LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University Men’s soccer program has a winning tradition that began 56 years ago when the Bald Eagles captured their first conference championship.

Since 1951, they have won a total of 20 conference championships as well as three NCAA Championships in 1977, 1978, and 1980.

When the Bald Eagles take the field in August they will welcome 12 newcomers that will make up their 2007 recruiting class, and all have their minds set on a spot playing on a perennial powerhouse.

The recruiting class consists of ten incoming freshmen, along with two transfer students.

Incoming Freshmen:

Mark Auman (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield)

Auman will help fill openings in the midfield and is described by LHU head men’s soccer coach Doug Moore as the perfect replacement for last years captain Pat Long. Auman is a skillful, creative and hard working player whose greatest strength is his passing ability.

Austen Callaro (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley)

Callaro is a 6’3’’ left footed player who will add height and physical presence to the left flank. He can play at either full back or in a more advanced attacking role.

Chris Custer (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley)

Custer is a 6’3’’ goalkeeper who Moore sees as an eventual replacement for seniors Chad Feerrar (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) and Matthew Deming (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine Richland). With superb junior Billy Trimble (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) the Bald Eagles have a foursome of keepers that anyone would envy.

Derek Hartman (Shermansdale, Pa./West Perry)

Hartman is a 6’5” center back who will add depth and solid soccer experience to the defense. He spent two years at the prestigious IMG Soccer Academy in Florida, which is known for producing top notch talent at all levels.

Kevin McCune (Butler, Pa./Butler)

A product of Northern Steel Soccer Club, Kevin can play anywhere across the back four spots. Tall, skillful and quick, he will look to step in quickly to help the squad.

John McMahon (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton)

“Very energetic, good on the ball with a tremendous appetite for the game,” says Moore. He was captain of his high school team and is someone who could see a lot of time early. He is a highly rated played with great pace and ability which could fit in nicely in the midfield or on the wing.

Zach Miller (Girard, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep)

Someone that Moore identified early in the recruiting process as a potential top recruit. Despite a serious knee injury which put him out of the game for almost a year, Moore never lost faith in the talented left footed defender. Zach is now fully fit and raring to go.

Doug Moran (Butler, Pa./Butler)

A teammate of Kevin McCune, Moran also stars as a track athlete and is ranked in the top 14 in the state as a sprinter. Doug will add real pace to the front line and allied to his high work rate and unselfish play, it will make it difficult for defenders to handle.

Martin Pletz (Pittsburgh, Pa./Carlynton)

Martin has great speed. He’s a “big guy” at 6’5, but has speed and is very skillful on the ball for his height and Moore doesn’t see what more you could ask for from a forward. Pletz will add size to an attack that already has a strong scoring punch.

Kyle Yoder (State College, Pa./State College)

Yoder is a player who Moore has seen in action many times and each time he felt that Yoder was the best player on the field. A midfield “anchor” player, Kyle will bring composure and solidity wherever he is on the field and is as equally solid at home defense if he is called upon by coach Moore to play on the back line.

Three local players will look to earn a spot on the Bald Eagle squad after wrapping up solid careers at Central Mountain High School in Mill Hall. Paul Brungard, Josh Corbett, and Noah Heimer will all come to camp as freshman.

Transfers:

Bryn Zeigler (Lewisburg, Pa./Robert Morris)

Ziegler is a transfer from Division I Robert Morris University, where he played for two seasons. Moore originally recruited Ziegler very intensely out of Lewisburg, and will come in this year looking to make an impact as an attacking midfielder/forward.

Lyndell Pompey (Aripero, Trinidad/Wheeling Jesuit)

Pompey comes to Lock Haven as a highly decorated player with junior eligibility. Last season for Wheeling Jesuit University, he was named to the All-Conference squad, as well as Second Team All-Appalachian Region from the defender position. Prior to Wheeling Jesuit, Pompey was a member of Trinidad & Tobago’s under-17 national squad.