University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Men’s soccer adds five transfers to 2022 class
01.06.2022 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville Men's soccer team announced the first additions of its 2022 recruiting class with the introduction of five transfers on Thursday: Heath Flathau, Griffin Stidham, Dylan Thompson, Aidan Whitlock, Michael Wilkerson.
"Our staff is beyond excited to welcome these five student-athletes to UNC Asheville," said head coach Mick Giordano. "We have no doubt they are exactly what we are looking for in regards to footballers, students, and character to represent our program with the highest standard. Each one will have an immediate impact both on and off the field."
Heath Flathau – Defender/Midfielder - UAB
Flathau joins the Bulldogs after two seasons at the University of Alabama Birmingham in which he played in 21 games for the Blazers. Starting nine of the 21 games, Flathau was named to the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and was awarded the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal. Prior to his time at UAB, Flathau attended Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, helping lead the school to two South State Championships and one State Championship title. Flathau was a three-time all-district and all-area selection and earned Pine Belt Sports Player of the Year and Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a senior. This past summer, Flathau competed for Southern States SC in the NPSL, helping the club reach the national semifinal.
"We are extremely excited to add someone of Heath's ability and mentality to our group," Giordano said. "Heath has been successful every team he has played for which we expect to continue at UNC Asheville. He brings experience and a winning mentality which both will help our group continue to move forward. With his ability to play as an outside back and center mid, we expect Heath to have an immediate impact."
Griffin Stidham – Defender – UNC Wilmington
The brother of current Bulldog Grant Stidham, Griffin comes to Asheville from UNC Wilmington, where he was a redshirt freshman. A native of Cary, North Carolina, Stidham is a 6-foot-2 defender who was named to the Colonial Athletic Association Academic Honor Roll in 2020 and 2021. Prior to Wilmington, Griffin played for the NCFC Academy and was a three-year letter winner at Panther Creek High School. Stidham was also a member of the Tri-6 All-Conference and All-Academic Teams. This past summer, Stidham started seven games for Tobacco Road FC in the USL League Two.
"Griffin is a player we have known for a long time with having his older brother, Grant, already a part of our program," said Giordano. "Griffin comes from a fantastic family and will bring a higher standard of competitiveness to our program right away. He is a strong and athletic footballer that will be able to help provide stability immediately to our team."
Dylan Thompson – Defender – San Diego
Crossing the pond – a native of Liverpool, United Kingdom - and now crossing the country, Thompson comes to Asheville after a year at San Diego where he started six of nine games played this past fall, scoring a goal against San Francisco. Thompson grew up playing for the Academy of Everton FC, where he was named Player of the Year twice. Thompson played in every game for Everton in the Northern Premier League, helping the club to a third-place finish.
"Our staff is extremely happy to have this opportunity to work with Dylan and welcome to our program," Giordano said. "He comes from a fantastic pedigree and will make an immediate impact on our group on and off the field. Having played in one of the best youth Academies in the UK growing up, we know that his character, mentality and football IQ will rub off on everyone around him. He is a no-nonsense Center Half and has a bright career ahead as our staff looks forward to what he will bring to our group."
Aidan Whitlock – Midfielder – Stetson
Whitlock joins the Bulldog family after a year at Stetson, earning Atlantic Sun Honor Roll Status as a member of the Dean's List. Before Stetson, Whitlock competed for the North Carolina FC club team, helping his team win the State Cup in 2014 and being a key member of the U19 and U17 playoff teams. The Raleigh, North Carolina native competed for Tobacco Road FC of USL League Two in the summer of 2021 while starting 11 games for them.
"We are delighted to welcome Aidan back to North Carolina and to our program this Spring," said Giordano. "He is a fantastic Midfielder that really can open the game up tremendously with his passing range and high football IQ. Aidan has been in a fantastic environment at NCFC and Stetson, which now we expect him to bring those standards to our program immediately."
Michael Wilkerson – Midfielder – San Diego
An Asheville native, Wilkerson also comes to the Bulldogs from the University of San Diego where he saw action in nine games in 2020-21, scoring his first collegiate goal against Gonzaga. A product of Asheville High School, Wilkerson was named All-Region and All-Conference in the WMAC, competing for Highland FC before playing his junior and senior seasons with the Atlanta United FC Academy. In the summers of 2018 and 2021, Wilkerson played locally for Asheville City SC.
"Mikey is another player we have known for a long time. He is one of the most highly-touted youth players to come out of Western North Carolina in the last 5 years," Giordano said. "He brings an unmatched work rate and mentality to find success. His ability to play wide or centrally allows him to really make an immediate impact within our program. We are beyond happy to welcome Mikey back to WNC and have him a part of our program."
