NEWBERRY — Newberry men’s head soccer coach Bryce Cooper has announced the signing of seven players for the 2017 season.

Cooper is coming off his first season at Newberry where he earned two more wins and two more ties than the previous season. Other notables include eight more points in the conference, nine more goals scored, and seven fewer goals allowed. The team would also earn the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association) team academic award for the fall season of 2016 with an overall 3.42 team grade point average.

Andrew Aragon – GK – Lake Fenton HS (Linden, Mich.)

“After watching Andrew at one of our prospect camps I knew he would be a great fit here. He is technically sound at the goalkeeping position, has a great work rate and mentality and will help push our goal keeping group each and every day,” said Cooper.

Aragon played varsity soccer Lake Fenton High School from 2014 to 2017 where he was the starting goalkeeper as a sophomore through his senior season. In the 2016-17 season, his team won the Genesee Area Conference, as well as a District Title. Aragon set a school record in 2016 for the most shut outs in one season. His athletic awards include athlete of the week three years in a row, and MVP the last two years.

Aragon has played for the Nationals Soccer Club (formerly Waza FC East) since 2013 on MRL Premier 1, BCC and NPL. His team was the State Cup Champions in 2015 and made it into Regionals.

Tristen Caples – OB/W – Ashley Ridge HS (Summerville)

“Tristen has played at a high level and has been in some quality environments including the USSDA (United States Soccer Development Academy) which will serve him well as he makes the transition to the college game. He has tremendous pace, excellent timing out of the back, great versatility and has an extremely high ceiling. I’m excited to see what he can become both as a player and more importantly a person,” said Cooper.

Caples played on varsity team for first two years at Ashley Ridge High school and will be starting his senior year this spring, as he missed his junior year due to playing academy soccer.

Caples played club soccer at the United Soccer Academy Mount Pleasant (USAMP) for three years on the 98 Premier team. The team made it to the State Cup Finals in 2015. Caples also played on year for the South Carolina Battery Academy which was a USL youth team that played in the U.S Developmental Academy.

Pedro Gabriel Ferreira Campos – CB/DCM (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)

“Pedro has good size, is very composed on the ball and has excellent distribution. He has a good soccer IQ and has played at a high level back in Brazil. He will be a great complement to our back line and will be impactful right away. I’m looking forward to getting him on campus this fall,” said Cooper.

In 2007 with Escolinha Portugal, Campos was the MVP of the Belo Horizonte’s championship. He also played for Clube Atlético Mineiro from 2009-2011 and was the 2010 Champion of the Mineiro’s championship. With América Futebol Clube (América Mineiro) in 2011-2012, his Pedro’s team was the Vice Champion of the 2011 Mineiro’s championship. Campos also played with Marilia Atlético Club from 2012-2014, and Rio Preto in 2014-2015. He was named the MVP of the Miraestrela’s Championship with Rio Preto.

Andrew Gallagher – OB/W – Chapin HS (Chapin)

“Anytime you can get a quality local player like Andrew, it’s a great thing for our program. Andrew has good pace and athleticism and can play multiple positions. During his recruiting process, he understood what we are building here and where we think we are going. I believe he’ll help us build that culture of excellence that we are instilling in our program. I’m excited that his family and friends will get a chance to see him play throughout his college career,” said Cooper.

Gallagher was the top goal scorer for Dutch Fork HS varsity team his junior year. Andrew won the Varsity Golden Boot Award in 2016, and was an All-Region Selection in 2016.

Gallagher has played for SCUFC (South Carolina United Football Club) the last two years where they won the Charlotte Invitational in 2015 and the SC State Cup Championship. Andrew was top 10 in scoring at the Region 3 Championships.

Prior to SCUFC, Gallagher played at CESA (Carolina Elite Soccer Association) where they went to USYS Nationals in 2014. He also spent time with the SC ODP (Olympic Development Program) for three years and was selected as a Regional Pool Player in 2016.

Vojin Manojilivic – CM – Podgorica, Montenegro

“Vojin will be a great addition to our program and will be able to come in from day one and impact the team. He’s played at an extremely high level playing for his native country’s youth national team, and that will serve him very well as he looks to make an impact at the college level in one of the toughest conferences in the country at the Division II level. He’ll be an invaluable resource for our players when we get into the rigors of the season and they can look to him for guidance and advice as we try and compete for post season play. I’m excited to have him at Newberry and look forward to seeing his impact both on and off the field,” said Cooper.

Manojilivic has played for FK Bubamara, FK Mladost, OFK Beograd (Belgrade), FK Bratstvo, as well as the National Team of Montenegro U16, U17, U18. Vojin has won with many teams over his young career.

He was a winner of the 2015 Youth Cup of Montenegro with FK Mladost (U17); Winner of the 2016 Youth League of Montenegro with FK Mladost (U19); Winner of the 2015 Montengrian Cup with FK Mladost; Winner of “Besov Cup” in Saint Petrsburg with Ofk Beograd (U18); Winner of the Youth Cup of Central Region of Montenegro in 2014 with FK Mladost.

Manojilivic recieved other awards such as the ‘Best Player of T-Com Cup’ in 2009; The Best Player of Podgorica Cup in 2008; The Most Talented Player of Tournament “Djecja nedelja” in 2006; Awarded for The Best Player of FK Bubamara in 2006; Also went to PSV academy in 2010, and Barcelona camp in 2012.

Steve Martinez – ACM – Manchester HS (Richmond, Va.)

“Steve attended one of our prospect camps and I knew right away he would be a great fit at Newberry. He’s technical, composed on the ball, has great vision and fits well into our playing style. He will be a great addition to our program and will fit seamlessly into our style, philosophies and expectations,” added Cooper.

Martinez was a varsity starter for Manchester H.S. for three years. He most recently played with Richmond United Academy U18s.

Prior to Richmond United, Martinez played for the Richmond Kickers winning the Capital Fall Classic Tournament and Ultimate Cup Championships.

Wil Shepherd — DCM/CM – Mason HS (Mason, Ohio)

“Wil has great size, a good passing range, is a solid defender and is versatile. He embodies all the characteristics Newberry College instills in it’s student athletes, and he will represent the program well both on and off the field,” said Cooper.

Shepherd was a three-year starter and team captain for Mason HS. His team won conference, district, and regionals in 2015. They would repeat as conference and district champions in 2016.

Shepherd played for Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club (CUP). They won the MRL (Midwest Regional League) at U15 level, and won the Disney Showcase. Shepherd was a member of Ohio South ODP (Olympic Development Program) State Team and made regional camp in 2014.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_NC-186-Solo-HowlingN-whitewolf-2.jpg

Staff Report