HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College head men’s soccer coach Paul Leese is pleased to announce that nine student-athletes have signed to play soccer for the Cobras starting in the fall of 2010.

These nine players come to Coker from across the country, including four from South Carolina, three from Florida, one from New York and one from North Carolina.

“I am very excited to announce the incoming class of 2010,” said Leese. “We have quality in every position but more importantly I believe each player has the character and commitment that we demand of our student-athletes at Coker.  These players have been successful in the classroom as well as on the soccer field and I am confident they will bring further success to the college and to the men’s soccer team.” 

Coach Leese and the Cobras had a historic year in 2009 that included winning the programs first ever Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship; receiving their first ever national ranking (#21 in the nation); receiving the highest regional ranking ever (#3 in Southeast Region); earning the most wins in a season (12); and earning their first ever conference tournament victories (2-1 over nationally ranked #13 Anderson and 1-0 over nationally ranked #1 Lees-McRae). With the addition of these new players, the Cobras are looking for even more history making years in the future.

Chris Dixon is a native of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and a sophomore transfer student from Coastal Carolina University. Dixon was a four-year starter and two-time captain for Myrtle Beach High School. A two-time All-Region and Sun News “Toast of the Coast” selection, Dixon played club ball for Bridge Futbol Academy and was a National Honor Society and Beta Club member.

Seth Stowers joins the Cobras from Greenville, S.C., where he was a four year standout player for Wren High School. Stowers was a member of the 2009 Region Championship team and was a four-time letter winner at Wren.

Michael Rice is another product of the Myrtle Beach, S.C. area, a four-time letter winner from St. James High School. Rice was a three-time captain and a Second Team All-Region selection, as well as a Junior Marshall. An exceptional student off the field, Rice is ranked in the Top 10 of his class.

Tyler Staub also comes from the Grand Strand area of South Carolina. A native of Murrells Inlet, S.C., Staub was a standout player from Waccamaw High School. A National Honor Society member, Staub was the team GPA Award winner, as well as being named team MVP. He has scored 52 goals with 28 assists in his first three years of high school soccer.

Jason Getreu is a native of Odessa, Fla. where he attends Tampa Catholic. A four-time letter winner in soccer, Getreu recorded five goals and 14 assists as a center defender in the 2009-10 season. Another gifted student off the field, Jason is a member of the National Honor Society and an Honor Roll student.

Brendon McCarron comes to Coker from Tampa, Fla., where he is a standout player and teammate of Getreu’s at Tampa Catholic. McCarron is a four-time letter winner, as well as being named Team Captain, Defender of the Year and Iron Man Award winner at Tampa Catholic. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, National English Honor Society and Rho Kappa Honor Society.

Stephen Scrivens is another native of Tampa, Fla., where he is a four-time letter winner in soccer, cross country and track at C. Leon King High School. Scrivens is a member of the National Honor Society and was an All-Conference selection and team captain for the soccer team.

Damien Vuotto will join the Cobras from Staten Island, N.Y., where he is a three-time captain at Tottenville High School. Vuotto was a recipient of the Staten Island Coaches’ Award, was named to the New York Post All-Staten Island Borough Soccer Team, is a New York Daily News First Team All-City selection and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Atticus Lum is from Advance, N.C., where he was a three-time soccer and two-time basketball letter winner for Bishop McGuinness. Lum was an All-State, All-Region, All-County and All-Conference selection. He is a scholar athlete and is a member of the National Honor Society.

When asked about this incoming group of fresh faces to the Cobra squad, Coach Leese said, “Every single player shares my ambition to elevate the Coker men’s soccer program to the national level.  We had a number of freshmen earn significant playing time last season and I expect members of this class to do the same.  I am pleased that each of them has chosen to join our program and I’m keen to start working with them this fall. ”

The Coker men will play four spring games, all against Division I opponents, to prepare for the fall season, which will begin during the first week of September 2010.