made his first start against Duquesne as part of a 2-1 Oregon State victory … helped the Beavers to a 12-8-1 mark in 2014 … prior to joining Oregon State he played 10 years for the Spartacus Soccer Club and two-and-a-half years for the Toronto FC Academy … part of a team that earned silver at the MLS Youth Cup … was invited to the Canadian Men's National Team Camp … competed at the U17 World Cup … made the Toronto FC First Team in the preseason … graduated from Northview Heights Secondary School in his native Toronto. Butehorn on Roubos: "Eli is probably one of the most technical center backs in the county. At 6-4 he uses his size to his advantage and is extremely athletic. He has a strong pedigree having experience with his national team and is a terrific leader."
	Dylan Sacramento Sophomore \| Midfielder \| 5-7 \| Unionville, Ontario Transfer from York University in Canada where he spent his freshman season in 2013 … during that year he started six games and finished fourth on the team with four goals … tied for third on the team in shots with 21 … netted his first career goal as part of a hat trick early in the season … also tallied four goals in six playoff games, including the game-winner in the quarterfinals … helped his team to the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) Championship title … former member of the Canadian U18 National Team and Toronto FC Senior Academy Team … represented Canada at the COTIF U20 Tournament in Spain in August of 2013. Butehorn on Sacramento: "Dylan is a guy who has outstanding character. He also has a very strong pedigree with his national team. He's quick, is versatile in the midfield but he's primarily an attacking midfielder."
	Fernando Ramirez Freshman \| Forward \| 6-4 \| Weston, Fla. Attended Cypress Bay High School where he was named an All-Broward County Honorable Mention as a senior … helped lead his team to a 5A State Championship for the fourth time in five years this past spring … plays his club soccer for Plantation FC, the No. 1 ranked team in Florida and No. 22 ranked team in nation at that level. Butehorn on Ramirez: "Fernando is tall, possesses good athleticism and with a little more work we think he'll fit our system well."
	Chase Webert Freshman \| Goalkeeper \| 6-1 \| St. Peters, Mo. As a senior at Francis Howell High School he was named a First Team All-GAC South selection … posted nine solo shutouts in his final season, and was part of 15 total on the year … finished his senior campaign with a 0.83 goals-against average … helped his team to a third-place finish in Class 4A in Missouri as a senior, notching a 2-0 shutout in that third-place game … put together a string of three-consecutive postseason shutouts, stopping 14 shots in that stretch … gave up just three goals in the final six games of the season … member of the USSDA since 2012 … plays his club soccer for St. Louis Scott Gallagher. Butehorn on Webert: "Chase comes highly recommended and has done really well especially with his club team. He's athletic, has a pretty high ceiling and we feel like he's going to be a very good goalkeeper in the years to come."
	Robert Ferrer Sophomore \| Midfielder \| 5-10 \| Barcelona, Spain Transfer from Brevard College in North Carolina where he spent his freshman season last year playing for the Division II member … appeared in 16 games, making 14 starts for the Tornados … had two goals and two assists for six points … his first collegiate goal and assist came as the game-winner in his first career game … scored his other goal just two days later … attempted 10 of his 22 shots on the year in the first three contests of the season … graduated from IES Calmot in his native Barcelona. Butehorn on Ferrer: "He has a very good pedigree from Spain and has played on some very strong clubs. Technically he's very gifted, he's powerful, tactical in the air and disciplined enough to make clean tackles. He will give us some depth and some experience in the midfield."
	Joseph Malu Freshman \| Winger \| 6-4 \| Gainesville, Fla. As a senior was named The Gainesville Sun's Small School Co-Player of the Year … scored 31 goals and issued 24 assists as a senior … helped lead his Eastside High School team to a 21-0 record until it lost in the regional final … as a junior at Eastside he netted 19 goals and 13 assists for 51 points. Butehorn on Malu: "He's another guy with great speed and with a little further development and getting a little more tactically strong we think he'll be a vital asset to our program. He's exceptionally fast and really good with his back to the goal."
	Sawyer Jackman Freshman \| Goalkeeper \| 6-0 \| St. Charles, Ill. A top prospect in Illinois as a senior … plays for the Chicago Fire U18 team … member of the USSDA since 2012 … helped guide his St. Charles East team to a top-10 national ranking by Top Drawer Soccer early in his senior season. Butehorn on Jackman: "He's built well, is athletic and has good hands. We expect him to develop into a key member for us in net."
	Deion Hunter Freshman \| Defender \| 6-2 \| Laurel, Md. Primarily a midfielder for Meade High School in Maryland where he graduated this spring … played his club soccer for the Arundel Soccer Association … was named by the Baltimore Sun prior to his senior season as a notable player to watch during the 2014 campaign. Butehorn on Hunter: "He's an athlete, he possesses good speed and is another guy who will use his size to his advantage. A left-footer, we're looking for him to compete for a starting role in years to come."
	Alec Waller Freshman \| Defender \| 5-11 \| Columbia, Ill. Graduate of Columbia High School … played his club soccer with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro where he has been a five-year starter … member of the USSDA since 2009 … began his high school career as freshman by being named an all-conference selection. Butehorn on Waller: "Alec comes from a very solid club team. He's a competitor and he's a versatile player – he can play as a holding midfieler or a center back."
	Thiago Silva Freshman \| Forward \| 5-9 \| Brasília, Brazil Played for club teams Brazil Legião and CFZ in his native Brasília, helping his teams win the state cup in Brazil two times … also attended Zion Lutheran in Deerfield Beach, Fla. … most recently attended Colegio Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro in Brazil. Butehorn on Silva: "He's really creative with exceptional technical ability. He's got good size and is extremely athletic."