Boys DMV College Soccer Commitments (02/10-02/17)
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Each week, PrepSoccer reporter Sean Maslin takes a look at some of the top college soccer commitments from across the Washington D.C. Metro region. Have a college commitment to announce? Email him at semaslin05@gmail.com Francisco Hidalgo POS F CLASS 2023…
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Continue ReadingEach week, PrepSoccer reporter Sean Maslin takes a look at some of the top college soccer commitments from across the Washington D.C. Metro region. Have a college commitment to announce? Email him at semaslin05@gmail.com
Francisco Hidalgo
Francisco Hidalgo
Hidalgo has committed to playing college soccer next fall at Bucknell University. After grappling with injuries over the last two seasons, Hidalgo had a superb 2022 for both his high school side Blair and with his club team Potomac Soccer Association. With Blair, he led the team to the Maryland State Semifinals, scoring six goals during the playoffs. Meanwhile, with Potomac he has led their 2005 side to the top of the US Youth Soccer National League table and has given them an excellent shot at making the National Championships.
Thissell has committed to playing college soccer next season at the University of Virginia. A five tool athlete, Thissell joined Bethesda Academy after a superb career with the Virginia Development Academy where he was a United Soccer Coaches All-American in 2021 and 2022 and scored 21 goals in ECNL play last season. As an attacking midfielder, he is excellent at both picking out attacking targets on the wings or making the dangerous run at defenders. He also has a real knack for hitting strong shots from distance. The Cavaliers like to build possessions from the middle of the pitch so Thissell should fit in nicely down in Charlottesville.
Dubon has committed to playing next season at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC). In the midfield Dubon typically plays either as a CAM or CM, but he can also move out to left wing. At both Armour and his previous club D.C. United Academy, he has shown that he can build attacking chances from the middle of the pitch but also play back enough to help limit an opponent’s counter-attacking chances. Off of the ball, his runs are timed perfectly and he can deliver shots in open space with just the right amount of speed and pace. It is going to be an interesting 2023 season for the Retrievers with longtime coach Pete Caringi retiring. Adding a player of Dubon’s caliber will undoubtedly help in whatever rebuilding process comes.
Tony Lombardi
Tony Lombardi
Lombardi has committed to playing college soccer next season at Lipscomb University. The captain of a Tuscarora side that dominated Maryland 4A State High School soccer this season, Lombardi is one of the top 2023 defenders in Maryland. On the pitch, he is excellent at reading attackers and making sound judgments both in terms of tackles and runs off of the ball. He always seems to make the right play at the right time. He can also lead possession from the back, delivering timely passes out to the wings or long crosses to attackers. Off of the pitch, he is a leader and can always be seen talking to his teammates about plays and what to do in certain situations.
Ryan Skandalis
Ryan Skandalis
Skandalis has committed to playing college soccer next season at United States Naval Academy. The John Carroll High School midfielder led the Patriots to the MIAA Finals thanks to his excellent work in the midfield. As a passer, he can make the long diagonal cross to the outside to wingers to help open up defenses. His passes typically have just the right amount of pace to them. As a scorer, he is lethal form both short and long distances and always seems to come up with a goal at the perfect time, as evidenced by his brace against Calvert Hall in the regular season. He scored 15 goals and tallied 18 assists last season and will look to do the same for both Pipeline this spring and the Midshipmen this fall.
Zack Byas
Zack Byas
Byas has committed to playing college soccer next season at Stevenson University. He is a right-footed midfielder that likes to build possession from the outside and use an excellent first touch to blow past defenders. As an attacker, he makes solid runs off of the ball and always seems to be 1-2 steps ahead of defenders. Stevenson plays a very up-tempo style of offense so Byas should fit in perfectly in their gameplan.
Jacob Ryczko
Jacob Ryczko
Ryczko has committed to playing college soccer next season at Randolph Macon College. The Strikers goalkeeper has excellent technique and has shown a tremendous amount of poise under pressure. He never really takes a bad angle at a save and can be seen constantly talking to his backline on small adjustments that they can make to limit shots on target.
Uttenreither has committed to playing college soccer next season at Roanoke College. A co-captain at Mount St. Joseph’s for his senior season, Uttenreither was the linchpin of the Gaels, leading the side in a tough MIAA Conference. He plays both in the defense and in the midfield and seems very comfortable at controlling the pace of the match from the back. His passing and ability to find teammates in the tightest of spaces make him an invaluable asset on the counter-attack.
Jeremy Abrams
Jeremy Abrams
Abrams has committed to playing college soccer next season at the United States Air Force Academy. Alongside Uttenreicher, Abrams served as co-captain for the Gaels and was named to the MIAA All-First Team and the HM All-State Team. A very technically sound defender, Abrams very rarely makes a mistake and always seems willing to make the track back on defense to stop the counter-attack. He has shown remarkable calmness under pressure making key clears for both the Mount and for his club side Pipeline.