May 28, 2009

Garden City, N.Y. -

The Adelphi University men's soccer program and head coach Carlo Acquista have announced their 2009 recruiting class of 14 student-athletes from three different countries, including France and Canada to help the Panthers defend their 2008 Atlantic Soccer Conference Championship. Adelphi finished with a record of 12-6 overall and captured the ASC regular season title, while reaching the ASC tournament finals.

Chris Vinberg (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), Taylor Gregory (Massapequa, N.Y.), Mark Sperandeo (Massapequa, N.Y.), Travis Tennie(Massapequa, N.Y.), Brandon Rollocks(Ottawa, Canada), Dominick Parelli (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Henderson Hewes (Gulfport, MS), Issa Tall (Mulhouse, France), Brandon Stoneham (Kanata, Canada), James Diana (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), Philip Bucheimer (Frederick, MD), Quintel Gates (Bay Shore, N.Y.), Steven Rivera (Bay Shore, N.Y.) and Sam Vanaria (Tinely Park, IL) have all committed to attend Adelphi University in the fall of 2009.

"We are very excited with this year's class. It was very important that we added much needed depth and versatility to our team," Coach Acquista stated. "We are playing an extremely competitive schedule in the fall, so we are looking for players to step up and make a difference immediately. "

Domenick Parelli - Xaverian High School - Has been playing for the Met Oval Development Academy since 2007 and also played on the Olympic Development under-15 Region I team. He was an All-New York City selection in 2009 and captain of his high school team as a junior and senior.

"Domenick is a playmaker, who is very technical and will contribute in our midfield," Acquista said.

Travis Tennie - Massapequa High School - A member of the Massapequa Terminators-United club team where he won a Region I North Championship in 2009, the NERP Championship in 2008 and a appear in the Disney Cup final in 2006. In addition Tennie appeared in the Jefferson Cup final in 2008 and the State Cup final in 2004 and 2006, while capturing a Nassau County Championship in 2007 and 2008. He also appeared in the Long Island Championship game in 2007 and 2008 and was all-conference as a junior.

"Travis is a quality defender from a high level program and has captured numerous club and high school championships," Acquista explained. "He will provide us with added depth and versatility in the back."

James Diana - Massapequa High School - Captured a Northeast Regional championship with the Massapequa Terminators, while winning four Nassau County Championships at Massapequa High School. He also earned all-conference and all-county honors while in high school and was a MVP of the Nassau County Championship game.

Acquista said James is a quick, tough and mobile forward and will compete immediately.

Brandon Stoneham - Sacred Heart High School - Played for the Ottawa South United, capturing two league scoring titles and earning second in the Ontario power rankings. Stoneham was also a two time team MVP and captain and appeared in the 2007 Sports Source showcase and the 2007 Disney Cup.

"Brandon is a strong, physical and athletic forward, who can hold the ball up and link up with other players as well," Acquista commented.

Chris Vinberg - Massapequa High School - Captured two Nassau County Championships while at Massapequa High School and a New York State under-16 championship as a member of the Massapequa Aces. Vinberg also appeared in the Jefferson Cup, Disney Showcase, the Super Y League final and the ENYYSA State Cup semifinal. Vinberg is also a tireless workhorse on the field with very good speed.

Mark Sperandeo- St. John The Baptist - A two-time Long Island Catholic High School All-Academic team selection, Sperandeo was also a member of the Massapequa Terminators. He was a Jefferson Cup finalist, a North East Regional Premier Champion, and a New York state finalist in 2004 and 2006.

Brandon Rollocks- St. Joseph Catholic High School - A member of Ottawa South United, Rollocks placed second at the 2008 Disney Soccer showcase. He also captured two league championships and a provincial championship in 2004.

"At 6-0, Brandon is an athletic defender who can step on the field and contribute, he is a very good passer out of the back and will provide depth and speed to our backline," Acquista said.

Sam Vanaria - Carl Sandburg High School - A four-year letterwinner and an all-conference and all-sectional selection at Carl Sandburg High School. In addition, Vanaria was a member of the Chicago Fire Juniors, capturing an under-19 championship. He also trained with Spain Deportivo Ala Ves of La Liga.

"Sam possesses tremendous speed and will add a different dimension in the attacking third," Acquista explained.

Steve Rivera - Bay Shore High School - A three-year member of the varsity soccer team, he captured back-to-back league championships. Rivera was also a member of the BW Gottschee Academy and the New York Rough Riders Super "Y" League team and was a member of the LIJSL ODP select team in 2008. Steven is a quick, dynamic, versatile player, who will contribute in various roles this fall.

Philip Bucheimer - Middletown High School - A 2008 MVAP Piedmont all-conference and All-Gazette selection, Bucheimer also captured a conference championship as senior. In addition Bucheimer has led five leagues and tournaments in scoring and was also a MSI March Madness champion and Columbia Invitational champion in 2007. Bucheimer is also a very Athletic forward with good technique.

Issa Tall -

"Tall can play midfield or forward, is athletic and speedy and is technically sound. He will make an immediate impact," Acquista stated.

Quintel Gates - Bay Shore High School - Earned all-state honors in 2005 and all-academic honors that same year, while capturing the 2006 CHSCAA league title. Gates also won back-to-back league championships while at Bay Shore, earning all-league honors senior year and appearing in the exceptional senior game. He also played club soccer for Blau-Weiss Gottschee, placing second in the Northeastern Conference and leading the league in goals.

"Quintel is an athletic attacking forward with the ability to take players on one-v- one," Acquista explained.

Henderson Hewes - Saint Stanislaus College - Earned first-team all-state honors after scoring 35 goals senior year. Hewes was also a four year varsity starter, while earning MVP honors. In addition he was a three-time state champion with his club team and captured the Southern Region Premiere league title.

"Henderson is an athletic player, who can run the left flank, which will give us added depth on that side of the field," Acquista commented.

Taylor Gregory -Massapequa High School - Participated in four years of varsity soccer while at Massapequa, capturing Nassau County championship in both 2007 and 2008 and appearing in the Long Island Championship game both years as well.

"A 6-2 athlete with good reflexes, Taylor will provide another quality option at an already strong position," Acquista said.