CALIFORNIA (June 23) – Nine standout student-athletes have signed to attend the California University of Pennsylvania and play soccer for the Vulcans, announced the Men’s Soccer program on Tuesday.
The group features six Pennsylvania natives and one player from Massachusetts, Virginia and Ontario.
Cal U won its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament championship last season and earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Hometown/High School |
| Jake Gazda |
MF/F |
5-10 |
State College, Pa./State College |
| Ryan Grindle |
F |
6-1 |
Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills |
| Derek Haig |
MF |
6-1 |
Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills |
| Chris Moehler |
MF |
5-9 |
Centreville, Va./Paul VI Catholic |
| Nurudin Osumanu |
D |
6-0 |
Chicopee, Mass./Springfield Tech. C.C. |
| Alec Picardi |
F |
5-10 |
Pottstown, Pa./Saint Pius X |
| Neil Sain |
GK |
6-1 |
Acme, Pa./Connellsville |
| Chris Spavelko |
D |
5-11 |
South Park, Pa./South Park |
| Nemanja Visekruna |
D |
6-2 |
Hamilton, Ontario/St. Thomas More |
Quotes from head men's soccer coach
Dennis Laskey:
Jake Gazda - "Jake is a great dribbler with speed and play. He can play on top or outside midfield."
- Four-year starter
- Captain
Ryan Grindle - "Ryan is a high rate forward that scores goals from all angles."
- Four-year letterman
- Captain
Derek Haig - "Derek reads the game well and can play outside midfield."
- Two-year starter
Chris Moehler - "Chris is a creative midfielder with a high work rate."
- First-Team All-State
- Led H.S. team to state semifinals
- Captain
- Finished senior season with 14 goals and 16 assists
Nurudin Osumanu - "Nurudin brings speed and technical ability to our defense."
- Two-year starter and captain
Alec Picardi - "Alec is a technical player with speed and an uncanny ability to score goals."
- Saint Pius X High School Athlete of the Year
- Captain
Neil Sain - "Neil has excellent reflexes and good hands. He will push our two junior goalkeepers."
- Three-year starter
- Captain
Chris Spavelko - "Chris is a solid defender with great ability to score goals off set pieces with his head."
- Started on state championship team
- Missed senior season with broken leg
Nemanja Visekruna - "Nemanja is a solid all-around player and will play where needed."
- Four-year starter
- Captain