July 19, 2010

Second year men’s soccer head coach Bryan Scales has reloaded his arsenal of talented soccer players to hit the field this fall. In addition to his veteran corps, he welcomes eight incoming freshmen to the squad and looks for them to make an immediate impact.

Christopher Maierle (Wantagh, N.Y.) hails from Friends Academy where he was a three-time All-Conference selection and member of the N.Y. State Championship team and conference championship team. He played for the Hicksville Strikers and was on the ENY ODP team from 2007-09. At Friends Academy, he was the founder of the SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Club and was part of the Athletes for a Better Community. Maierle is the son of Betty and Walter Maierle of Wantagh, N.Y.

“Chris is a talented young goalkeeper and is quick, has very good technical ability and an outstanding work ethic,” Scales said. “He’ll have a great experience this summer when he travels to Chelsea FC in August.”

Maierle was selected as a US Select Team representative at Chelsea Football Club Academy after he was selected to the 2010 Disney Showcase All-Star Team.

From Leominster, Mass. Adilson Lima, Jr. is a strong midfielder that played four years of varsity soccer at Leominster High School. He was a two-year captain and twice named a league all-star. He was honored as an All-Conference and All-State selection as a senior and was recognized as his team’s MVP. He played for the Inter Soccer Club and is the son of Esmeralda and Adilson Lima, Sr.

“Adilson is a quick, technical, left-footed midfielder,” Scales said. “He can also play up top as a forward and has the ability to get out of tight spaces. He connects on his passes and can get dangerous serves into the box. I think that ‘Junior’ will be a dangerous attacking player for us over the next four years.”

Also at midfield, Kyle Garvan (Braintree, Mass.) looks to showcase his talents north of his hometown. He played four years of varsity soccer at Braintree High School and served as team captain. He was honored as a Bay State League All-Star and played for the FC Blazers club team out of Boston. He was a member of the 2009 State Cup Championship team, as well. Garvan was a four-year honor roll student at BHS and is the son of Sheila and P.J. Garvan.

“Kyle is a strong, competitive central midfielder. He has good vision, reads the game well and is good in the air,” Scales said. “We expect him to compete for playing time right away as a freshman and be an important player throughout his career here at UMass Lowell.”

A semi-local product, Eric DeSantis (Woburn, Mass.) is a flexible player who will see time at the midfield and as a back. He was a three-year varsity starter at Woburn High School and two-time All-League selection. He was an Eastern Mass. All-State honoree and served as team captain at WHS. DeSantis was tabbed as a “Player to Watch” by ESPN Rise and also played for the Inter Club Soccer team out of Boston. He is the son of Christine and John DeSantis.

“We’ve seen Eric a number of times and feel that his best soccer is still in front of him,” Scales said. “He can play quickly, has good feet and is a very competitive kid. He will help us in the midfield or as an outside back as he moves through what should be a terrific college career.”

Coming off a successful career at Catholic Memorial High School, Connor Askins (Boston, Mass.) will join the impressive class of 2014. A four-year starter for the Knights, Askins also served as a two-year captain of the squad. He was tabbed as both All-Conference and All-State and twice named Team MVP. He helped Catholic Memorial to its first State Championship in 2009 and was named MVP of the tournament.

“Connor is an excellent goalkeeper whom I first knew about through the US U-15 Boys National Teamp program. He has played in US Soccer’s Development Academy and is one of the top goalkeepers coming out of high school this season,” Scales said. “I expect both Connor and [Maierle] to compete every day for the starting position. The addition of both these student-athletes bodes well for the future of River Hawk soccer.”

Askins played for the Inter Bandits SC out of Boston and the FC Greater Boston where he won four state championships and a regional title, as well. He was a two-year Academy Team player for US Soccer and was a U15 National Pool Player, as well. He is the son of Karen Rokosz and Carl Askins.

Ross Marchand (North Andover, Mass.) was a four-year starter at North Andover High School and three-time Cape Ann League All-Star. He was an All-Eastern Mass. and All-Conference selection, as well as Team MVP and Rookie of the Year. He led NAHS to its first Cape Ann League title since 2001.

“Ross was one of our first signings during this cycle and is a tough, confident, hard-nosed defender who will fit in very well here at UMass Lowell,” Scales said. “He reads the game well and is very comfortable playing in a number of spots at the back of the team. He should compete for playing time as a freshman.”

Marchand also captained the Inter SC club team out of Boston and was an honor roll student at NAHS. He is the son of Laurian and Jacques Marchand.

Eric Galafassi (Nashua, N.H.) comes to UMass Lowell a successful career at Nashua North High School and with the World Cup Soccer club team out of Nashua. He played four years of varsity soccer at NNHS and was a Second Team All-Conference. A true leader, he captained both his varsity and club teams and was named MVP of his high school team as a junior and senior. With World Cup, he was a member of three consecutive State Champion teams. He is one of three children of Maria and Jose Galafassi of Nashua.

“Eric is a dangerous, dynamic forward who is very good on the ball and athletic enough to get behind defenders,” Scales said. “He’ll add some much-needed depth to our pool of forwards and I expect him to get some significant minutes as a freshman if he continues to progress.”

The final piece of the class of 2014 puzzle comes by way of Chris Reuter (Framingham, Mass.). The adaptable player was an All-State selection at Framingham High School and also played club ball for FC Stars for former UMass Lowell Assistant Coach Marc Connolly. He was a 2009 State Champion with the FC Stars and is the son of David and Cheryl Reuter of Framingham.

“Chris is good on the ball, competitive and can read the game very well,” Scales said. “He can play in a number of positions and I expect him to be an important player for us this season. We look forward to having him join us.”

The River Hawks will kick off their season on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y. before playing their home-opener against Franklin Pierce on Cushing Field, Sept. 14.