Men's Soccer Announces Recruiting Class
May 26, 2015 | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's soccer program and Head Coach Jason Mims have announced the addition of seven new players to the 2015 squad.
The Mavericks had a historic season last year, finishing 2014 with a 10-5-2 overall record and a 3-2-1 Summit League mark. UNO clinched a share of the Summit League regular season title. The 2015 class will be bringing a large and diverse class to help UNO remain at the top of the conference table.
The class is highlighted by the addition of All-American forward Kevin Correa (Flushing, New York). Last season, Correa was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch list following an outstanding sophomore season at Saint Francis-Brooklyn where he was a NSCAA Third Team All-American after scoring 13 goals and adding six assists.
Joining Correa in the 2015 recruiting class are Denzel Woods (Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago), Adam Gottschalk (Omaha, Neb.), Joel Kazhila (Johannesburg, South Africa), Zac Marquess (Olathe, Kan.), Sage Moore (Norman, Okla.) and Cole Nelson (Shawnee, Kan.).
“The class of 2015 is a unique one as this will be our very first group that will be able to compete for the Post Season the minute they step foot on campus this fall,” Mims said. “Although we have lost some great seniors, I believe we have a strong team returning and we have added some experience and youth to provide much needed depth to reach our goal as repeating as Summit League Champions.”
Omaha begins the fall season with an exhibition match against PAC-12 member, Washington on Saturday, August 22 at 7:00 p.m., before hosting Kansas City in the regular season home opener on Friday August 28 at 7:30 p.m.
2015 Recruiting ClassKevin Correa
Forward | Flushing, New York | Flushing HS | Met-Oval FC | St. Francis (Brooklyn)/New Mexico
Video Highlights
Background:
Played one season as a junior for the University of New Mexico scoring three goals and dishing out one assist for seven points…played 776 minutes….was on the Herman Watch List during the 2014 season…played his first two seasons at Saint Francis (NY)….as a sophomore named an NSCAA Third Team All-American after scoring 13 goals and adding six assists ... helped lead the Terriers to an NEC title by scoring four goals in the NEC tournament to earn Tournament MVP honors ... appeared in nineteen contests while starting in sixteen games ... ranked sixth in the NCAA in Points Per Game (1.68), eighth in total points (32) and ninth in both goals per game (0.68) and total goals (13)…. Appeared in eighteen contest while starting in seven games for the 2012 as a freshman…led the Northeast Conference in nearly all statistical categories including points with 25, points per game at 1.39, goals scored with 11 and goals per game at .61.
Mims on Correa: “Kevin's experience will be tremendous for our team as he has played in three consecutive years of post season and will be the only player on our roster that has played in the NCAA Tournament. By adding a Division I All-American transfer, this shows the amazing support Trev Alberts and the rest of the athletic department staff have provided us with making Omaha Soccer one of the premier places in the entire country to play at.”
Adam Gottschalk
Forward | Omaha, Neb. | Omaha Skutt HS | Nebraska Futbol Club
Video Highlights
Background:
Earned four varsity letters at Omaha Skutt Catholic High School for head coach Justin Zabawa….helped the Skyhawks to qualify for four straight Nebraska State Soccer Tournaments…member of the 2013 and 2014 State Runner-up teams…played on the 2012 State Championship team….during his senior season scored 11 goals and 6 assists…scored the game winning goals for Skutt in the state quarterfinals and semifinals…played club soccer for the Nebraska Futbol Club under Coach Ryan Amdor.
Mims on Gottschalk: “Adam is a significant signing as he resides right here from Omaha. About half of our current team members have local ties and this will always be important to us here at UNO. We are Omaha's team and we want to continue to find the best players locally and have them develop at our university and in our program. Adam has proven he is one of the best in town to meet the high standards of Division I soccer as he has a physical toughness to him and a tremendous work rate which makes him a very competitive player.”
Joel Kazhila
Center Back | Johannesburg, South Africa | Mission Heights Prep HS | Real Salt Lake Academy
Video Highlights
Background:
Played in eight games for Real Salt Lake Academy-Arizona… RSL Academy-Arizona was the top rated U-18 boys club team in the United States by Top Drawer Soccer…was coached by former US Men' National Team and Bayern Munich assistant coach Martin Vazquez ….played for the Orlando Pirates in Parktown, South Africa prior to moving to the RSL Academy.
Mims on Kazhila: “Joel has shown a very high maturity and commitment level for traveling across the world and moving away from home at a young age to learn at one of the best soccer academy's in the United States, Real Salt Lake Academy. Joel will bring a different perspective to the game, being from South Africa, and we are excited to work with someone who has great passion for the game and has an eagerness to learn every day.”
Zac Marquess
Center Back | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe East HS | Kansas Rush Academy
Video Highlights
Background:
Earned two varsity letters at Olathe East under head coach Terry Hair….as a sophomore played for the Sporting Kansas City Academy program….was a varsity starter at Saint James Academy as a freshman… was a two-time Sunflower League Defender-of-the-Year…as a senior scored eight goals and added two assists…earned First Team All-Metro honors from the Kansas City Star in 2014…two-time Kansas 6-A First Team All-State selection…played club soccer for Kanas Rush Academy Blue 96/97 for head coach Daouda Kanté
Mims on Marquess: “Zac is a fierce competitor on and off the field. He is very impressive both academically and athletically as he is a very driven, highly motivated young man which will make him successful and make others around him better.”
Sage Moore
Midfield | Norman, Okla. | Norman North HS | Celtic FC
Video Highlights
Background:
Played for Norman North High School under Head Coach Geo Claros…earned 1st Team All-State honors as a senior for Norman North in 2015….scored eight goals and nine assists as a senior…played on three straight Oklahoma Class 6-A state championship teams
Mims on Moore: “We were able to see Sage at our ID Camp and he worked very hard and showed very well. He can play on the wing or up top and plays for a school with a great soccer tradition in Norman, Okla. We look forward to continuing his development here in Omaha.”
Cole Nelson
Midfield | Shawnee, Kan. | Shawnee Mission Northwest HS | Kansas Rush Academy
Video Highlights
Background:
Earned four varsity letters at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School under head coach Todd Boren….served as team captain for two seasons…was a three-time all-conference selection…twice tabbed as a Kansas All-State honoree…played club soccer for the Kansas Rush Academy for head coach Daouda Kanté...won four straight Kansas State Cup Championships (2010-13)…served as Kansas Rush team captain.
Mims on Nelson: “Cole is a very versatile player that can play a number of different positions. Cole has a great range of passing and plays both sides of the ball very well.”
Denzel Woods
Center Back/Center Mid | Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago | St. Anthony's College
Video Highlights
Background:
Played at Saint Anthony's College in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago under head coach Nigel Groversnor…named Most Valuable Defender for Saint Anthony's College in 2014…scored two goals and had one assist in 2014…member of St. Anthony's SSFL Premier League Runner-up team in 2014…played on the 2012 North Zone and National Intercol Championship teams.
Mims on Woods: “Denzel is a 6'3 long, athletic central defender/midfielder from Trinidad that could help us immediately in the back. He will cover a ton of ground on our huge FIFA 2 star field and will be a very valuable part of our team this fall.”
