WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Kendall Walkes heads into his 19th season at West Chester with one of his most exciting recruiting classes in the last decade.
Walkes released that class this week, and the expectations surrounding the Golden Rams immediately soared. The class includes five top defenders, four midfield/forwards and a goalkeeper, who will add depth to an already stocked position.
The Rams placed fourth in the PSAC regular-season standings last fall, advanced to the PSAC semifinals and finished with an 11-10 overall record. Walkes immediately went about replacing the five seniors lost to graduation in the hopes of improving on that record in 2008.
Five defenders are expected to come in and make an immediate impact on West Chester’s quest for a PSAC crown. That list includes John Benkoski, Christopher Burke, Tyler Patrizio, Alex Graham and Jabari DeCoutea.
That fivesome will help soften the blow of losing the defensive anchors in Josh Harris, first team All-PSAC sweeper, and Ben Gotwald, second team All-PSAC stopper. Patrizio was a member of the nationally ranked FC Delco club team while DeCoutea participated for McLean FC as well. All five defenders bring a plethora of experience and talent to the Golden Rams roster.
West Chester’s offense ranked second in the conference a year ago, scoring 49 goals in 21 games. Replacing two second team all-leaguers is a trio of strikers, who will add to an already explosive offense. These freshmen will, hopefully, complement a very strong returning nucleus up front that should keep the Rams’ offense near the top of the PSAC.
Alex Tobias exhibits good size and aggressiveness while Alex Mendoza is a very skilled player. Nick Cappa and Ryan Nelson are the other two very talented forward/midfielders in the group. Along with the returning array of attackers that the Rams’ possess, these players are looking to make their mark on the 2008 season, just as Ricky Williamson and Zac Tassone did one year ago.
Goalkeeper Dakota Palmer joins a very deep and talented group of keepers in the Golden Rams’ stable. He possesses good hands and a good physical presence, which caught the eye of the Golden Rams’ coaching staff.
The men’s soccer team kicks off its 2008 campaign hosting a tournament at West Chester University. The Golden Rams welcome Mercy College, American International College and Lincoln University to campus on Aug. 30 and Aug. 31.
2008 Men’s Soccer Recruiting Class
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School
John Benkoski D 6-1 185 Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Coughlin
Christopher Burke D 6-3 185 Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair
Nick Cappa M/F 5-11 160 Reading, Pa./Exeter
Jabari DeCoutea D 6-0 160 Bowie, Md./St. Marks Academy
Alex Graham D 6-0 160 Strasburg, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg
Alex Mendoza M/F 5-10 140 New Cumberland, Pa./Redland
Ryan Nelson M/D 5-11 180 Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon
Dakota Palmer GK 6-3 180 Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg
Tyler Patrizio D 5-11 170 Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West
Alex Tobias M/F 6-0 170 Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury
