Bucknell Men's Soccer Announces Strong Recruiting Class

Eight Talented Players to Join Bison Squad in the Fall

March 5, 2007

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Buoyed by a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last fall, Bucknell head men's soccer coach Brendan Nash inked a talented eight-player recruiting class, which he announced Monday. The Class of 2011 features student-athletes from eight different states, including Pennsylvania and Maryland, two traditionally strong recruiting areas for the Bison. Seven of the recruits earned all-state honors in soccer, while another copped all-state accolades as a football kicker.

"This is the best class we have put together since I have been at Bucknell, including my time as an assistant," commented Nash, who will enter his ninth season as head coach of the Bison, and his 11th affiliated with the program, next fall. "With us losing only one senior to graduation this class will have time to develop, although I would not be surprised if some of these student-athletes see significant playing time next fall. Each one has a very impressive resume, but we were most impressed with how they fit into the program during their official visits.

"The eight student-athletes hail from eight different states, which shows we are making progress in some areas that have traditionally posed some recruiting challenges. To follow up our first Patriot League Championship with an excellent recruiting class shows the program is heading in the right direction. To combine this class with the completion of our beautiful soccer facility makes us excited to start preparing for the 2007 campaign."

Following is an alphabetical list of the eight Bucknell men's soccer recruits that comprise the Class of 2011:

Name Position Hometown/High School
Eric Ferson M Amherst, N.H./Souhegan
Scott Greenburg D Seattle, Wash./Lakeside Upper School
Aaron Kolko F Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon
Ross Liberati M Warwick, Md./Tower Hill
Tommy McCabe D Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney
Stephen McGill M Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin
Travis Rand M Westbrook, Maine/Westbrook
Dimitrios Telonis GK Manlius, N.Y./Manlius Pebble Hill

Class of 2011 Bios:
Eric Ferson (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan) - Midfielder ... two-year captain of high school team ... MVP of high school squad ... two-time First Team All-State in New Hampshire ... member of New Hampshire Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2002-06 ... Region I Pool participant in 2002-03 ... plays club soccer for state champion and regional finalists Seacoast United.

Nash on Ferson: "Eric is definitely what we call a `Bucknell-type player.' He never stops working and can play many different positions in many different formations."

Scott Greenburg (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside Upper School) - Center Defender ... captain of high school squad ... named All-State in Washington ... member of Washington ODP team ... plays club soccer for state champion and regional finalist Emerald City FC M88 Green.

Nash on Greenburg: "Scott is going to continue our tradition of strong central defenders. At 6'5" he is dominant in the air and a very strong tackler. Once he learns how we want our center backs to play he will have a big impact on our defense."

Aaron Kolko (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) - Forward ... twice named All-State in Pennsylvania ... selected as a Regional All-America alternate ... member of Pennsylvania West ODP team ... plays club soccer for Beadling SC.

Nash on Kolko: "Aaron will fit in nicely with our team up front. He already works hard defensively as a forward, which is important in our system. However, his strengths are his one-on-one ability and his nose for the goal. Once he develops chemistry with our current forwards he will be a strong player in the Patriot League."

Ross Liberati (Warwick, Md./Tower Hill) - Center Midfielder ... three-time First Team All-State selection in Delaware ... finalist for state Player of the Year honor ... named a Regional All-American ... member of Delaware ODP team from 2002-05 ... member of Region I Pool in 2002 ... plays club soccer for Pennsylvania Classics.

Nash on Liberati: "Ross has a strong presence on the field no matter what position he plays. A 6'3" he could play either center back or center mid. Ross has proven to be a winner for every team he has played for through club ball, ODP and high school."

Tommy McCabe (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney) - Left Defender ... team captain of high school squad ... versatile athlete who was named First Team All-State in football as a kicker ... member of Florida ODP team from 2003-06 ... plays club soccer for IMG Academy.

Nash on McCabe: "Tommy is a natural left-footed defender, which was our top recruiting need this year. He came through our summer camp and we felt he would fit in perfectly on our left side."

Stephen McGill (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) - Midfielder ... two-time First Team All-State selection in Ohio ... named Regional All-American as a junior ... repeated as Regional All-American as a senior ... earned Ohio Player of the Year and NSCAA All-America accolades as a senior ... member of Ohio-South ODP team from 2003-06 ... member of Region II Pool in 2004-05 ... plays club soccer for TC United.

Nash on McGill: "Stephen has all the tools to flourish in our program. He is a tireless worker, very skillful and extremely competitive."

Travis Rand (Westbrook, Maine/Westbrook) - Outside Midfielder ... two-time First Team All-State selection ... finalist for Mine Player of the Year as a junior and senior ... named to NSCAA Regional All-America Team ... helped club team to six consecutive state championships ... member of Maine ODP team from 2002-06 ... member of Region I Pool in 2003 and 2006.

Nash on Rand: "Travis showed us quite a bit during our summer camp. Both his soccer ability and his personality were things we are always looking to add to our program."

Dimitrios Telonis (Manlius, N.Y./Manlius Pebble Hill) - Goalkeeper ... two-time First Team All-State in New York ... named a Regional All-American ... broke national record for career shutouts with 79 ... awarded NSCAA All-America plaudits ... played for New York West ODP team from 2002-06 ... played club soccer with Syracuse FC Cobras.

Nash on Telonis: "Dimitri had an outstanding high school career. The goalkeeper position has always been the most important position in our program and he will have a strong chance to keep that tradition going."