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ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University men's soccer program is proud to introduce 10 new players for the upcoming season.
The incoming class consists of seven freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors and features student-athletes from two states and four countries.
"We are excited to welcome the newest members of our Redhawks Family," said Scott Reber, who is entering the ninth season as head coach at his alma mater. "The incoming class brings a great deal of talent to campus, but beyond that they are quality students and people who will be productive members of the Roberts Wesleyan University community."
Roberts, which went 11-5-6 and advanced to the National Christian College Athletic Association championship match last season, opens its 2023 campaign at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 at Malone University.
The newcomers include:
Position: Midfield
Year: Junior
Hometown: Kamuela, HI
High school/college: Hawaii Preparatory Academy/Southwestern Oregon Community College
Major: Exercise Science
Accolades: Two-time Hawaii High School Athletic champion … Won Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship three times in high school … First-team All BIIF and HHSAA selection … Dean's list student … Made NWAC All-Academic team at Southwestern Oregon.
Why did you choose Roberts: "I chose Roberts because I want to continue pushing myself academically as well as athletically and Roberts has given me an amazing opportunity to discover my potential."
Position: Forward
Year: Junior
Hometown: Kamuela, HI
High school/college: Hawaii Preparatory Academy/Southwestern Oregon Community College
Major: Philosophy
Accolades: Won three state titles and four BIIF championships in high school … Three-time first-team All-BIIF selection … Led NWAC's Southern Division with 7 goals last season … Made NWAC All-Conference and All-Academic teams.
Why did you choose Roberts: "I chose Roberts for the unique opportunity to continue my soccer and academic careers while deepening my faith. The team culture was also an attractive characteristic in helping me reach my decision. I'm very excited to be a part of this family."
Position: Defense
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Mirabel, Quebec
High school: Bridgton Academy
Major: Business Administration
Accolades: Earned Highest Honors award for academics at Bridgton Academy.
Why did you choose Roberts: "The campus made me feel like home and the soccer coaches were very welcoming and experienced."
Juan Daniel Espinosa Rubino
Position: Goalkeeper
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Colombia
High school/college: Colegio Berchmans/Southern New Hampshire University
Major: Business Administration
Accolades: Played for Deportivo Cali from 2015-21 … Won championship and was named best goalkeeper at the Las Americas International, Valle Del Cauca Departmental League, Nerero Rocco Trophy Gradisca tournaments … Played for Atlerico FC from 2021-22.
Why did you choose Roberts: "I chose Roberts because it has an excellent reputation with all of its international students. I also realize that I am going to finish my degree in a complete and integral way."
Position: Midfield
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
High school: Courtice Country School
Major: Exercise Science
Accolades: Earned Ontario Scholar and Hospitality Awards in high school.
Why did you choose Roberts: "I chose Roberts because of the soccer program as well as the exercise science program that I will be taking."
Position: Midfield
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Mangerton, Australia
High school: Illawarra Grammar School
Major: Exercise Science
Accolades: Competed in both soccer and cross country in high school … Received the the Illawarra Grammar School Merit Award and AICES Football Colours Award in Recognition of Sporting Excellence … Was invited to train at the Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers youth academies in the United Kingdom …  Received the Head of Senior School Award for Outstanding Achievement and Commitment.
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Why did you choose Roberts: "Roberts was my university of choice for a range of reasons, those being the strong soccer program, great facilities and the ability to complete my degree of choice in an excellent learning environment."
Position: Defense
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Rochester, NY
High school: McQuaid Jesuit
Major: Sports Management and Marketing
Accolades: Won two Section V championships (2019 and 2022) during high school career … Named to the Section V Class AA All-Tournament team and selected first-team All-RCAC as a senior … Earned second-team All-RCAC honors as a junior … Graduated with academic honors.
Why did you choose Roberts: ""I chose Roberts Wesleyan University due to my interest in joining the Redhawks NCAA Division II soccer team. I value both the level of play and how the soccer program has already made me feel valued as an individual. It is also a priority of mine to receive a faith-based education."
Position: Forward
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Fairport, NY
High school: Fairport
Major: Business and Psychology
Accolades: All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year scored 20 goals with 7 assists during his senior season … United Soccer Coaches All-American … The Ronald Zorn Player of the Year was also a first-team All-County and All-Region selection … Recognized as an Urban League Black Scholar.
Why did you choose Roberts: "I chose Roberts because it is a religious school and I feel like I am being welcomed into a family and treated as such."
Position: Forward/Midfield
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Fairport, NY
High school: Fairport
Major: Business Entrepreneurship
Accolades: Second-team All-Greater Rochester and first-team All-County selection as a senior … Made Section V All-Tournament team … Urban League Black Scholar.
Why did you choose Roberts: "I chose Roberts because it was a close, welcoming Christian school that has a great soccer team."
Position: Midfield
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Churchville, NY
High school: Churchville-Chili
Major: Forensic Science
Accolades: Earned first-team All-County honors and was named Churchville-Chili's MVP his senior season … A National Honor Society member, he graduated cum laude and was a member of the Foreign Language Honor Society, World Language Honor Society and named and Urban League Black Scholar.
Why did you choose Roberts: "I chose Roberts Wesleyan because it is close to home which will also help me focus on and improve my relationship with God. I also believe that the men's soccer program here will help me grow tremendously, both as a player and a person."
