Men's Soccer Adds Seven in 2019 Class

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida men's soccer team added seven members to their squad during the early signing period in November, head coach Derek Marinatos announced on Wednesday afternoon.

"We have been working on this class for the past few years and it provides our team with some much needed depth," said Marinatos. "It is a balanced and solid class from top to bottom, and we feel it has some of the top talents both locally and from Florida. We hope for them to come in competing for playing time."

All seven signees hail from the state of Florida with four having collegiate experience competing at the junior college level at Daytona State College.

Brennan Breuer
Hometown: Trinity, Fla.
High School: J.W. Mitchell
Height: 5-8
Position: Midfielder
Club: Tampa Bay United

Led J.W. Mitchell to 2016 District Championship and runner-up finish in 2017.
Named to the all-conference team last two seasons.
Helped club team capture state and regional championship in 2017, 2017 Disney Showcase title and 2018 state title while a 2018 ECNL National Championships participant.
Guided team to National title in 2017 and runner-up finish in National Championship in 2018
Named Conference Player of the Southeast Division ECNL in 2018
Selected to participate in ECNL National Training Camp in Bahamas and voted to the ECNL 2018 All-American team.

"Brennan is a very dangerous attacking player. He can play multiple positions (wide, forward, central) and has an ability to help create both goals and assists. He is also a member of a Tampa Bay United team that reached back-to-back National Championships in 2017 and 2018 and won it in 2017." – head coach Derek Marinatos

Robbie Soronellas
Hometown: Lutz, Fla.
High School: Steinbrenner
Height: 5-9
Position: Midfielder
Club: Tampa Bay Premier 01 Boys

Named team MVP as a junior.
Scored two goals and one assist as a sophomore and six goals and two assists in junior season.
Five-time state champion with club team.
Led club team to national title in 2017 and national runner-up finish in 2018.
Named Southern Regional Champions in 2017 and National League Champions in 2018.

"Robbie is a player that plays with a tremendous work rate. He is a tough, left-footed midfielder capable of playing anywhere in the midfield. He is also a member of a Tampa Bay United team that reached back-to-back National Championships in 2017 and 2018 and won it in 2017." – head coach Derek Marinatos

Almir Kurtanovic
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School: Mandarin
Height: 6-0
Position: Defender
Previous Team: Daytona State College
Club: Jacksonville Armada

Competed for four seasons with Jacksonville Armada.
Called into US U-15 Boys' National Team training camp
Started six matches while appearing in seven matches and recording one assist in lone season at Daytona State College.

"We have been tracking Almir since he was a local youth player in Jacksonville. Almir can play anywhere on the back line. He is both very technical and athletic while also a solid one-on-one defender. He has really matured both on and off the field in his two seasons at Daytona. He is also joining our program this January, giving him a spring season to get well integrated into our team." – head coach Derek Marinatos

Herbie Steigelman
Hometown: St. Johns, Fla.
High School: Bartram Trail
Height: 5-10
Position: Defender
Club: Armada FC Pro Academy

Played four years of US Soccer Development Academy with Armada FC.
Selected as team captain and scored one goal in 2017-18 season.
Reached the U16 State Cup Final Four while a U16 Region III Runner-up and U16 FPL Champion in 2017.

"Herbie is another local player we have been following for some time, having attended some of our ID camps over the past few years. Herbie is a player that immediately makes a team stronger with the leadership qualities he exhibits both on and off the field. He has played as both a left back and left centerback as an Armada Development Academy player, and we have watched him continuously grow as a youth player." – head coach Derek Marinatos

Giovanny Abreu
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School: Oakleaf
Height: 5-10
Position: Midfielder
Previous Team: Daytona State College
Club: Clay County Soccer Club

Tallied 26 goals and 32 assists in four-year career at Oakleaf.
Won Disney tournament, IMG tournament and North Carolina tournament with Clay County Soccer Club.
Named to the Region 8 Second Team after starting 18 matches for Daytona State in 2018.

"Gio is another player from the Clay County Soccer Club in Orange Park. He has played both central midfield and as a right back at Dayona and is very technically sound with a very high soccer IQ. He is a very competitive one-on-one defender and has an ability to get forward from the right back position. He has really matured as a player in the past two seasons at Daytona." – head coach Derek Marinatos

Carlos Melendez
Hometown: Winter Springs, Fla.
High School: Winter Springs
Height: 6-3
Position: Goalkeeper
Previous Team: Daytona State College
Club: Orlando City

Played six years for Orlando City club team.
Started 16 matches while appearing in 17 matches in goal for Daytona State.
Posted a 10-3-3 record with a 1.13 goals-against average and .802 save percentage this season.

"Carlos is a very athletic goalkeeper with good size that has trained and played at a high level with Orlando City in the Development Academy as a youth player. He is also very good in the air and a dynamic shot stopper. He got a full year's playing experience at the collegiate level, and we expect him to come in and challenge for the goalkeeper position." – head coach Derek Marinatos

Miguel De Leon Jr.
Hometown: Deltona, Fla.
High School: Dewitt-Taylor
Height: 5-7
Position: Forward
Previous Team: Daytona State College
Club: Florida Kraze Krush

Capped stellar prep career with 175 career goals and 45 career assists.
Named 4A Player of the Year in state of Florida.
Played one year for Florida Kraze Krush club team.
Named to the All-Region 8 First Team and selected as an NJCAA Second Team All-American in 2017.
Chosen to the United Soccer Coaches Junior College All-South Region First Team and All-American Second Team in 2017.

"Miguel is a player we have also tracked since he was a high school sophomore. He is a very dangerous one-on-one attacking player that can play both wide and as a forward that has proven himself capable of scoring and setting up scoring chances. He has an infectious work rate and very high soccer IQ." – head coach Derek Marinatos

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