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Men's Soccer Inks 10 Student-Athletes To Letters of Intent
Feb. 10, 2004 SEATTLE, Wash. - Ten student-athletes, including seven from the state of Washington, have signed national letters of intent to play for the Husky men's soccer team beginning in the fall 2004, Washington head coach Dean Wurzberger announced Tuesday. This year's Husky men's soccer recruiting class includes Ely Allen (Kent/Kentridge HS), Eric Blythe (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area HS), Keith Cain (Silverdale/Central Kitsap HS), Cameron Copps-Tilley (Vancouver, Wash./Fort Vancouver HS), Brett Hite (Spokane/University HS), Jordan Jennings (Tacoma/Stadium HS), Nick Loveless (Kenmore/Inglemoor), Kyle Schmid (Torrance, Calif./South Torrance HS), Spencer Schmidt (Abbotsford, B.C./W.J. Mouat Secondary HS) and Adam West (Gig Harbor/Bellarmine Prep). "This 2004 class is without a doubt, one of the top recruiting classes I have had here in my 12 years," Wurzberger said. "This group of talented recruits has both quality and depth. I can't tell you how excited we are about what these players can bring to a very strong returning team. Husky soccer will be a force to reckon with next fall. "With Ely Allen, Bret Hite and Spencer Schmidt, we believe we have really added what our returning team needs the most - a potent 'strike force.' In Keith Cain, Cameron Copps-Tilley, Jordan Jennings, Kyle Schmid and Adam West we have added great strength and depth to our defense. Eric Blythe and Nick Loveless give us two quality midfield players who look ready to contribute to the team immediately." Allen, a three-time first-team South Puget Sound League selection, was named first-team all-state as a junior last year, while also earning Seattle PI Prep All-Star and Tacoma News Tribune Player of the Year accolades. Allen led his prep team to top-eight state finishes in two of three seasons and was named one of the Top-10 recruits in the state for 2004 by the Seattle Times. As a freshman, Hite was the leading goal scorer in the Greater Spokane League and last year was second in scoring, while garnering two first-team All-GSL honors as a freshman and junior. Both Allen and Hite were members of Washington's Olympic Development team. Schmidt hails from Canada and in 2001 was named Abbotsford Male Player of the Year and the British Columbia Soccer Athlete of the Year. He led his club team to first place finishes at Provincial Team Nationals (2001), Club Nationals (2003) and Club Provincials (2003). Looking to shore up the defense will be Copps-Tilley, a goalkeeper who was a two-time team MVP and as junior was first-team All-Greater St. Helens League and Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a member of the 2001-02 Washington state ODP team and the 2001 Region IV ODP pool. Jennings, also a goalkeeper, is a two-time first-team All-Narrows League selection and a member of the Washington state ODP in 2002. He played six years for F.C. United, earning MVP honors and leading the team to the Tampa Bay Sun Bowl title in 2001. Schmid, the only Californian of the group and son of Sigi Schmid - head coach of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy - earned first-team all-league, second-team All-CIF and Best Defensive Players honors last year as a junior. Schmid is also a standout kicker in football, earning first-team all-league honors as a kicker and named special teams Player of the Year. West, also a standout defender, is a four-time member of the Washington state ODP team and a three-time team captain. He played under current assistant coach Seth Spidahl with the FC United, while most recently playing the last two years with the Emerald City Under-18 and Under-17 teams. West is also a two-time all-league selection, despite playing half of his junior year due to injury. Cain is a four-year starter at Central Kitsap High School, and has played with the FC United Under-18 team for three years. He was also a starter and four-year member of the '86 Washington state ODP team for four years. The two midfielders of the 2004 recruiting class are Blythe and Loveless. Blythe, a standout from Stillwater, Minn., is a three-time all-conference selection, while also earning all-state and all-region honors as a senior. Blythe is a two-time NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American. He played four years with the USYSA Region II ODP team and five for the Minnesota state ODP team. He led his St. Croix Tsunami club team to five-straight state titles. A local product from Inglemoor High School, Loveless led his squad to a fifth place finish at state last year, earning All-Kingco first-team and All-Eastside first-team honors along the way. He has played two years for the '85 Washington state ODP team and seven years for FC Alliance Parma.
2004 MEN'S SOCCER SIGNEE BIOS
ELY ALLEN CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year letter winner and co-captain his junior year...in 2003 led team to 8th place finish in state...was named Athlete of the Week by South County Journal...1st team SPSL North by South County Journal...Named MVP of SPSL North by South County Journal...1st team all-state...Was a Seattle Post-Intelligencer Prep All-Star...Tacoma News Tribune Player of the Year...Named MVP at Kentridge High School...in 2002 team finished top 16 in state...was 1st team SPSL North...in 2001 his team finished 4th in state...was named Athlete of the Week by South County Journal...1st team SPSL North...three times named as the Best Team Offense...played four years in the Nomads Tournament in San Diego with Ajax and Emerald City...won the Tampa Bay Sun Bowl with Emerald City in Tampa, Florida in 2002...in 2003 he won state at Snickers Tourney with Emerald City...received MVP award at Tampa Bay Sun Bowl...In 2003 received the Golden Boot Award with Emerald City. PERSONAL: Ely James Allen...born June 12, 1986 in Anchorage, Alaska...son of Shelley and Tim Allen...one brother, Willy (20)... interests include basketball, music, and clothes...considering a profession in pharmaceuticals...also recruited by Oregon State, St. John's and Santa Clara. WURZBERGER ON ALLEN: "Ely is a quality attacking player with smooth technique and a great left foot. We believe he can help us score goals right away. Ely has all the qualities to make an immediate impact upon the team."
ERIC BLYTHE CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letter winner at Stillwater...led team to 1st place finish in league four straight years...his senior year he was selected as all-conference, all-state and all region player...was named all-state player of the game in the Senior Classic...junior and sophomore all-conference player... as a freshman received all-conference Honorable Mention...played with the St. Croix Soccer Club for the past seven years and won the State Cup Championship for the past five years in a row...played for the Minnesota State Olympic Development Project team (86)...played for the USYSA Region II Olympic Development Project team (86)...has played in tournaments in Costa Rica 2002, Italy 2003, and Brazil 2004. PERSONAL: Eric Schindler Blythe...born July 16, 1986 in Madison, Wisconsin...son of Cheryl and Stephen Blythe...mother is a school nurse and father is a physician...enjoys computer gaming and snowboarding...has shaken hands with Pelé and Muhamed Ali. WURZBERGER ON BLYTHE: "With Eric's extensive ODP experience we already know he can play at the next level. He gives us another quality left-sided player who can play in both midfield and in the back. Based upon what we've seen, Eric will challenge for playing time right away."
KEITH CAIN CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year starter for FC United Under-18 team...also a starter and four-year member of the '86 Washington state ODP team for four years...four-year starter at Central Kitsap High Schoo.. PERSONAL: Keith Garrett Cain...born January 29, 1986 in Bremerton, Wash... son of Kim and Marc Cain...father serves in the United States Navy...played club soccer with fellow UW freshman Cameron Copps-Tilley...plans to major in business...interests include snowboarding, surfing and guitar...also recruited by Kentucky, Cal-Sate Riverside, and Oakland University. WURZBERGER ON CAIN: A big, athletic player with lots of potential as a centerback. With dedicated work and perseverance, Keith could become a great collegiate defender."
CAMERON COPPS-TILLEY CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Two-year letter winner at Fort Vancouver High School...two year team captain...made 1st team all-league his junior season...named Defensive Player of the Year by The Columbian...as a junior placed on the all-region 1st team...was named team MVP after his junior and sophomore seasons...was named 2nd team All-League in 2002...member of the FC United and played in the Surf Cup in San Diego...member of the Columbia Timbers for two years in high school PERSONAL: Cameron James Copps-Tilley...born February 12, 1986 in Miami, Florida...son of Katherine and George Carlson...mother is a retired hotel executive and father is a wildlife biologist/ecologist...enjoys snowboarding, rock climbing and music...played club soccer with fellow UW teammates Ketih Cain, Ely Allen, Adam West, and Brett Hite...member of National Honor Society...competed in varsity mock trial... also recruited by Seattle Pacific, Western Washington, and St. Mary's. WURZBERGER ON COPPS-TILLEY: "A very talented young goalkeeper that looks ready to play at the D-I college level. Cameron's technique, size and movement will add great depth to our goalkeeping position."
BRETT HITE CLUB/ HIGH SCHOOL: Second in scoring in the Greater Spokane League and was first-team all-GSL his junior year...his sophomore year was selected to the all-GSL second-team... leading goal scorer in GSL his freshman year...played for three different club teams, the SIFC, Spokane Falcons and the Steelers all three in the city of Spokane...went to the semi finals of the State Cup in 2001...was a two year member of the Washington State Olympic Development Program team...three year member of Region IV Olympic Development Program team...2003 NSCAA Youth All-American. PERSONAL: Brett Anekelea Hite...born March 3, 1986 in Spokane, Wash...son of Pam Crowley...has one brother Ryan and four step-brothers, Jake Crowley, Kyle Walters, Tyler Walters and Trevor Walters...interests include guitar, wakeboarding and snowboarding...also recruited by Santa Clara, Creighton, Wake Forest and Northern Illinois. WURZBERGER ON HITE: "In Brett we are getting a big, powerful, athletic forward who can 'mix it up' with the best of defenders. Brett has the ability to start fast with our program. If we can add some 'polish' to his finishing skills, he will get us some very important goals next fall."
JORDAN JENNINGS CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Four-time letter winner...two-time team captain...1st team All-Narrows League his sophomore and junior seasons...played six years for F.C. United in Tacoma, Wash...competed in the San Diego Surf Cup in 2003...team finished 2nd in the Tampa Bay Sun Bowl in Tampa, Florida and went to the semi-finals of the San Diego Surf Cup in 2002...team won the Tampa Bay Sun Bowl in 2001 and was voted MVP of the tournament...was invited to the Region IV ODP camp but was injured during at the camp. PERSONAL: Jordan Michael Jennings...born April 13, 1985 in Tacoma, Wash....son of Nancy and Michael Jennings... father is a physical therapist who played soccer for Azusa Pacific Univ. and Athletes in Action ...has a twin brother, Trevor (18) and one sister, Chelsea (13)...Trevor plays soccer for University of Puget Sound...enjoys basketball, weightlifting and hanging out with friends...can slam dunk a basketball...also recruited by Notre Dame and UC-Riverside. WURZBERGER ON JENNINGS: "In Jordan we have another quality young goalkeeping prospect who looks ready to help our team right away. Great size and good decision making look to be some of Jordan's initial strengths. With Jordan and Cameron joining our program our goalkeeping looks solid for years to come."
NICK LOVELESS CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Named team MVP during junior year... was selected to 1st Team All-Kinco and 1st Team All-Eastside...led Inglemoor to 5th place finish in state tournament...played for FC Alliance Parma in Bothell, Wash for seven years...led team in scoring in the Nomads tournament in San Diego and played in the tournament three years in a row...in 2003 he competed in the Region IV Championships Olympic Development Program. PERSONAL: Nicholas Bryant Loveless...born November 9, 1985 in Totem Lake, Wash...son of Gail and Bryan Loveless... has one brother Kellen (15)... grandparents Rod and Barbara Loveless attended UW...enjoys basketball, snowboarding, reading and writing...contemplating a career in journalism...also recruited by Seattle Pacific, UC-Irvine, University of Puget Sound, Marshall, Linfield, and Air Force. WURZBERGER ON LOVELESS: "A great looking midfield prospect who reminds us of current Husky standout Jeff Hoover. Skill, movement and toughness is what I see in Nick. Nick also brings a great attitude that will carry him to a high level of success with our program."
KYLE SCHMID CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letter winner at South Torrance High School...led team to 1st place finish at Far West Regionals...was team captain junior and senior years...has played with South Bay Gunners, Palos Verdes Raiders and Irvine Strikers club teams...was a quarterfinalist at the 2001 Dallas Cup...led team to fourth place finish at National Championships in Germantown, Maryland...was named 1st team all league, 2nd team all CIF and best defensive player 2003 at South Torrance...played football 2003...was named 1st team all league kicker and Special Teams Player of the Year for football. PERSONAL: Kyle Stephen Schmid...born August 10, 1986 in Torrance, Calif....son of Kathy Valentine and Sigi Schmid...mother is a dental assistant and father is head coach of the MLS LA Galaxy...two older brothers, Erik, 24, Kurt, 21 and an older sister, Lacey, 22...enjoys being a DJ, body boarding, WURZBERGER ON SCHMID: "Kyle has had a lot of success at the youth and high school level and we believe he has with it takes to step up and play well at the next level. We think our program will help to bring out the best in Kyle and I'm looking forward to working with him."
SPENCER SCHMIDT CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Played for Abbotsford Mariners Club Team...led team to 1st place finish at the Provincial Team Nationals and a 2nd place finish at Club Nationals in 2001...won at Club Provincials in 2003 and went on to win the Club Nationals championships with the Mariners...was named Abbotsford Male Player of the Year 2001...Received B.C. Soccer Athlete of the Year honors in 2001. PERSONAL: Spencer Schmidt...born on January 1, 1986 in Filadelfia, Paraguay...son of Cornelia and Elmer Schmidt...mother is a nurse's aid and father is a dry-waller...has younger brother, Bruce, 17 and younger sister, Sophie, 15...Sophie is currently playing with the Under-16 National Soccer Team. WURZBERGER ON SCHMIDT: "We are excited to see what Spencer can do in our team. He's physical, brave and has a nose for the goal. We think he will catch on fast with the college game and I predict he will cause some real problems for opposing defenses."
ADAM WEST CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year letter winner...two-time 1st Team All-League...Offensive MVP for Bellarmine Preparatory with 20 goals...team finished in top three in districts all three years...played for Emerald City for two years and FC United for three years...took 1st in the Tampa Sun Bowl in 2002...went to regionals in Hawaii in 2003...led his team to Nomads tournament in San Diego two years in a row...three-year member of Washington state Olympic Development Program team...was three-time team captain for the ODP state team. PERSONAL: Thomas Adam West...born May 7, 1986 in Tacoma, Wash... son of Nancy and Thomas West... mother is a debate coach and father is an attorney...father played basketball at Seattle University...has three older brothers Patrick, Andrew, and Kevin, and one older sister, Sarah... Patrick graduated from UW in 2001... enjoys playing many sports, including pool and water sports... also recruited by Seattle University, Gonzaga, Oregon State, and Seattle Pacific.
WURZBERGER ON WEST: "Great athleticism and another quality left-sided player. Adam could see time in midfield or the back. Adam also brings a competitive fire that should really accelerate his development. Adam has all the tools to be a great collegiate player."
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