The University of Dayton mens soccer team had a very successful offseason as Head Coach Dave Schureck recently announced their 2001 recruiting classes. With the Flyers coming off an Atlantic-10 Regular Season Title in 2000, the UD mens soccer program continue to raise the bar and establish itself as the marquee soccer power in the Atlantic-10. Looking at whom they’ve signed, it doesn’t look as though the Flyers will fall back in the pack any time soon.

Coach Schureck looked locally as well as outside the tri-state for his three newcomers, and all of them are potential impact players as soon as they arrive.

Chris Rolfe (Fairmont HS, Kettering, OH) is the closest recruit geographically to sign a National Letter of Intent with Dayton and was

considered the best prospect in the Dayton area all of last season. Rolfe is a prolific goal scorer who guided the Firebirds to a league title in the Western Ohio League – one of the toughest soccer leagues in the state of Ohio. During Fairmont’s run to the 2000 District Title, the Firebirds went 1-0-1 against state power and league rival Centerville, including a thorough 2-0 victory in the playoffs. It was Fairmont’s first-ever win over the Elks, an Elk program that’s been nationally-ranked four of the past six seasons.

For his efforts last year, Rolfe was named WOL Player of the Year, made Ohio D-I First Team All-State, and was named to the NSCAA All-Midwest Team. The 5-8 forward chose UD over several schools including perennial Top-25 contender Akron among others. Dayton is always looking for certifiable local talent such as Chris Rolfe that can help improve the program each and every year, but as Coach Schureck explains, there must be a balance between local flavor and pure soccer ability.

“I think from a fan base interest, local fans want to see people from the area. I believe it is very important to recruit the local kids, but at the same time we will only recruit the local player that wants to be here and that will contribute to this team. It will do us no good, if we bring in a local talent that really doesn’t deserve to be here.” Nabbing Rolfe accomplishes both of these goals and his addition should provide a welcomed offensive punch for next season.

Tye Stebbins (Zionsville HS, Zionsville IN) received high honors in the state of Indiana throughout his career and holds several school records including career goals (73), and goals in a season (28). Stebbins was named to the All-Conference and All-Metro Indianapolis teams all four seasons, and earned Indiana Second Team All-State as a junior and First Team All-State as a senior. The 5-7 midfielder was also named to the Indianapolis Star Super Team from 1998-2000. Stebbins plays club ball for the Indiana Inferno ’83 squad that is among the most talented in the state.

“Tye has a soccer brain,” says Schureck. “He sees the field early which enables him to keep possession. Because of his vision he is also a very good goal scorer. You should see him battle in the midfield or as a forward.” For more information on Tye Stebbins, read his interview/bio with UDPride published earlier this season by clicking here.

The final signee in the 2001 class is from outside the Midwest, but familiar territory for Head Coach Dave Schureck and the Flyers. Jesse Faily (Putnam North HS, Oklahoma City, OK) becomes the fourth player from the state of Oklahoma to put his name on the current UD roster, joining Michael Nsien, Sunday Isename, and Christian Porto – the latter three from Tulsa, OK. And once again, the Flyers found a good one.

Faily has tallied 36 goals and 33 assists through his first three seasons, but has yet to complete his senior season as soccer in the state of Oklahoma is a spring sport. Nevertheless, he’s been named All-Metro, First Team All District, and Second Team All-City in each of his three seasons. As a junior, he was named All-Metro Conference Player of the Year and named All-American by the National High School Coaches Association. Faily has been a member of the ODP State Team for the last six seasons and plays for the Oklahoma City Royals club program.

Coach Schureck gives much of his recruiting success in Oklahoma to UD Assistant Coach Tama Aondofar, a former player at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. Aondofar was the girls head coach at Tulsa’s Bishop Kelly HS where he won a Class 4-A state title in 1999. He’s also served as the head coach of the USISL’s Tulsa Roughnecks and an assistant coach at ORU before coming to Dayton.

“No doubt, Tama has been a huge part of recruiting [success] in Oklahoma,” says Coach Schureck. “He was instrumental when I was an assistant and we were recruiting Mike Nsien. Once Mike became a Flyer, the word kind of got out in Tulsa and the surrounding area about Dayton. When Tama came aboard, his reputation in Oklahoma is terrific, so the top players started writing us.”

It hasn’t taken long for the UD mens team to develop a national flavor across the entire roster. Aside from Oklahoma, players from New Mexico, Minnesota, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, and Puerto Rico dot the roster alongside Ohio players. The four departing seniors from last year’s team hailed from Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Indiana. UDPride asked Coach Schureck if the regional diversity brings different soccer styles to his team.

“I think so,” he answers. “Much has to do with the weather. We have to play a lot of indoor soccer in the winter, but down south it is high school season right now. The amount of ethnic influence is also significant. I think to have a mix from different areas and backgrounds is the way to go. It brings different soccer experiences together and makes the team better.”

With the departure of All-American forward R.J. Kaszuba, the Flyers signed three offensive players and look to patch the hole left behind by the venerable blue-collar star. Dayton cannot overlook Patrick Wirtz’s gritty contributions either. It’s no accident why the UD coaching staff went after more firepower in the offseason.

“Losing RJ, we definitely need someone to help Sunday [Isename] for next season,” Schureck explains. “We have Suzuki, Morales, and Hall (redshirt) returning, but to make them better you always need competition. By also playing three forwards, you need the depth. I usually recruit by position, but there are times when I will get [sign] the best players.”

Along with returning veterans Wade Fischer, Eric Nelson, Lee Crawford, and others, the Flyers will be expected to challenge for yet another A-10 title. This year’s recruiting crop should fit in well and help Dayton maintain its soccer excellence. Coach Schureck believes all three are impact players in their first season, and is hopeful for a couple more additions between now and the first game of the year.