Head Coach Jay Sothoron has announced his first recruiting class at Wheeling Jesuit University. This group of 16 talented student-athletes from around the country will begin their play in September 2009. The class consists of two goalies, five defensemen, six midfielders, and three attack men.

"After losing two starting defenders, we knew that we had to replenish our defensive unit. Our incoming defensemen are all very athletic with great size. I am extremely happy in the caliber of players whom we have recruited to fill holes, not only in the defense but at our goalie position, midfield, and attack as well." Sothoron said.

Student-athletes joining the Cardinal lacrosse program in the fall are as follows:

Attack

Nick Tatro - A/M - 5'11 - 180lbs - Walsh Jesuit High School/Suffield, OH
Nick was a captain and D2 1st team all region player at Walsh Jesuit high school in Ohio. This left-handed midfielder comes to Wheeling with a natural ability and knowledge of the game that can make him very dangerous in the years to come. He is a very strong dodger and is a threat to score when he has the ball in his stick. Nick will push for a significant role next year at either midfield or attack.

Greg Kaplan - Attack - 5'6 - 185lbs - Bethel Park High School/ Pittsburgh, PA
Greg joins fellow Bethel Park teammates Symsek, Zigmond and Henk at Wheeling Jesuit. He is a deceivingly shifty player who has a great nose for the goal and finished his senior year with 35 points, helping Bethel Park to a 12-6 record. With an experienced attack in front of him, he will need to make the best of his opportunities.

Zach Klein - Attack - 6'0 - 165lbs - First Love Christian Academy/Washington, PA
Zach finished his senior year strong with 49 goals and 14 assists, giving him 1st team WVSLA honors. He has a great sense for the game and a nose to the goal, which will prove to be most beneficial for him in the college arena. Zach has a great stick with good athleticism, which should put in good position to better his game this fall and possibly find the field in the spring.

Midfield

Andrew Moretz-FO/M-5'11- 190lbs-St. Mary's Ryken/Chesapeake Beach, MD
Andrew is a transfer from Roanoke College. Moretz played high school lacrosse at St. Mary's Ryken High School. During his senior year SMR finished ranked 17-2 with Ryken capturing the WCAC championship defeating Dematha high School. Andrew was an All Conference WCAC winning 78% of his face offs. Andrew has the ability to control a game with his face off ability. He will push for time immediately bringing depth to the face off X.

Ricky Rano - Midfield - 5'11 - 185lbs - Westerville South H.S./Westerville, OH
Ricky was a two sport athlete playing football and lacrosse for Westerville South High School. Ricky was a member of the Midwest Adidas classic all star team. He has incredible speed and dangerous first step, which gives him the ability to beat his man and create offense whenever he has the ball. He will be looked upon to be an offensive threat for the Cardinals immediately. Ricky has the potential to be a top D2 middie early in his career.

Josh Lambert - Midfield - 5'11 – 175 - Hilliard Davidson High School/Hilliard, OH
Josh will be joining high school teammate LJ Wilson at WJU. Josh helped Hilliard Davidson to a 12-8 record in '09. He is a seasoned face-off man who will be a strong offensive threat next season. Josh finished his senior season as team groundball leader, adding 21 points, and winning 68% of his face-offs. Josh was also named D1 2nd team all region and 2nd team all OCC in Ohio. Lambert could be difference maker early in his career, filling the holes left by the graduated midfielders.

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2009-08-03