BURLINGTON, Vt. – The University of Vermont men's soccer team, the defending America East Champions, will add 10 newcomers to the program for the 2016 season. Head coach Jesse Cormier made the announcement today.
 
"Coaches Rob Dow and Brian Mitko deserve a lot of credit for putting a very good class to compliment our returning team. I have a great staff and we feel this has the potential to be an exciting year with the squad we have returning joining this talented group of newcomers," said Cormier. "We are also looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of our fantastic fans at an improved Virtue Field with the construction of a grandstand underway."
 
RELATED LINKS
2016 Schedule
2015 Highlight Video

Among the 10 newcomers joining the Catamounts are local product Lucas Shaw of South Burlington, a trio of players from Iceland and three transfers.
 
NEWEST CATAMOUNTS
Jon Arnar Barõdal – Midfield - 6-0/170 – Gardabaer, Iceland/Fjolbrautarskolinn Gardabae
"Jon is a clever player with the ability to provide us with an attacking vision. We are excited to have him join us and I think we will see him make a difference," said Cormier.
 
Greg Ginsburg – Defender – 6-0/175 – Chappaqua, New York/Horace Greeley High School
"Greg did a nice job at our ID Camp. His competitive qualities, ability to connect vertical passes going forward and lockdown mentality will serve him well in his four years at Vermont," stated Comier.
 
Scored 10 goals and added 12 assists as a senior … Helped Horace Greeley advance to the sectional finals in 2013 and earned all-league honors … Was named to the All-Hudson Valley First Team, All-Journal News Second Team, all-league and all-section teams as a senior … Also earned a spot on the All-Metro Honorable Mention squad in 2015.
 
Mikel Kabala – Midfield – 5-9/160 - Kinshasha, DR of Congo/Manchester (N.H.) Central High School/Providence
"We've known Mikel for many years as a New England Revs youth kid, and he has many gifts as a central midfield presence.  He has power and strength as is luxury in possession because we feel he can help us build the ball from deep lying positions," commented Cormier.
 
Is a transfer from Providence … Started nine of 11 games and helped the Friars post six shutouts … Attended Saint Stephen's Episcopal for one year and Manchester Central High School for three years … During the 2010-11 season, was a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy … Named to the U.S. Under -17 Men's National Team for the Four Nations Tournament in Argentina in 2012
 
David Price – Goalkeeper – 6-0/180 – Boston, Massachusetts/Beaver County Day School/High Point Univ.
"David, a transfer from High Point University, is a technician who is driven like no other. His will to improve in training, and be as prepared as he can be to play is exciting.  He will be a nice addition to our goalkeeper corps," said Cormier.
 
Is a transfer from High Point University where he started five games in net in 2015 … Earned all-league honors while playing for Needham High School in 2010, becoming the first freshmen in a decade to earn the honor … Led the Eastern Independent League in goals against average … Graduated from Beaver County Day School ...  Chosen to play with the UC U-17 team in the Maccabi Pan American Games in Sao Paolo, Brazil in 2011 … Named captain of the team and helped guide it to a silver medal … Played two years of varsity soccer at Beaver County Day.
 
Hakeem Rabiu – Forward – 5-11/176 – Niskayuna, New York/Shattuck Saint Mary's (Minn.)
"Hakeem is an attacking guy with huge potential.  He has a long gait, a clever first touch and with his character is a great fit with the squad," stated Cormier.
 
Billy Risigo – Defender – 6-0/175 – Kennebunkport, Maine/Cheverus High School/Providence
"A transfer from Providence, Billy is a physical defender who has versatility and carries a lot of pride.  He will add some grit and challenge for time immediately," said Cormier.
 
Aron Runarsson – Goalkeeper – 6-4/172 – Akureyri, Iceland/Lundarskóli
"Aron is a prototypical goalkeeper, with size, strength, and a wealth of experience. We feel he will be another great addition to the goalkeeper group and help us in many ways," stated Cormier.
 
Lucas Shaw – Defender – 5-9/165 – South Burlington, Vermont/South Burlington High School
"I've known Lucas as a local kid and always enjoyed watching him play. He is always enthusiastic about playing and competing.  He has good versatility and is a competitive kid that will be a great fit with the culture of the squad," said Cormier.
 
Arnar Steinn Hansson – Defender – 6-2/183 – Garðabær, Iceland/Reykjavik
"Arnar is a very good student-athlete. His maturity and character is obvious and will be a welcome addition to our backline. With losing a couple key seniors graduating from our defense, it will be important for Arnar to be ready to step in and help," commented Cormier.
 
Christopher Watts – Froward – 5-11/160 – New Milford, Connecticut/South Kent School
"Chris is a talented attacking player. He has great character and is a young leader who fits the values of our program. He is a hard worker and was a key player and personality on a championship team last year," said Cormier.
 
Earned All-State and WNEPPSA All-Star honors … Was a team captain and MVP … Won two New England Championships and one National Championship.
 
2015 IN REVIEW
Vermont won its fifth America East Championship in program history and second under head coach Jesse Cormier last season. The Catamounts advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in program history and faced Boston College in the first round. UVM finished the year with an 11-7-3 mark.
 
Brian Wright was named the Most Outstanding Player of the America East Championship Game. He also earned America East All-Conference First Team honors and earned a spot on the NSCAA Division I Men's All-East Region First Team for the second straight season. Wright was also named to the All-ECAC squad.
 
Teammates Stefan Lamanna and Jackson Dayton were also lauded by the league. Lamanna earned a spot on the all-conference second team in his first year at Vermont, while Dayton was named to the all-academic squad. Dayton was named to the all-tournament team and was selected as the winner of the America East Elite 18 Award as the student-athlete competing in the championship game with the highest GPA.

VIRTUE FIELD ADDITIONS
Construction is currently under way at Virtue Field as a 2,500-seat grandstand is being added to the facility. The new addition is scheduled to be in place for the start of the 2016 season.
 
2016 SCHEDULE
UVM opens the 2016 season on August 26 hosting Cal State Fullerton at Virtue Field. The Catamounts will play an 18-game schedule, including nine home games. Vermont will face 11 non-conference opponents and teams from eight different leagues. Vermont will also play four teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season.