Brooklyn, N.Y. - Long Island University head men’s soccer coach TJ Kostecky has announced the addition of six student-athletes to the 2009 recruiting class. Anthony Costabile (Uniondale, N.Y.), Elliot Kane (Tulsa, Ok.), Roston Moore (Clarksville, Md.), Robert Schroback (Teaneck, N.J.), Nathaniel Simons (Dallas, Texas) and Nathan Stockie (Beaumont, Texas) will all be joining an experienced Blackbird team this season.
"We're excited with the second group of 2009 committed men's soccer student-athletes joining us in the Fall,” Kostecky said. “All six have demonstrated the right qualities of character, leadership, and a drive to achieve that will complement our current players. “We welcome them as a positive addition to our program.”
Costabile comes to Brooklyn with the ability to play midfield or forward. At Kellenberg Memorial High School, Costabile was a four-year varsity letterwinner who patrolled the center midfield. In 2008, he trained with the Hellas Verona Academy in Italy.
Kane can play either in a defensive or midfield role and brings a championship pedigree. He was a four-time Oklahoma state champion and team captain during his senior year in high school.
Kane also led his club team Tulsa SC to two Region 3 titles.
An all-state track star at River Hill High School, Moore will provide Long Island with added speed on the defensive end. During his time at River Hill, Moore played in the central defense and at right back. Moor was a versatile asset in defense for SAC United, one of the most competitive club teams in Maryland.
Schroback was a four-sport athlete at Hasbrouck Heights High School, excelling on the pitch as a two-year captain. In his final two seasons where he played in the midfield and on defense, Schroback was a two-time team Most Valuable Player, all-league, all-county, and all-state selection.
Simons has had a stellar youth soccer career, excelling on the club level throughout high school. He is standout center midfielder for Andromeda's 91 academy team, the 2008 USYS National Champions. In 2008, he was the captain and central midfielder for the South Texas
ODP team
A two-time All-State selection at goalkeeper, Stockie will add competition at the position for the Blackbirds. Stockie was a member of the All-District team three times and also excelled in football and baseball. He was a leader for one of the top academy teams Texas SC out of Houston.
The signees will join Michael Cable (Las Vegas, Nev.), John Connolly (Annapolis, Md.), Josef Hess (Alpine, N.J.) and Jakeem Johnson (Belleville, N.J.) as part of a 10-player recruiting class.
A team MVP in his final two years at Arbor View High School, Cable can play in the midfield or be used in a defensive role. The 6-foot-4 Las Vegas product was an all-division and all-region selection during his junior and senior seasons. Cable was a standout defender who led his club team, the Las Vegas Premier SC, to the 2008 USYS National Directors Cup Finals.
Connolly set school records for winning percentage and shutouts in goal for Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore. The 6-foot goalkeeper started every game during his four years at Curley and led the team to a state championship in 2006. Connolly was a standout performer for one of the top academy teams, the Baltimore Bays out of Maryland.
A 6-foot-2 forward, Hess was part of three league championship teams at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. from 2006-2008. In addition, he was a standout 400-meter runner for the track team. Hess was a two-year starter for the Pasco Soccer Club.
In three years at Montclair High School, Johnson tallied 45 goals and was name second team all-state for his senior campaign. Standing at 6-foot-1, Johnson was name honorable mention all-state in 2007 and earned the Best Offensive Player Award at Montclair. In 2008, he led his club team TSF (NJ) in scoring as the Super-Y League National Champions.
Long Island is coming off a 2008 season that saw the most wins in four years and a seventh place finish in the Northeast Conference.