June 8, 2010

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham men's soccer head coach Jim McElderry announced the newest additions to the 2010 squad today, as five players will join the Rams at Rose Hill. The list includes midfielder Nathaniel Bekoe (Accra, Ghana/Hotchkiss School (Conn.)), midfielder/defender Jack Bouchard (Gansevoort, N.Y./South Glens Falls), midfielder/defender Casper Gimand (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlowe), midfielder/defender Kevin Howard (Bethany, Conn./Amity Regional), and defender/midfielder Michael Stalker (Wall, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep).

"I am excited about this incoming class," said McElderry. "We did not want to bring in a lot of numbers, but put an emphasis on bringing in a handful of athletic prospects. The members of this group are all very competitive and have the athleticism to compete at the Division I level. They will all fit in very well here at Fordham both on the field, in the classroom and in the community."

Nathaniel Bekoe is one of five incoming Fordham men's soccer players for Fordham.

Bekoe, a 5-9 native of Ghana, has spent the last two seasons playing for the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, seeing most of his action as a center midfielder. A 2009 team captain, he helped Hotchkiss to a pair of New England Championships (2008-09). Individually, Bekoe earned All-State honors in 2009 and received the Founders All-League award and All-Star status in 2008.

Bekoe played club soccer for Birkshire United (2009) and Boston Blazers F.C. (2008), helping Boston to the 2008 State Cup Finals. In addition to soccer, Bekoe also competed for the Hotchkiss track & field team, where he was team captain and a member of the 2009 New England Championship.

McElderry on Bekoe - "Nat is originally from Ghana, but has spent the past two years playing for Chris Downs at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, leading them to multiple championships. Nat is a very athletic central midfielder, and has all of the qualities to make an immediate impact on our program."

Jack Bouchard

A 6-0 native of Gansevoort, N.Y., Bouchard has the versatility to play in the midfield or on defense. A four-year varsity soccer player at South Glens Falls High School, he was named the Section 2 Class A Player of the Year, Foothills Council Player of the Year, and Post-Star Player of the Year in 2009, while also garnering team MVP and Times Union "Big School" First Team accolades.

Playing for the Black Watch Griffins for club soccer, Bouchard helped the Griffins to the New York State Semifinals, the Potomac Memorial Championship, and Disney's Showcase Finals in 2009. The team was also a Super Y League finalist from 2006-09.

Away from the pitch, Bouchard is a member of the National, Business, and Spanish Honor Societies and the Varsity Club.

McElderry on Bouchard - "Jack is a player with a lot of potential. He has good size and athletic ability. Playing under Steve Freeman at Blackwatch Premier, Jack has shown the ability to play multiple positions. He has an excellent work ethic."

Casper Gimand

Gimand, a 6-0 midfielder/defender, was a four-year starter on the Fairfield Ludlowe varsity soccer team, serving as team captain in 2009. He was the team's leading scorer with 28 goals, earning him All-State and Connecticut Post All-Star honors, as well as an invitation to the 2009 Senior Bowl. A two-time All-FCIAC selection in 2008 and 2009, he has been a part of the Connecticut ODP team from U13 to U17.

Competing for Beachside SC for club soccer, Gimand is a two-time State Champion (2008-09) and a Regional semifinalist in 2009. In 2008, he aided Beachside to three tournament championships at the Score the Shore Tournament in North Carolina, the JBS Challenge, and the MSSL Showcase.

Academically, Gimand is a three-year member of the honor roll at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

McElderry on Gimand - "Casper was born and spent most of his youth in Denmark. He has a real passion for the game, and comes from a top level club in Beachside SC in Connecticut under the direction of Mickey Kydes and coach Owen Finberg. Casper is very competitive and will be an asset for us in the midfield or at the back."

Kevin Howard

Howard, a 5-10 midfielder/defender, had an outstanding four-year career at Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, Connecticut. He was the Greater New Haven Soccer Officials Association Player of the Year as a senior, and earned All-New England honors. He established school records for goals (12) and points in a single season, and was named All-State, Connecticut Post All-Star, and All-Area twice each, and All-Conference and team MVP three times.

For club play, Howard plays for South Central Premier, which won the 2005 Connecticut State Championship and was a participant at the U.S. Developmental Academy since 2008.

Academically, Howard is a member of the honor roll at Amity Regional High School and received Citizenship honors from the school.

McElderry on Howard - "We had a chance to see Kevin up close at our elite soccer camp last summer. Kevin is left footed and very athletic. He plays for the South Central soccer club in the US Soccer Academy under Brian Quinn. Kevin can play as a left back or a left sided midfielder. He also possesses the ability to score goals."

Michael Stalker

Stalker, a 5-9 defender/midfielder, was a three-year starter at St. Benedict's Prep, serving as team captain as a senior. He helped St. Benedict's to three State Prep "A" Championships from 2007-09, with the last title in 2009, setting the NSCAA National Record for 21 consecutive state championships. His 2008 team was a highly-ranked team, as the group was #7 in the U.S., according to ESPNRise, and #24 by the NSCAA.

A First Team Prep All-State selection as a senior, Stalker also plays club for Match Fit Chelsea Academy, which qualified for the Academy playoffs for two straight seasons.

Away from the pitch, Stalker is a member of the National Honor Society and the high honor roll. He has received the Essex County Scholar-Athlete Award as an individual, while earning the team Scholar-Athlete Award as a part of St. Benedict's soccer team.

McElderry on Stalker - "Mike is a tough, strong and hardworking type player. He has a quality soccer background. He attended the highly respected St. Benedict's Prep School in New Jersey and played under coach Rick Jacobs. He also is a member of the Match Fit Soccer Club in the US Soccer Academy under Brian Woods. Mike will compete for playing time as an outside back or wide midfielder."

The Fordham men's soccer team will open their 2010 campaign on Friday, September 1st at home against Adelphi University.