May 29, 2013 - Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham men's soccer coach Jim McElderry announced the addition of five players for 2013 today, as forward Jonathan Agostino (Mississauga, Ontario/St. Joseph Secondary School), forward Blake Bohlen (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Earl L. Vandermeulen), defender Andrew Hickey (Kilkenny, Ireland/Montverde Academy (Fla.)), midfielder/forward Terence Hughes (Ridgefield, Conn./South Kent), and goalkeeper Alex Naples (East Patchogue, N.Y./St. Anthony's (St. John's)) will suit up at Rose Hill next season.
"This year, we identified specific needs for our program after losing three quality members of our team to graduation. All of these players have strong personalities, competitive attitudes and talent. I expect them all to contribute this year," said McElderry.
Agostino, a 6-0 forward from Mississauga, Ontario, is one of two international additions this season. He played high school soccer for two seasons at St. Joseph Secondary School, where he netted 41 goals and helped his team to two division titles and three tournament championships.
He started his club soccer career with Sigma FC Academy in Toronto from 2009-10, leading the team with 33 goals in 24 games, and contributing to the team winning the SAAC League Cup Championship, the Sahlen Tournament Championship in Buffalo, and the Potomac Memorial Championship in Maryland. Then from 2010-12, Agostino joined Vicenza Calcio U17, a member of Serie B in Vicenza, Italy, which played regularly against the top youth teams in Italy, which included Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, AS Roma, Genoa, Chievo Verona and Udinese.
Most recently, Agostino has been a part of DeAnza Force U18 since 2012, which is a part of the USSDA in San Jose, California. He became a starter during the 2012 season, notching four goals to help the team finish in the top three in the Northwest Division and qualify for the USSDA playoffs. In the classroom, Agostino won the Healthy Active Living Award twice and was an honor roll student.
McElderry on Jonathan Agostino - "Jon is a forward who has an excellent work rate and has the ability to put himself in good spots to score goals. He played most recently with top clubs in the DeAnza Force in California and Sigma in Canada. I expect Jon to adjust to the college game quickly. "
Bohlen, a 6-3 forward from Port Jefferson, N.Y., was the 2012 Suffolk County Player of the Year at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, leading all of Long Island with 33 goals. A two-year captain and League MVP, he guided the team to consecutive Class C State Championships and was a three-time All-State and All-County performer. He also was named to Newsday's All-Long Island team in 2012 as he wrapped his career as Port Jefferson's all-time scoring leader with 73 goals and 27 assists.
For club, Bohlen has played for the Lake Grove United (2008-12), Albertson Academy (2012), and the Northport Cowharbor United (2013). As a member of Lake Grove United, he was a member of the U.S. Club Soccer National Champions, while at Albertson, he helped the squad to the playoffs in 2012. Most recently with Northport Cowharbor, Bohlen was a part of the Manhattan and Brentwood Showcase Championship teams and was a State Cup semifinalist.
In the classroom, Bohlen is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award.
McElderry on Blake Bohlen - "Blake is a big, strong, competitive, left-footed forward. He led his high school team to a state championship in 2012 and his Albertson Academy team to the playoffs in 2012. I think his game will translate well to our style of play. "
Hickey, a 5-11 defender from Kilkenny, Ireland, is the second of Fordham's international additions for this upcoming season. He spent two years at CBS Kilkenny in Ireland before attending Montverde Academy in Florida for his final two seasons of high school. He played varsity soccer in both seasons at Montverde at left back, helping the squad to an undefeated record and a #1 ranking in the U.S. by three different high school soccer polls. Individually, Hickey was ranked #78 in the ESPN Rise recruiting class for 2013 and was selected to the All-Tournament team at both the Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament and the Berkley Prep Tournament.
Prior to his play at Montverde, Hickey was the starting left back for the Kilkenny U18 team, which won the U18 National Championship. He was also selected to be a part of Ireland's Emerging Talents Program for three seasons, while taking part in the Irish U16 National team trials and team camp.
In the classroom, Hickey was selected as a senior prefect for the class of 2013 at Montverde Academy and was a two-year honor roll student. He was also recognized for good citizenship in his two years at Montverde.
McElderry on Andrew Hickey - "Andy will fit in immediately here at Fordham. He has great experience from his days in Ireland and more recently achieving national championship success at Monteverde Academy under coach Mike Potempa. I look forward to his winning mentality on our team."
Hughes is a 5-11 attacking midfielder/forward from Ridgefield, Connecticut, who split his high school career between Ridgefield High School (2009-11) and South Kent School (2011-13). He played four years of varsity soccer between the two schools and served as team captain at South Kent. For club soccer, Hughes played for South Central Premier.
McElderry on Terence Hughes - "Terence is a tough, versatile player. At South Kent, under coach Owen Finberg, he played multiple positions on a very successful program. I expect Terence to compete up front or in the midfield."
Naples, a 6-1 goalkeeper from East Patchogue, N.Y., spent the past four seasons as a member of the St. John's University men's soccer program, and will use his final year of eligibility as a graduate student at Fordham. His biggest success on the pitch at St. John's came in 2011, as he helped the Red Storm to their ninth BIG EAST Championship and earned a spot on the All-Tournament team after posting three shutouts in four games with wins over nationally-ranked Connecticut and West Virginia.
Prior to St. John's, Naples was an All-State standout at St. Anthony's High School, posting a 0.47 GAA as a senior and helping the Friars to a #2 ranking by ESPN Rise, as well as to the NSCHSAA State Championship. In club action, he currently plays for F.A. Euro PDL of the USL, but previously had stints with the Long Island Rough Riders (2010-12) and the Met Oval Academy (2003-09).
Naples graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. John's with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance, earning Dean's List standing all eight semesters and was selected to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team every season with the Red Storm. A member of five honor societies at St. John's, he was also inducted in the SJU President's Society for his combination of scholarship, integrity, maturity, and leadership skills. It is the highest honor bestowed on a student at St. John's.
McElderry on Alex Naples - "Alex will be using his final year of eligibility at Fordham, while beginning his MBA. He comes from a top level program in St. John's, where he helped the team win the conference championship as the starting goalkeeper. Alex will bring great desire and experience to our program."
