University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Mennell Announces Men's Soccer Signing Class
02.09.2016 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Entering his second year, UNC Asheville head men's soccer coach Mathes Mennell has announced his second recruiting class, which will welcome a diverse and talented group of players to Asheville.
Asheville welcomes in one transfer, who joined the program in early 2016, and eight incoming freshmen signees. The state of North Carolina is again well represented, with four of the nine newcomers hailing from within the state. In addition to North Carolina, the states of California and Colorado, and the country of Brazil represent the remaining newcomers.
“We knew last spring that this class had to have a balanced make-up. We had to replace an excellent group of seniors that left due to graduation, across all four lines of our team. We also needed to bring players that fit our system and style of play in a variety of roles. On the whole, I think that we have really put together a fun and exciting group with this class,” stated Mennell. “We made some really nice strides as a program in 2015, and this group will not only continue this positive progress but help take us to where we want to go, which is to the top of the Big South Conference.”
While last year saw Mennell and his coaching staff jumping off to a late start in recruiting, this year had a completely different feel. When asked about the process of recruiting the newest Bulldogs, Mennell stated, “The identification and approach to recruiting this 2016 class were being put together as we were finishing up the 2015 group. This group is very different, and is much more diverse than last year's. Some of the main goals were to complement our current roster of players, add some depth in midfield, and at the same time bring in young men ready to immediately excel in the classroom and on the pitch here at UNC Asheville.”
“My staff, Mick Giordano and Jeremy Jordan, have put in a countless amount of hours in helping me identify and recruit players from some non-traditional places with regards to what has been the norm here at UNC Asheville. They have been instrumental in the signing of two US Soccer Development Academy players from Colorado, continuing our pipeline from California and signing a dynamic attacking player from Brazil. And all the while, maintaining our foundation of recruiting the best and brightest from the state of North Carolina. Asheville is a special town, and UNC Asheville is a special school; Mick and Jeremy have really been fantastic in bringing in a group of players that will only add quality to our program, our school, and our town.”
Mennell continued, "I am very pleased with how the 2016 version of the Bulldogs is shaping up and the overall direction of our program. That being said, we certainly have a lot to work on in all facets. This 2016 group of players coming to UNC Asheville is a statement of our commitment to this endeavor.”
TRANSFER:
Hayden Poell – Left Back | 5'11, 165
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Previous School: UNC Pembroke
Mennell's thoughts: “Hayden has integrated himself into our group quickly. He is going to be a nice addition to our team as a left sided defender and I think that there is an excellent chance he will round himself into our starting left back sooner rather than later.”
SIGNEES:
Luiz Dantas – Forward | 5'11, 178
Hometown: Cuiaba, Brazil
High School: Rabun Gap Naccochee School (GA)
Mennell's thoughts: “Luiz is a goal scorer of the purest sense. I am really pleased about his signing with UNC Asheville and the staff and I are looking forward to seeing him with our group full time in August. He is going to be an exciting addition to our current group of forwards.”
Frank Morales Shnaider – Center Mid | 5'8, 155
Hometown: Greeley, Colorado
High School: Frontier Academy Charter School
Club: Colorado Rapids Academy
Mennell's thoughts: “Frank is a very busy midfielder who can play in a variety of midfield roles. He has a great work rate as a ball-winning player but also possesses the vision and quality to bring our forwards into the game. He is going to be a player that will be very important in our possession oriented attacking scheme.”
Kyle Adams – Left Back/Left Mid | 5'8, 155
Hometown: Rolling Hills Estates, California
High School: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
Club: California Rush 98/99
Mennell's thoughts: “I am very familiar with Kyle as I coached him as a U17 player at LA Galaxy-South Bay. He can play as a left back or as a left sided midfielder. He comes from a very good club team that is very well-coached. He has all the makings of a solid contributor to our team from Day 1.”
Trenton Klatte – Center Back/Right Back | 6'1, 165
Hometown: Redondo Beach, California
High School: Redondo Union High School
Club: Beach FC Academy
Mennell's thoughts: “I have known Trenton for about eight years and coached him at the U17 level along with Kyle Adams. He is a hard-nosed, physical defender and can play as either a right back or a center back. I think he will do very well here at UNC Asheville.”
Carter Phillips – Center Mid/Right Winger | 6'1, 165
Hometown: Holly Ridge, N.C.
High School: Dixon High School
Club: OCSA Coastal Crew
Mennell's thoughts: “Carter is a player who came to our Train Like a Bulldog Clinic and did a great job showcasing how he would fit into our group. He has had a stellar prep career and is a very versatile footballer. I am excited to see exactly where he fits into the group come August.”
Dino Dzierges – Left Winger/Forward | 5'11, 165
Hometown: Indian Trail, N.C.
High School: Porter Ridge High School
Club: FCCA Green
Mennell's thoughts: “Dino is a powerful and direct player. He possesses great physical strength and is very pacey. He will be a handful for opponents due to his penchant for vertical running in the final third. He is similar to Zach Joens in a lot of ways and this will mean great things for UNC Asheville.”
Elvis Boateng Wiredu – Forward/Midfielder | 5'8, 152
Hometown: Raleigh N.C.
High School: Broughton High School
Club: 97 CASL Red/CASL Railhawks Academy
Mennell's thoughts: “Elvis is going to be a lot of fun to coach. He has a fantastic attitude and has some really dynamic attacking qualities. To say we are excited about what he has the potential to do here is an understatement of the grandest sense.”
Dakotah Bainter – Goalkeeper | 6'2, 185
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
High School: Grandview High School
Club: Real Colorado USSDA
Mennell's thoughts: “Dakotah is going to be an excellent GK for us here at UNC Asheville. He has trained in two great environments at Real Colorado and before that with the Sporting KC Academy. I am really excited to watch him grow into our #1 role here at UNC Asheville. He will push Tyler Moore and Chris Katt for the #1 job immediately.”
