WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - Monmouth University Men's Soccer Head Coach Robert McCourt has announced the addition of nine student-athletes for the 2017 season. Earlier this year, the team announced that goalkeeper Bobby Edwards and defender Henrique Joaquim had joined the Hawks, leading to a total of 11 new players for the upcoming season. In 13 seasons at Monmouth, McCourt has compiled a 150-61-49 (.671) record while leading the Hawks to five conference championships and nine regular season titles.

 "I am very excited to add nine more student-athletes to the class of 2017," said McCourt. "This is a great group of young men who are all extremely talented players and fantastic students.  We have added a good balance of experienced players with exciting incoming freshmen. We also welcome back our extremely talented 2016 recruit Johnny Antunes who sat out last season due to injury.  This class adds talent and depth to every position. The quality of our schedule will once again see us play against some fantastic soccer programs where we will be challenged every game. I am excited to head into these battles with 2017 Monmouth Hawks!"
 
MEET THE CLASS
Anes Mrkulic 
Highlands, NJ
6'2 175 lbs
Forward
Gill Saint Bernard's
NJCSA Academy
 
Mrkulic racked up 24 goals and 10 assists as a junior before scoring 23 goals and dishing out 12 assists as a senior. He set the school record for most goals in a game with six and achieved All-State honors in his time at Gill Saint Bernard's.
McCourt on Mrkulic:
"Anes is a striker with a knack for the goal. He has great movement and ideas without the ball, which create plenty of scoring opportunities. Anes also combines well with his teammates making it difficult for defenders to key in on him. He is a typical number 9 who can hold the ball up for teammates, but also makes crafty runs in behind defenses."   
 
Santo Arena
Holmdel, NJ
5'6 140 lbs
Midfield
Holmdel High School
NJCSA Academy
 
Arena was a team captain and a regular starter for both NJCSA U-18 and U-16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He completed one year of high school soccer, earning Rookie of the Year accolades while leading his team to the semifinals.
McCourt on Arena:
"Santo is a versatile midfielder who can play all positions in the midfield.  He is very technical with the ball and has a tireless work rate.  Santo comes from a very successful soccer family.  His experience from being a long time U.S. Soccer Academy player combined with his work ethic will help prepare him for college soccer." 
 
Sean Murray
Fanwood, NJ
6'3 185 lbs
Goalkeeper
Scotch Plains Fanwood High School
PDA
 
Murray was a two-time First Team All-State player who played in the East/West High School All-America Game. He compiled 43 shutouts while leading Scotch Plains to the State Finals.
McCourt on Murray:
"Sean played for legendary HS Coach Tom Breznitsky at Scotch Plains HS and played his club ball at the Player Development Academy.  Sean follows the likes of Colin Stripling and Bryan Meredith, who also played at Scotch Plains and have had tremendous careers here at Monmouth.  He has had some fantastic high school and club experiences that will help prepare him for this transition to college soccer.   Sean is very athletic and has the size and technical ability to do well at this next level."
 
Alex Hajj
Wayne, PA
5'10 145 lbs
Midfield
YSC Academy
Continental Delco
 
In 41 games played for Continental FC during his last two seasons, Hajj scored 13 goals. The Pennsylvania native was also a member of the 2015-15 ODP Region 1 Player Pool.
McCourt on Hajj:
"Alex is a versatile striker. He scores goals but also does a great job of setting up his teammates.  Playing for the Delco Academy team makes him battle-tested for the rigors of college soccer." 
 
Jake Treiber
Marlton, NJ
5'9 155 lbs
Midfield/Forward
Cherokee High School
Marlton SC GPS Premier 98
 
Treiber earned All-State honors during his junior and senior years at Cherokee, and totaled 26 goals and 22 assists throughout his high school career. With his club team, he advanced to the U19 National Championship Series.
McCourt on Treiber:
"Jake plays primarily as a wide forward or wide midfield player.  He has a tireless work rate up and down the flanks and provides good service from wide positions.  Jake is playing summer soccer with the U23 NJ Barons. These types of experiences will help in his transition to the rigors of college soccer." 
 
Luke Bromley
Rugby, England
6'1 185 lbs
Defender
Princethorpe College (Florida Southern)
Coventry City FC Academy
 
Prior to his time at Florida Southern, Bromley competed for Coventry City FC in England, facing some of the best young players in the country from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United. In his first season with Florida Southern, he was named to Second Team All-Sunshine State after starting all 14 games.
McCourt on Bromley:
"Luke brings a lot of high-level experience having played two seasons in college and his youth experiences at Coventry City. Luke has a great range of passing, is very strong defensively and is a great header of the ball. Luke is a vocal leader who keeps his teams organized.  He can play as a central defender or an outside back. His versatility and experience will be a big asset for us." 
 
Daniel Frisch-Harmon
Wall, NJ
6'2 170 lbs
Midfield/Defender
Wall High School
Wall Soccer Club
 
Frisch-Harmon was a four-year varsity starter at Wall High School, earning All-State honors after his junior and senior seasons. Throughout his high school career he compiled 26 goals and 17 assists, including 18 goals during his final year.
McCourt on Frisch-Harmon:
"Daniel is a versatile player who can play in the midfield or as a defender.  He possesses good technical ability on the ball, and is very athletic.  He has a strong tactical sense of the game and a good range of passing.  Playing club ball for [Monmouth Associate Head Coach] Hugh MacDonald for most of his career will help Daniel transition to college soccer." 
 
Donovan Pollock
Melbourne, Australia 
6'1 170 lbs
Forward
Adelaide United U20 (Old Dominion)
 
Pollock started in 13 games as a freshman at Old Dominion last season, scoring two goals. He was named to the Adelaide United FC 2015 NPL State League Squad and was the 2015 NPL State League Golden Boot winner with 36 goals. Pollock helped his team win the 2015 National Premier League State League title, scoring seven goals in the State League title game.
McCourt on Pollock:
"Doni has played at some very high-end levels in his career. He plays as a striker but also can play the number 10 position. Doni has very crafty movement in and around the box, as the timing of his runs and movement off the ball result in a lot of scoring opportunities and goals. His year at Old Dominion combined with his experiences in Australia should provide a foundation for success here at Monmouth." 
 
George Akampeke 
Bolgatanga, Ghana
6'2 185 lbs
Midfielder 
 
McCourt on Akampeke:
"George is a dynamic player with tremendous athleticism and pace.   He is also technically very strong on the ball.   He will play a defensive role in the midfield, but is capable of playing a number of positions.  George has a fantastic range of passing and combines well with his teammates."