8 May 2002
CONTACT: Head coach Dave Barrett, 309.556.3343
IWU Gains Six for Men's Soccer
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Six high school soccer standouts have announced they will Illinois Wesleyan University to continue their academic and athletic careers, IWU soccer coach Dave Barrett announced today.
Among the recruits are George Aliaga and Drew Brady, both of Glenview (Glenbrook South HS); Deric Armstrong of Chatham (Chatham Glenwood HS); Todd Cruickshank of Park Forest (Rich East HS); Jake Muehlbauer of Matteson (Rich Central HS); and Ryan Smith of Decatur (Eisenhower HS).
IWU head coach Barrett's comments on these members of his recruiting class:
r George Aliaga (Glenview, Glenbrook South High School)
George is smart and skillful player who will be a factor in the midfield equation for the Titans in the fall. He has playing experience with the Chicago Wind soccer club, as well as having traveled to Bolivia to participate in the renown Tahuichi Soccer Academy.r Deric Armstrong (Chatham, Chatham-Glenwood High School)
Deric comes to IWU with very high soccer credentials. During his senior year, he was named All-State after scoring 14 goals and adding 9 assists. Deric is a very quick and skillful player who will make an immediate impact on the team in the fall. "Deric is one of the players we are most excited about," says Coach Barrett. "He is a very smart and skillful player who hopefully will be our midfield playmaker in the fall."r Drew Brady (Glenview, Glenbrook South High School)
Drew will bring some good soccer experience with him to IWU after starting as a defender for Glenbrook South during his junior and senior years. A mature and savvy player, Drew plays his club soccer for the Chicago Wind and will provide some depth to the Titan backfield.r Todd Cruikshank (Park Forest, Rich East High School)
Todd is a very talented athlete who has a great deal of raw soccer potential. His addition to the team will bring speed and soccer experience to the team. Todd is also a sprinter on the track team and plays on the same club soccer team (Rich Township Kings) as fellow Titan newcomer Jake Muehlbauer. Their team recently finished second in the National Indoor Championships in Philadelphia, Pa.r Jake Muehlbauer (Matteson, Rich Central High School)
Jake was Rich Central's "Most Valuable Player" in both his junior and senior seasons. A very good athlete and tough defender, he was also chosen as an all-conference player in 2000 and 2001. Jake will likely compete for time in midfield during his freshman year.r Ryan Smith (Decatur, Eisenhower High School)
Ryan was an All-Sectional Honorable Mention pick during 2001. He has experience playing both in the field as a defensive midfielder and in goal. He is a good athlete who will add some quality depth to the Titan roster.The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team returns 16 lettermen from a 5-11-2 squad in 2001…Dave Barrett will begin his second season as IWU's head coach for both the men's and women's team. About Illinois Wesleyan University Soccer
Illinois Wesleyan University, founded in 1850, enrolls about 2,000 students in a College of Liberal Arts, and individual schools of Music, Theatre Arts, Art, and Nursing. In the last decade, the University has seen approximately $120 million in new construction, including the $26 million Ames Library and the $6 million renovation of Memorial Gym to become the Hansen Student Center, both opened in January 2002. About Illinois Wesleyan University
Also added since 1994 have been the Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation, the Center for Natural Sciences, Harriett Fuller Rust House (residence hall), the Center for Liberal Arts, Jack Horenberger Baseball Field and the Nies Soccer Field.