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Coleman Announces 2009 Recruits For Milwaukee Men's Soccer Team
Feb. 4, 2009
MILWAUKEE - Head coach Jon Coleman announced his 2009 recruiting class today, as seven players will enroll at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and compete next season for the UWM men's soccer team. "We definitely focused this recruiting class on filling in the areas where we need additional help," Coleman said. "This group of guys gives us a lot of stability and a lot of options to play different players at any given time to give us consistency. This is a good group of guys to add into the mix. They have great character and charisma and are very talented." The incoming class includes four local players: Cody Banks of Madison, Wis., Robert Jarosz of Milwaukee, Wis., Andrew Wiedabach of Mequon, Wis., and Taylor Zyvoloski of Port Washington, Wis. The three others are Matthew Bewley of Flower Mound, Tex., Florian Birouste of Wahroonga, Australia, and Ryan Whitehead of Fayetteville, Ga.
Banks wrapped up a stellar career at Madison Memorial, graduating as the school's all-time leading scorer with 64 goals, including 21 game-winners, and 46 assists. The talented forward was named First Team Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association All-State as a senior when he scored 20 goals and added 12 assists. He was the Capital Times Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year, was a four-time First Team All-Big Eight Conference selection and a four-time all-city choice. In addition to the first team all-state accolades as a senior, he was chosen honorable mention all-state his first three seasons. "Cody is athletic and quick with and without the ball," Coleman said. "He is a proven clinical finisher who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time."
Jarosz wrapped up his career at Marquette High School with a state championship this past fall, helping lead the team to a 22-2-1 record where it was ranked No. 1 in state all year long and finished No. 8 in the final NSCAA National Poll. He scored 16 goals - including the game-winner in the state championship game - and added 11 assists in a senior season that saw him earn Second Team Greater Metro Conference and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All-Area honors. He was also tabbed for all-state honorable mention honors. "Robert is a left-footed, skillful and versatile two-way player who could play in the midfield or in the back," Coleman said. "He is a hard-nosed kid with a great work ethic."
Wiedabach was a Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association First Team All-State selection at Homestead High School. He was named North Shore Conference Player of the Year after a 12 goal, 10 assist season that ended in the state semifinals. The four-year varsity starter was team MVP and captain as a senior. "Andrew is a game-changing player," Coleman said. "He has good vision on the field and is an attacking threat. He has great creativity and gives us a different dimension in our attack."
Zyvoloski comes to UWM from nearby Port Washington High School, earning honorable mention all-state honors at goalkeeper as a senior. He also was named honorable mention All-North Shore Conference and was a team captain his last two seasons. He led his team to a state championship in 2007 and was a state finalist in 2006 and 2005 as well. The team MVP as a sophomore earned all-league honors as a sophomore and junior. "Taylor is composed, confident and known for making the big save," Coleman said. "He has great presence in the box. He is a very tidy goalkeeper and is a great addition to the unit."
Bewley was a three-year varsity starter at Flower Mound High School (Tex.). He was named team MVP during his freshman season and to the all-district team in 2008. He was a member of the Andromeda "91" club team that won the U.S. Youth National Championship in 2008. That is the same club that current Panther players Eric Frazier and DJ Alexander won back-to-back championships with in 2007 and 2008. "Matt is a hard-working, brave and athletic forward," Coleman said. "He scores big goals in big games. His hard work helps create goals for himself and others. His tenacious presence often forces opponents into turnovers."
Birouste comes to Milwaukee from Turramurra High School in Wahroonga, Australia, and is already enrolled at UWM as of the spring semester. He was named the team MVP in 2007 and 2008 at his high school and also earned the most-improved award in 2005. He won league championships as a junior and senior and was league runner-up as a sophomore. The multi-sport high school athlete was also a member of the rugby, swimming and cross country teams and was named Senior Sportsman of the Year. In addition, he played club soccer for the Gladesville/Ryde Football Club. "Florian will give us some international flavor," Coleman said. "He is a specialist wide midfielder with pace and skill that can help us in the attack."
Whitehead is a transfer to UWM that started out his collegiate career at Charlotte. He will be a sophomore eligibility-wise for the Panthers. He earned all-region honors three times at Fayette County High School (Ga.) and helped his team reach the state semifinals and Sweet 16 in consecutive years. The four-year starter was a two-year captain and tallied 52 goals and 40 assists in his career, earning team MVP honors once. "Ryan is an experienced, solid defender that has great athleticism and also has a good `soccer' head," Coleman said.
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