Furman Men's Soccer Signs Seven To National Letters Of Intent
Feb. 26, 2010
Greenville, S.C. -- The Furman University men’s soccer team has added seven newcomers for the 2010 season, it was announced on Friday afternoon by Paladin head coach Doug Allison.
John Cantrell (Crestwood, Ky.), Josh Fusan (Windermere, Fla.), Michael Gandier (Hastings, Minn.), Josh Lietch (Atlanta, Ga.), Nathan Wagner (Arlington, Texas) and Emmu Wakai (Charlotte, N.C.) will join the Paladins in the fall while Michael Radecke (Buffalo, N.Y.) has already enrolled at Furman.
“We are excited about this year’s signing class and look forward to them beginning their Furman careers,” said Allison. “They are all outstanding student-athletes and will fit well with our soccer program and fit well academically at Furman University.”
The class boasts three players in Cantrell, Fusan, and Gandier with significant region team experience, both domestically and overseas. Fusan has also garnered experience in the U.S. Youth National Team system. Three players, Wakai, Wagner and Radecke, have all had significant U.S. Academy experience with their club teams.
2010 Signing Class
Player Pos. Hometown Last School Club
John Cantrell MF/F Crestwood, Ky. South Oldham H.S. Javanon
Josh Fusan MF Windermere, Fla. West Orange H.S. FC QPR
Michael Gandier MF Hastings, Minn. Shattuck-St. Mary’s Shattuck-St. Mary’s
Josh Lietch MF Atlanta, Ga. Creekview H.S. Cobb FC
Michael Radecke D/MF Buffalo, N.Y. St. Joe’s Collegiate Institute Empire United
Nathan Wagner D Arlington, Texas Arlington Juan Seguin H.S. Solar FC
Emmu Wakai D Charlotte, N.C. Mallard Creek H.S. North Meck SC
John Cantrell
6-0, Midfielder/Forward
Crestwood, Ky.
High school standout for coach Denis Beall at South Oldham High School... Team captain helped South Oldham to district, region and Sub-Sectional titles last season... Reached the state quarterfinals and ranked second on squad in both goals and assists... Earned all-district, all-region and all-state honors... Played club soccer for coach Tim Chastonay and Javanon, one of the most dominant club teams in its age group... Guided team to 2008 and 2009 Region II championships and National Semifinals... Claimed five Kentucky State titles... Reached two Disney Showcase divisional finals and claimed 2009 MRL Boys U-17 Premier Division Red title... Six-year Kentucky ODP member and three-year Region II ODP member... traveled with Region II on trip to Argentina.
Josh Fusan
5-7, Midfielder
Windermere, Fla.
Prepped for coach Scott Fisher at West Orange High School as a midfielder... A four-year starter and two-year team captain... Earned all-state honors last season... Starred for club side FC QPR and coach David Bardsley and previously with the U-16 Schultz Academy team... Helped his team to a Disney Showcase and CASL Tournament championship... Member of the Florida and Region ODP squads for three years... Former U.S. U-15 National Team pool player... Played in Madrid and Mexico with regional team and in Mexico with the national team.
Michael Gandier
6-2, Midfielder
Hastings, Minn.
Standout midfielder for coach Tim Carter at Shattuck St. Mary’s Club... Led his team to the 2009 Disney Showcase championship, 2009 Adidas Junior-Senior Showcase championship, 2009 CASL Tournament title, 2008 and 2009 U-17 U.S. Club Soccer Regional titles and 2008 and 2009 U.S Club Soccer Finals... Was named team’s MVP in 2008 and 2009... Helped club to the USL Super Y League National Championship in 2009... Six-year member of the Minnesota ODP team and traveled to Costa Rica with the Region II ODP team in 2009.
Josh Lietch
5-8, Midfielder
Atlanta, Ga.
Played high school soccer for coach Shawn McClellan at Creekview High School... Three-time all-country selection who led his team in goals and assists as a freshman and sophomore... Earned all-region honors as a junior... Played club soccer with Cobb FC and coach Steve Gummer... Guided Cobb to the 2004 Georgia State title, 2006 Dallas Cup championship and 2007 Region III title... Ranked among top fove in goals and assists in Region III in 2009... Member of the Georgia ODP team.
Michael Radecke
5-9, Midfielder/Defender
Buffalo, N.Y.
Entered Furman early in the Spring of 2010... Played midfield and outside back for coach Mike Thoin at St. Joes Collegiate Institute... Earned Attacking Player of the Year and New York All-Catholic Team honors... Played club soccer for Empire United U-18 Academy Team and coach Tom Garigan... Member of the New York State ODP team and Region I ODP squad... Traveled with Region I to tournament in Spain.
Nathan Wagner
6-1, Defender
Arlington, Texas
Defender for coach Joe Baffa at Arlington Juan Seguin High School... Four-year letterwinner and two-year co-captain... Helped Juan Seguin claim 2007 district title and 2008 area championship... Named district’s Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and district’s defensive mvp as a sophomore and junior... Played for coach kevin Smith, the 2008 NSCAA National Youth Coach of the Year at Solar SC U-18 Academy Team... Led Solar to the Dallas Cup finals in 2009 and North texas State Cup finals in 2004, 2007 and 2008... Reached Disney Showcase semifinals in 2008 and 2009... Member of the North Texas State ODP pool... Lettered in cross country and was a regional qualifier.
Emmu Wakai
5-11, Defender
Charlotte, N.C.
Prepped for coach Dane Perry at Mallard Creek High School... Captured all-conference, all-region and all-state honors as both a sophomore and junior... Served as team captain his sophomore season... Played club soccer for coaches Craig Conger and Chris Penton at North Meck Soccer Club and is currently a member of the U-18 North Meck Academy Team... Helped North Meck to the 2006 & 2007 NCYSA State Cup Finals and North Carolina Premier League championship... Claimed the 2006 Region III Premier League title and advanced to the USYSA Region III Championship quarterfinals.