Men's Soccer Announces Newcomers
Interim head coach David Kelly begins his first season at the helm of the Blue Devils program in 2020.
Central Connecticut men's soccer and interim head coach David Kelly have announced the newcomers to the program for the 2020 season. The incoming group includes 14 student-athletes and brings depth across the field for the Blue Devils.
Here is a closer look at the newest Blue Devils (listed alphabetically):
Barom Balliu | M/D | Junior | Queens, NY
Before CCSU: 2018 All Freshman Team, Mountain East Conference... Played for BW Gotschee.
Kelly on Balliu: "Barom is a player with equal parts technique and toughness. He won accolades in his freshman year, and it's clear why. Barom will add steel to the middle of the park, and compete right away for minutes."
Matthew Bulic | D | Junior | Fair Lawn, NJ
Before CCSU: Transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas College...First team All-Division for two years... Captain senior year... Two-time state sectional semifinals... Played in NPSL Eastern Final with World Class...Played in USSDA for World Class.
Kelly on Bulic: "Matt has great size for a defender, and has the technique to be able play comfortably out of the back. He's going to be a solid addition to the squad."
Zane Brown | M | Freshman | Middle Island, NY
Before CCSU: Captain at St. John the Baptist High School... Four-year starter... Two-time All-State... Two-time All-League... CHSSA League MVP... Two-time Offensive MVP... All-Long Island 1st team... Newsday Top 100 selection... Played with Levittown Gunners, two-time State Cup winners... Played with New York Red Bulls.
Kelly on Brown: "Zane is an athletic, pacey and skillful winger. He can play anywhere along the front line. He's had a great youth career, and he has all of the potential to have an equally great college career."
Ivan Farias | D | Freshman | Los Angeles, CA
Before CCSU: High school MVP at Lina Marquez High School HPIAM... Three-time leage champion... Two-time high school Defensive Player of the Year... High school MVP... Two-time captain... Rookie of the Year... Two-time National Cup champion with Boca Juniors LA.
Kelly on Farias: "Ivan comes from a very successful team in LA, and has the attributes of a winner. He is a tenacious defender who can lock down his side, but he has the technique and pace to get forward and join the attack. He will look to make an immediate impact."
Kyle Halehale | M | Freshman | Guam
Before CCSU: Three-time All Island High School First Team Midfielder (2017-19)... All Island honors (2016)... IIAAG High School Champions 2017... Led team in goals and assist (2018-19)... Two-time Marianas Cup MVP for Guam (2018-19)...Six caps for Guam National Team... Captain of Guam U16 and U19 National Teams... Played for Spokane Shadow SC in NPSL and San Jose City FC of the PDL.
Kelly on Halehale: "Kyle has had great experience, and is a current international footballer. He has captained Guam's U17's, and made six appearances for the senior team. He is a refined and very technical player. He will compete for time in center of the park for the Blue Devils."
Petter Kobberstad | D | Freshman | Moss, Norway
Before CCSU: Played at Sprint-Jeløy SK of the Swedish 3rd Division...Gothia Cup Third Place at 16 years old... Captain for the U19 squad at 17 years old... Player of the year 2016... Won the championship with the 99s and 98s... Man of the match in the Final in 2014 at Norway's biggest winter youth tournement...Senior team player at 17... Played for the Ostfold regions team.
Kelly on Kobberstad: "Petter is an outstanding prospect who will compete for playing time in the heart of the Blue Devil defense. He has pace, reads the game, wins his battles, and has excellent technique to help us play safely out of the back. Petter has had great first –team experience with his club in Norway."
Rida Kori | M | Junior | Burlington, VT
Before CCSU: Transfer from Castleton State... Four-time letterwinner at Burlington HS... VSCA All State selection... 1st team All-Metro, Burlington, VT... Played for Synergy FC... Two-time USYSA VT State Champions and Region 1 participants.
Kelly on Kori: "Rida is a very clever and skillful 1 v. 1 player. He is great at taking players on, and has the pace to get behind the opponent's defense. Rida will look to contribute to the team immediately."
Tomas Lazicki | GK | Freshman | Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Before CCSU: Played for Match Fit... Attended two ID2 camps... Plays for PDA of the USSDA and was the U17 captain.
Kelly on Lazicki: "Tomas has had a great education in the Academy. He has solid technique, he's explosive, and great with his feet. He has all of the tools to become a D1 starting goalkeeper."
Jimmy Maznicki | M/F | Freshman | Ellington, CT
Before CCSU: Two-year captain at Ellington High School... Three-time All-Conference NCCC... Two-time All-State... All-New England... Scored over 50 goals in high school... Captain of CT Celtic.
Kelly on Maznicki: "Jimmy is the complete student-athlete; he's a good player with size, he's athletic, and he is an outstanding student. His qualities will allow him to compete for minutes right away. He had a great high school career under Roy Gurnon, and we're confident that he'll have a great college career"
Luke Monaghan | D | Freshman | Warrington, UK
Before CCSU: Has experience at Salford City, Bury FC, Preston North End and Tranmere Rovers.
Kelly on Monaghan: "Luke will step right into an important role for the Blue Devils. He has played at a very high level in England, and has all of the attributes of a quality D1 center back. He has size, speed, and excellent technique with the ball."
Bailey Monteiro | GK | Freshman | Belchertown, MA
Before CCSU: Captain at Trinity-Pawling Prep... Played for the Western Mass Pioneers of the USL 2 in 2019-20... Has played for the Boston Bolts and NE Revolution of the USSDA, and was a captain... Participated in three National Training Centers... Played for Black Rock (2017-19) and trained with Benfica in the summer of 2017.
Kelly on Monteiro: "Bailey has had great experience in his club and high school career. He's played at the top level, against some great opponents. He has all of the tools to develop into a big-time D1 goalkeeper."
Johnny Morell | M/F | Freshman | New Britain, CT
Before CCSU: Four-year varsity starter at New Britain High School... Three-varsity captain... Had 15 goals and 16 assists as a senior... Two-time First Team All-CCC... Two-time First Team All-Herald selection... Two-time All-Academic selection... Played with Foundation Soccer Club (2010-18) and Central Connecticut Soccer Alliance (2018-20).
Kelly on Morell: "Johnny is a technical, and talented player. He has the athleticism and the size to compete for playing time right away. He has the versatility and talent to play anywhere in the midfield."
Yaw Nimo-Agyare | Freshman | East Hartford, CT
Before CCSU: Captain of East Hartford High School... All-Conference as a senior... Played for CFC Sportsworld... CT HS Senior Bowl Selection.
Kelly on Agyare: "Yaw was a stalwart in a great high school team for Mike Venditti. He has good size and technique and he'll add depth to the backline."
Kacper Skonieczny | M | Freshman | North Haven, CT
Before CCSU: Played for Oackwood SC and Beachside of the USSDA.
Kelly on Skonieczny: "Kacper has all of the tools to develop into a quality D1 player. He's had a great education at both Oakwood and Beachside. He is athletic, pacey, and he has the technique to contribute to any one of the front three attacking positions. He will be a great addition to the team."