ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis head men's soccer coach Mike McGinty today announced six additions to the Billiken roster. All will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2014 season.
The new players are: midfielder Flavio Bonavides (Houston, Texas/James E. Taylor), defender/midfielder John Bovill (Sacramento, Calif/Jesuit), forward David Geerling (St. Louis, Mo./CBC), defender Andre Rivers-Hardware (Houston, Texas/Summer Creek), midfielder/defender Patrick Sarr (Dakar, Senegal/Montverde Academy) and forward Christian Young (Pearland, Texas/Pearland).
"We are excited about this group of players we are able to bring in this season," McGinty said. "Coach Jason O'Keefe has been instrumental in recruiting these great players. All of these players will have a positive impact on our program during their time here. We have addressed positional needs, but most of all we have added great people who fit what we want a SLU player to be."
Flavio Bonavides • MF • Houston, Texas (James E. Taylor HS)
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Bonavides plays for Texans SC Houston in the Development Academy, starting in 11 of 14 matches and scoring three goals to lead the U-18 club. He played at the U-16 level with Texas Rush in the Development Academy and scored one goal. Bonavides, who holds dual U.S.-Brazilian citizenship, was invited to the U.S. U-17 National Team tryouts in 2011. |
| McGinty on Bonavides: "Flavio is an attacking midfielder who will be comfortable in a number of positions depending on how we line up. He is an excellent student of the game and has great vision and attacking instincts. Flavio fits our style of how we want our midfielders to play and think." |
John Bovill • D/MF • Sacramento, Calif. (Jesuit)
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Bovill played for the California Development Academy in addition to Jesuit High School. At Jesuit, he helped the Marauders to the sectional finals and a 26-1-3 season record. Bovill participated in the 2013 Boy's High School All-American Game in Camden, N.J., in December. He was a member of the high honor roll every semester at Jesuit. |
| McGinty on Bovill: "John is a two-footed player who can play either outside back or midfield. He is someone that could challenge in a number of positions because of his versatility and soccer IQ. He is very well coached coming from Jesuit High School in Sacramento and the Sacramento United Soccer Club." |
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Geerling starred at CBC during his prep career and plays club ball for Lou Fusz Gold. At CBC, he led the team in goals and assists as a senior as was part of the state championship team his junior year. Geerling led his club team in goals in 2013. He is a member of the honor program and National Honor Society at CBC. Geerling's mother played field hockey at SLU, and his father was a member of the Billikens' men's soccer program. |
| McGinty on Geerling: "David is an extremely intelligent player and is a great addition to our class. He is attack minded and can score with either foot. He was very well coached at CBC, and also competed for the Lou Fusz soccer club where he won multiple championships playing for his father. I am excited to have him join the Billiken family." |
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Rivers-Hardware, who was born in England, is a starting defender for Texans SC Houston in the Development Academy. He has started all 14 games for the club so far this year and anchors a back line that has yielded just 14 goals. Rivers-Hardware helped his under-15/16 team to the national playoffs. |
| McGinty on Rivers-Hardware: "Andre is a left back who fills a void at that position after the graduation of Jon Roeckle. He is a tough and determined player who has already played at a high level with Texans SC Houston in the Development Academy. We have high hopes for Andre and expect him to have a great career at Saint Louis University." |
Patrick Sarr • MF/D • Dakar, Senegal (Montverde Academy)
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Sarr, a native of Senegal, comes to the Billikens from Montverde Academy. This is the same institution that helped develop current Billikens David Graydon and Jair Minors. Sarr has helped Montverde to back-to-back national championships and two straight undefeated seasons. |
| McGinty on Sarr: “Patrick is an excellent player who will compete for time in a number of roles because of his versatility. He is comfortable in the midfield or at outside back. Patrick is a dynamic player with excellent feet who makes the players around him better. He has played at a high level at Montverde Academy, under Coach Mike Potempa, who has an excellent track record developing players.” |
Christian Young • F • Pearland, Texas (Pearland High School)
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Young has started five games for the Texans SC Houston in the Development Academy, the same club as fellow newcomers Flavio Bonavides and Andre Rivers-Hardware. Young has scored two goals for the team. Currently in his senior season Pearland High School, Young led the Oilers in scoring as a junior with 22 goals and 11 assists |
McGinty on Young: "Christian is a big forward with the size and athleticism to play up top by himself or with a partner. He gives us great options up front with his ability and mentality. Christian is an intense worker and likes to get himself in front of the goal."
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