George Washington University Athletics
Men's Soccer Welcomes 10 Recruits for 2010
5/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
May 27, 2010
WASHINGTON - George Washington men's soccer head coach George Lidster has announced 10 student-athletes will join the Colonials for the 2010 season, highlighted by National Letter of Intent signees Andrew Aluko, Jeff Eisenbud, Bailey Hinners, Tyler Ranalli, Alex Sandland and Abdul Shaban.
Devon DuBay, Francisco Solorzano and identical twin brothers Casey Wood and Tobey Wood round out the group of 10 incoming freshmen. Lidster has recruited three forwards, four midfielders, two defenders and a goalkeeper to fill the voids left by 11 departing student-athletes, including two-time NSCAA All-Region forward Andy Stadler.
The recruiting class spans six states - Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Virginia - as well as Venezuela, and eight of the 10 players currently compete on club teams competing in the United States Soccer Federation's prestigious Development Academy.
"The past decade was a very successful one for our program, having won two Atlantic 10 Championships, three NCAA APR public recognition awards and an NSCAA team academic award," said Lidster, who enters his 23rd season at GW in 2010. "I expect this incoming class to continue that success both on the field and in the classroom as we begin a new decade."
The Colonials, who had the 27th-best recruiting class according to College Soccer News in 2008, are set to return 13 letterwinners and three starters from last season's 10-8-0 team.
Andrew Aluko
Freshman - Midfielder/Defender
Austin, TX
Westwood High School - Lonestar SC
5-foot-11 - 155 lbs.
Two-time All-District selection ... All-Central Texas selection by Austin American-Statesman as a senior ... Chosen Team MVP as a senior ... Four-year member of Lonestar Soccer Club.
Andrew Colin Olawale Aluko ... Born Oct. 5, 1991 in Austin, TX ... Son of Star Clark ... Has older brother, Anthony, and older sister, Jessica ... Aspires to become a financial advisor and intends to major in business.
Lidster's Take: "Andrew is a fast player who likes to get forward from either outside back or outside midfield. A great addition to the program who gives us greater attacking options."
Devon DuBay
Freshman - Goalkeeper
Virginia Beach, VA
Norfolk Academy - Virginia Rush
6-foot-5 - 200 lbs.
Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) All-State First Team and All-Virginia Prep League team as a junior in 2008.
Devon Instone Dubay ... Born Jan. 23, 1992 in Virginia Beach, VA ... Son of Hayden and Sherri Dubay ... Has older sister, Brittany, and younger brother, Derek ... Aspires to become a personal injury lawyer or commercial contractor and intends to major in business.
Lidster's Take: "Devon is a good goalkeeper with an athletic frame who is a great shot stopper and likes to command his goal area. He will be pushing Brendan Lafferty for a starting position in the fall."
Jeff Eisenbud
Freshman - Forward/Midfielder
West Orange, NJ
Millburn High School - PDA Larsson
5-foot-10 - 175 lbs.
Played club soccer for PDA Larsson in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 program in 2009-10 ... Helped Millburn HS to at least a share of three straight Essex County Tournament championships and back-to-back NJSIAA Group 3 finals, including a South Jersey title in 2008 ... Missed end of senior season due to hip surgery.
Jeffrey Conner Eisenbud ... Born Nov. 25, 1991 in Livingston, NJ ... Son of Gary and Mindy Eisenbud ... Has older sister, Jessica ... Intends to major in philosophy.
Lidster's Take: "Jeff is a fast, dynamic player who can score and create goals from the forward or wide midfield position. He has the speed to get behind the defense and could make an immediate impact at the collegiate level."
Bailey Hinners
Freshman - Midfielder
Austin, TX
Westlake High School - Lonestar SC
5-foot-11 - 165 lbs.
Team captain totaled 11 goals and 15 assists to lead Westlake HS to 19-6-3 overall record and state semifinal appearance as a senior in 2010. Named to state All-Tournament team ... Two-time First Team All-District ... As a junior, led Central Texas with 17 assists and added nine goals to earn All-Region honors ... Trained with England's Stoke City Academy in fall of junior year ... Helped Lonestar SC to two State Cup titles, two USYSNC regional finals and a Dallas Cup final.
Andrew Bailey Hinners ... Born Jan. 6, 1992 in Houston, Texas ... Son of John and Patti Hinners ... Has younger sister, Aubry ... Intends to major in business.
Lidster's Take: "Bailey is a dynamic midfield player. He plays with a lot of energy and is a good passer of the ball. He will make an immediate impact on our program."
Tyler Ranalli
Freshman - Forward
Powell, OH
Olentangy Liberty High School - Columbus Crew Academy
5-foot-11 - 165 lbs.
Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division First Team selection, Second Team All-District and Team MVP as a senior in 2009 ... Second Team All-Cardinal Division as a junior in 2008 ... Three-year letterwinner and two-year team captain at Olentangy Liberty HS ... Four-year member of Columbus Crew Soccer Academy.
Tyler Atria Ranalli ... Born July 29, 1992 in Baltimore, MD ... Son of Paul and Amy Ranalli ... Has younger brother, Alex, and younger sister, Emma.
Lidster's Take: "Tyler is a striker who makes very intelligent runs and is composed on the ball. He is very good at holding the ball and getting other players involved in the action."
Alex Sandland
Freshman - Midfielder
Atlanta, GA
East Coweta High School - Concorde Fire Elite
6-foot - 180 lbs.
Newnan Times-Herald Player of the Year ... Led East Coweta to Georgia AAAAA state championship game, totaling school-record 24 goals and six assists as a senior in 2009 ... All-Coweta County selection as a junior in 2008 ... Participated on Disney's Soccer Showcase All-Star Team, which trained at Chelsea FC in England and competed against top international youth teams ... Played and captained Concorde Fire club team, which competes in U.S. Soccer Development Academy, for four years.
Alexander Keith Sandland ... Born Jan. 28, 1992 in Oxford, England ... Son of Keith Sandland and Sharon and Richard Tranter ... Has four younger brothers ... Elliott and Jacob Tranter, Haydan and Nathan Sandland ... and two younger sisters ... Beth and Carsy Sandland ... Intends to major in sports business management.
Lidster's Take: "Alex is a strong, athletic player who will add a physical presence to the team. He's very good in the air and has the ability to play in defense or midfield next fall."
Abdul Shaban
Freshman - Defender
Ashburn, VA
Stone Bridge High School - McLean Hurricanes
6-foot - 175 lbs.
Has helped Stone Bridge to 11-2 overall mark and 5-2 record in Virginia AAA Liberty District through Spring 2010 season. Has seven goals and two assists through 13 matches ... Stone Bridge currently ranked 25th in ESPN Rise Spring Fab 50 rankings ... Honorable mention All-Met by The Washington Post, All-Liberty District, All-Loudon County and All-Northern Virginia Region as a junior in 2009 ... Helped Bulldogs to Northern Virginia regional championship and earned Second Team All-District honors as a sophomore in 2008 ... Member of three-time Virginia State Cup champion McLean Hurricanes club team ... Two-year Virginia ODP selection ... Also two-year placekicker for Stone Bridge football team. Helped Bulldogs to state title in 2008 and set Virginia High School League state record for consecutive PAT conversions ... Older brother, Ronnie, is two-year starting defender for Columbia University men's soccer.
Abdul Samir Shaban ... Born Sept. 13, 1992 in Fairfax, VA ... Son of Samir and Karen Shaban ... Has two older brothers, Hussein and Ronnie, and younger sister, Alieh ... Intends to major in engineering.
Lidster's Take: "Abdul is an athletic defender who reads the game well and is also very composed with the ball at his feet. He is an experienced, versatile player who can play in defense or in midfield."
Francisco Solorzano
Freshman - Forward
Caracas, Venezuela
Escuela Campo Alegre - IMG Academies
6-foot-1 - 182 lbs.
Currently participates for IMG Academies' U-19 squad in Bradenton, FL ... Helped Escuela Campo Alegre to second-place finish in Venezuelan Association of North American Schools (VANAS) and Caribbean Area International Schools Sports Association (CAISSA) tournaments ... Helped Cougars to second-place finish at CAISSA tournament in 2008 ... Son of former GW men's soccer player Carlos Solorzano, who played from 1978-80.
Francisco Juan Solorzano ... Born Oct. 21, 1991 in Caracas, Venezuela ... Son of Carlos Solorzano and Najla Fakhri ... Two younger sisters, Najla and Juliana.
Lidster's Take: "Francisco is a talented midfielder who has the ability to pass accurately over short and long distances. He will add depth to the midfield."
Casey Wood
Freshman - Defender/Midfielder
Glencoe, IL
New Trier High School - Chicago Magic Academy
6-foot-3 - 170 lbs.
Identical twin brother of GW recruit Tobey Wood ... Opted to compete year-round with club teams during four scholastic seasons ... Three-year starter for Chicago Sockers FC from 2006-08, led squad in assists in 2008 ... Played for Chicago Magic Academy in 2009-10, helping club to national semifinals under coach Raul Diaz Arce, former DC United and MLS forward ... Helped club teams to three State Cup titles and two regional final appearances ... Two-year participant for Illinois ODP.
Casey Weston Wood ... Born Jan. 23, 1992 in Chicago, IL ... Son of Scott and Karen Wood ... Has older sister, Lindsey, and identical twin brother, Tobey ... Aspires to be a lawyer and intends to major in pre-law.
Lidster's Take: "A strong, physical defender who will add a physical presence to a back line which loses the services of Byron Walker, Nikolay Aleksandrov, Mike Holland and Will Doar to graduation."
Tobey Wood
Freshman - Midfielder
Glencoe, IL
New Trier High School - Chicago Magic Academy
6-foot-3 - 175 lbs.
Identical twin brother of GW recruit Casey Wood ... Opted to compete year-round with club teams during four scholastic seasons ... Three-year starter for Chicago Sockers FC from 2006-08, led squad in scoring in 2008 ... Played for Chicago Magic Academy in 2009-10, helping club to national semifinals under coach Raul Diaz Arce, former DC United and MLS forward ... Helped club teams to three State Cup titles and two regional final appearances ... Two-year participant for Illinois ODP.
Tobey Cooper Wood ... Born Jan. 23, 1992 in Chicago, IL ... Son of Scott and Karen Wood ... Has older sister, Lindsey, and identical twin brother, Casey ... Aspires to be a lawyer or investment banker and intends to major in pre-law.
Lidster's Take: "Like his twin brother, Tobey could play in defense or midfield and will compete for a action at both positions."
