Feb. 7, 2007

MILWAUKEE - Marquette soccer head coach Louis Bennett has announced his largest recruiting class to the school. The group is 12 players deep and includes an NSCAA All-American, three Regional ODP participants, two players from Sweden and a bevy of regional and national players with strong prep and club experience.

The incoming class includes: Stefan Antonijevic (Buffalo Grove, Ill.); Danny Bauer (Cedar Rapids, Iowa); Josh Belfrage (Highlands Ranch, Colo.); Anthony Colaizzi (Gurnee, Ill.); Josh Curry (Pewaukee, Wis.); Niklas Dagervik (Uppsala, Sweden), Sam Etim (Rockford, Ill.); Adam Frydman (Uppsala, Sweden); Scott Miller (Jefferson City, Mo.); Steve Purdy (St. Charles, Ill.); Tyler Schwab (Leawood, Kan.); and Matt Stummer (Woodridge, Ill.).

"This may be one of the most talented recruiting classes from top to bottom that I have been able to put together. Credit goes to Associate Head Coach Stan Anderson in the whole recruiting process to get that many quality players to commit to one institution in one year, " Bennett said. "It's a big class. We have a lot of young, new faces. Their ability to gel with the team we already have will be important," Bennett said. "The total sophomore and freshman numbers will be most everyone. Everyone is going to talk about how young we are. I want them to talk about how exciting we are, how tenacious we are, and how tough we are to beat. As a whole group, we are going to have to mature and grow up quickly. You can't buy experience, you obtain it over time."

Stefan Antonijevic, MF, Buffalo Grove, Ill. (Stevenson)

Antonjevic played high school soccer for Mark Schartner at Stevenson High School in Lincoinshire, Ill. He was an all-state selection in 2006, an all-section selection as a junior and an all-conference selection as a freshman. He helped guide his team to conference and regional titles while in high school. Antonijevic played club soccer for John Dolinsky with the Chicago Wind. He led his team to a state cup semifinal appearance for four straight years and led the club to a pair of Midwest Regional League titles.

Bennett on Antonijevic: "He's a silky, smooth, distributor from the midfield. At 6-foot-6, everyone's going to talk about his size, but he's a soccer player first and foremost. He's a player that has had a good background. His father was a successful professional player in Serbia and in the U.S. He played for his father's club, the Chicago Wind, and was a teammate of Anthony Colaizzi. This may be ambitious, but my hope is that he will become the college version of Giberto, who plays for Arsenal, kind of a midfield sweeper, giving us stability and mobility in the midfield in front of the defense."

Antonijevic on coming to Marquette: "I chose Marquette because I felt most comfortable here than at the other schools I visited. Coach Bennett knows the game very well and I can't wait to play for him. It will be an honor."

Danny Bauer, MF, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Xavier)

Bauer guided Xavier High School to four-straight state titles playing for head coach Amir Hadzik. He was captain of his high school team and named first-team all-conference. He averaged nine goals and 14 assists each season. Playing for Homer Screws with the Cedar River Soccer Association, he helped his club team to seven state titles and two regional semifinal appearances. Bauer is a member of the Region II ODP team that will be playing in Costa Rica this February.

Bennett on Bauer: "Danny Bauer is a player that has very specific talents that will lend to playing on the left hand side of the field. Even though he has played as a left striker or central striker with his club team, he played left back for the regional team. We see him as an attacking left back. He's strong and has good tools and has big ambition. Playing for his club coach, Homer Screws, Danny has been the catalyst from bringing that program from solid to national prominence."

Bauer on coming to Marquette: "I liked everything about Marquette and the soccer fits me. I believe I will be challenged at Marquette and contribute here."

Josh Belfrage, F, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Keystone National)

Belfrage was a first team all-conference and second team all state selection as a senior at Keystone National High School. Playing for coach Theresa Etchermeyer, Belfrage led his team to the second round in the state playoffs. It was on the club level where Belfrage shined. He played for Erik Bushey with the Colorado Rush soccer club and was a four-year member of the Region IV ODP team, twice touring overseas with the ODP squad. He also was a three year member of the Colorado State team. He led the Colorado Rush to four state cup titles and a spot in the Region II finals. He was captain of his ODP team in 2006.

Bennett on Belfrage: "Coming from Region IV, Josh Belfrage gives a different dimension to the recruiting class. He may be one of the most sought after goal scorers in that region and in the nation. His ability to put the ball in the back of the net is outstanding. He's mobile, powerful, intelligent around the goal, slipping between defensive gaps, and he has the poise to put the ball in the back of the net. His ability to do that for us is going to be vital along with Sam Etim and returning players like Nick Kay to score the appropriate amount of goals to be a contender."

Belfrage on coming to Marquette: "This is the best opportunity to achieve my goals personally and as a soccer player."

Anthony Colaizzi, F, Gurnee, Ill. (Warren Township)

Anthony Colaizzi earned NSCAA All-America status after his four-year career playing for Jim McNamara at Warren Township High School. He scored 25 goals and 20 assists as a senior and was the Chicago Sun Times and Pioneer Press player of the year. He was also selected first team all-state by the Chicago Tribune and was an all-area selection by the Daily Herald. He set his school record with 70 points in his senior season, guiding the team to a 26-3 record and a spot in the state championship game. He played club soccer for John Dalinsky with the Chicago Wind with fellow incoming player Stefan Antonijevic.

Bennett on Colaizzi: "With all the accolades that Anthony Colazzi has acquired over the last four months, a lot of people are wondering what to expect. He's a true specialist. He's left footed and loves to attack from the wing. He has a knack of scoring goals. Being one of seven left footed players, we've addressed our need to have that dimension in our squad. We have several people in this class that are true characters. He's a real likable character. Coach McNamara has done a very good job with him. He had some very fine players this year but Anthony stood apart. He can create on his own and finish back post and his personality is contagious."

Colaizzi on coming to Marquette: " I wanted to stay close to home and at the same time receive a good education in a promising soccer program. The enthusiastic coaching staff was also a big reason I chose Marquette."

Josh Curry, F, Pewaukee, Wis. (Marquette)

Curry comes to Marquette University from Marquette High School where he was a part of multiple state championship teams with the Hilltoppers and helped guide MUHS to a no. 1 national ranking through the 2004 season. He was a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All-State selection as a senior. Curry played club soccer for F.C. Milwaukee and coach Rob Harrington and was part of state club championship teams from 2000 through 2006. Curry was also a state ODP team member for seven years. Curry spent last season as a member of the Wis.-Milwaukee soccer team and transferred to Marquette after the fall semester.

Bennett on Curry: "Josh Curry's experience is about new beginnings. He's the kind of guy who is wanting and needing this fresh start. He's a talented, exciting player that can create chances from either wing position. His quickness and his nose for the goal could provide quality chances and quality opportunities for our attack. He's been a winner and I believe he needs a vehicle for that. Marquette and Marquette soccer is his new vehicle to do that."

Curry on coming to Marquette: "I want to be surrounded by a great team and great coaches while playing top soccer in the BIG EAST."

Niklas Dagervik, MF, Uppsala, Sweden (Fyrisskolan)

Dagervik is an accomplished European talent who led his primary school team, Fyrisskolan, to a Swedish school championship in 2004 for 15 year olds. He was captain of that team and also competed for Gamla Uppsala Sport Klubb.

Bennett on Dagervik: "Niklas is an aggressive, mobile, interior midfield player. I don't think hungry would adequately describe his desire, not only to do well but to be at Marquette University. He was extremely persistent in the recruiting process to make sure this is where he plays his college soccer. He's played a high level of men's soccer as well as youth soccer, and I think he will bring some well needed experience and thrust to our attack from midfield. As with all our international players, his acclimation to a different culture will take time. We're hoping it's a limited amount of time in which we can see the best of him."

Dagervik on coming to Marquette: "I came to Marquette because of the chance to play in one of the top conferences in the country in the BIG EAST, because of the superior coaching staff and because of the good academic reputation of the school."

Sam Etim, F, Rockford, Ill. (Guilford)

Etim was a four-year letterwinner at Guilford High School playing for coach Hugh Ward. He was a first team all-state and all-conference selection as a senior. As a junior, he was all-section and all-conference. He led his high school to two regional championship spots and a state semifinal appearance as a sophomore. He plays club soccer for the Rockford Raptors under coach Louis Mateus. He helped guide his club team to finals in 2004 and semifinal in 2006 at the USYSA national championships, a pair of Region II regional titles and a state title. He is a four-year ODP player and participated in the 2005 ODP national championships and regional championships in 2003 and 2004.

Bennett on Etim: He's a powerful, strong, antagonistic central striker. It's great having a player like Sam because he can make an opportunity himself. He can be individualistic and he can also conform to the team structure. He's the kind of guy who wants to take the team on his shoulders and do it himself. Louis Mateus his club coach has done a wonderful job with him and with the Raptors."

Etim on coming to Marquette: "Marquette was the best school for me because it fits me and my goals. I like Coach Bennett's attacking mentality. I'm excited to win at Marquette."

Adam Frydman, D, Uppsala, Sweden (Celsiusskolan)

Frydman joins Dagervik as one of two players in the class from Uppsala, Sweden. He played club soccer for IK Sirius, the same club as current Marquette defender Tim Jallow. He helped guide IK Sirius to a national indoor title and a second place finish at the outdoor national championships. Frydman also has had experience with the Swedish national team.

Bennett on Frydman: "He is an intelligent, wiry central defender. He can not only stop people from playing and can also play with the ball from the back. His ambition and desire to further his career on the collegiate level has really impressed me in the recruiting process because it was as powerful as his already accomplished soccer career. He will be an important factor in stabilizing our defensive line."

Frydman on coming to Marquette: "After talking to coach Bennett and coach Khaled El-Ahmad, I decided on Marquette because it's soccer program is going to have a great tradition."

Scott Miller, MF, Jefferson City, Mo. (Helias)

Miller played all four seasons for coach Chuck Register at Helias High School, where he scored 62 career goals and had 26 career assists. He was a first-team all-state selection as a senior and a second-team selection as a junior. He was his region's player of the year as a senior and was a four time all-district selection. Miller played club soccer for the St. Louis Soccer Club (formerly Busch Soccer Club) and was coached by Mark Brcic. He scored 15 goals and 12 assists in two years with the St. Louis Soccer Club.

Bennett on Miller: "Miller is a true diamond in the rough. He could possibly be the best unheard of player we've ever recruited. We were fortunate to find Scott at our high school camp of 60 plus high schoolers. After further research, we realized he played for a small club team in his home town of Jefferson City until last year when he moved to play for St. Louis Soccer Club. We feel really lucky to have a guy like this who is strong, tough, left footed, can play a multitude of positions on the left side of the field or the center of midfield. He's looking forward and we're looking forward to having him back on campus. His size and athleticism will be of benefit for us. Coach Mark Brcic was spot on in his recommendation of him."

Miller on coming to Marquette: "Marquette is a great school in a great city. I really liked the entire soccer program. I was very impressed with the facilities, coaches, players and the city of Milwaukee. I think coach Bennett is a great leader who wants to develop not only great soccer players, but great people."

Steve Purdy, GK, St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles North)

The lone goalkeeper in the recruiting class, Steve Purdy played high school soccer for coach Eric Willson at St. Charles North. He was a first-team all-conference and all-section selection by the Chicago Tribune as a senior and an all-conference honorable mention selection as a junior. He played club soccer for Louis Mateus with the Rockford Raptors, helping the team to an indoor national championship. He was a two-time Illinois ODP participant and was a participant in Anderson's summer camps for goalkeepers, Camp Shutout.

Bennett on Purdy: "He's ambitious and he has that tenaciousness. I think he understands what he's getting into. The great situation for us is that we now have a true battle for the goalkeeping spot, which I think he's up for."

Anderson on Purdy: "In coming to Camp Shutout last summer, I found hiim to be a very athletic keeper. He will stop at nothing to be successful. He's driven like no other keeper I've come across. His focus is tremendous. He'll adapt well to the college game."

Purdy on coming to Marquette: "Marquette has both good engineering and soccer programs. Coach Bennett is awesome. With the right players in the right positions, we can do some damage in the BIG EAST."

Tyler Schwab, F, Leawood, Kansas (Blue Valley North)

Playing for head coach Tom Holland at Blue Valley North, Tyler Schwab was a first-team all-state, all-region, all-metro and all-county selection as a senior. He was a second team all-league and all-county selection as a junior. He helped guide his team to district titles all four seasons, regional titles three times, a fourth place state finish as a sophomore and state runner-up spots as a junior and senior. He played club soccer for KCFC Alliance under coach Paul Rideout, guiding the team to four state cup titles.

Bennett on Schwab: "Tyler is a left-footed striker at wide forward. He's a player that once he adapts to the college game, has a huge upswing. Raising to the competition level and demands I think is right up his alley. I think that he's definitely prepared to do so. The quicker he feels comfortable will be key to his level of contribution. His quickness and his ability to strike a ball with his left foot will be invaluable."

Schwab on coming to Marquette: "The mix of campus, coaching staff and players is why I am coming to Marquette. The BIG EAST isn't a bad place to play either."

Matt Stummer, MF, Woodridge, Ill. (Benet Academy)

Stummer is a four year letter winner who played for coach Henry Wind at Benet Academy. He concluded his career with an all-state selection by the Chicago Tribune in 2006 and was an all-area selection by the Naperville Sun, Chicago Daily Herald and the Chicago Sun Times. The Libertyville Suburban Newspaper and the Daily Herald named him area player of the year. A three year varsity starter, Stummer was an East Suburban Catholic Conference all-conference selection three times. Stummer played club soccer for David Richardson with the Chicago Sockers. He helped his club team to a U16 national club championship in 2006, a state semifinalist spot in 2004 and a Midwest Regional League title in 2003.

Bennett on Stummer: "He's small, feisty and energetic. He's a kid that won't accept no. I don't think there's anything he cannot do if he puts his mind to it. His club team has played him all over and we see him as an outside attacking halfback or forward. He's one of the players that showed extremely well in our high school camp. He played for the Chicago Sockers, one of the top clubs in the country, so he comes from a good club pedigree."

Stummer on coming to Marquette: "Marquette offers me the chance to be a part of a great academic school and it meets my soccer goals. A Marquette education will give me the opportunity to land a job on Wall Street or play professional soccer with my athletic experience."