Covenant College men's soccer team graduated seven seniors, but head coach Nathan Pifer has been hard at work lining up their replacements.
Here is 2011's new wave of recruits:
Danny Knight – An All-County defender from Atlanta, Georgia, Knight played for state champion Greater Atlanta Christian High School and served as captain of his team. He also served as captain for the past four years with the NSA Fury Gold Classic club team.
Gordon Carpenter – An All-Star from Greenville, South Carolina, Carpenter has played as an attacking winger for six-time state champion Carolina Elite Premier Soccer Club. He also plays an attacking roll at state powerhouse Southside Christian, where he regularly helps the team reach the state playoffs.
Connor Castillo – An MVP defender from San Juan Capistrano Christian High School in California, Castillo is a multi-sport athlete who was also the MVP of the cross country team and received All-Academic awards as well. Castillo was the first soccer player in the history of his high school to be nominated for the Heisman Award of California, and he plays for a top level club in Capo FC, which has made it to the finals in 2009 and 2010 and won the championship in 2009.
Zachary Bennett – A striker from Woodhaven High School in Brownstown, Mississippi, Barnett was named Player of the Year in 2010 and made first team All-Conference as team captain in his junior and senior years. Bennett also played with the Nike Rush Soccer Club of Michigan.
Seth Woody – An All-State defender from Byron, Georgia, Woody captained Central Fellowship Christian Academy and was named Defender of the Year for 2010. He also played with the Macon Hearts Soccer Club.
Hunter Harrison – A three-time, All-State central defender from Southside Christian High School in Greenville, South Carolina, Harrison captained Southside for four years. He also played for six time state champion club team Carolina Elite SA, which was ranked as high as third place in the nation in 2008. Harrison is the younger brother of former Covenant Scot, Collins Harrison, who graduated in 2005.
David Taaffe – Taaffe is an All-District center midfielder from Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. The Lions have been a strong force at the state level over the past two years, and Taaffe has played a large part in their success.
Ian Meredith – A striker from Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, Africa, Ian has played multiple styles of international soccer and has been a constant creator and scorer of goals for RVA.
David Huertas – A wing midfielder from Keystone Preparatory High School in Tampa, Florida, Huertas is a key attacking player for the Florida Fusion Soccer Club, which has been a finalist in five separate tournaments including the State Cup.
Roy Anderson – Anderson is an All-State defender from Chattanooga Christian School, which has contended for the Tennessee State Championship the past two years, losing in penalty kicks in 2010.
Petr Vaughan – An All-Conference midfielder from Dayton Christian High School, Vaughan also plays club with the Ohio Galaxies, where he has been a dominant force in league play.
Said coach Pifer, “These young men are part of a tremendous recruiting class. I feel confident in their ability to contribute to the team immediately, and I am excited to see what God has in store for this group of highly talented individuals.”