ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men's soccer head coach Trevor Gorman has announced the addition of 15 players ahead of the fall '21 season.

"We are looking forward to welcoming these student-athletes to UAlbany," said Gorman.  "It's a large class that fills a number of different roles up and down our team.  We're confident that each player fits the profile of the kind of player, student, and person to uphold the standards of our program.  Our entire coaching staff worked extremely hard to put this group together in the most unusual of recruiting years and we look forward to seeing their potential impact on UAlbany soccer throughout their careers."

Jay Alves: DEF | 6'1 | 175lbs. | Centereach, N.Y. (Newfield High School)

Quick Facts: Alves comes to UAlbany following a decorated career on Long Island where he's been an All-State, All-Region, All-League, and All-County selection. He has competed for the Brentwood Soccer Club and the Barca (N.Y.) Academy.

Gorman on Alves: "Jay is a strong, tough, player who's also very comfortable on the ball. He understands the game well and has the ability to contribute in the back or in the midfield."

Parker Christina: ATT | 5'10 | 145lbs. | Greensboro, N.C. (Darlington School)

Quick Facts: Christina joins the Great Danes after a career with the Darlington Soccer Academy and NC Fusion. He led Darlington in assists in the 2019-2020 season.

Gorman on Christina: "Parker is a player who is good on the ball in tight spaces. He has good balance, feels pressure coming, and is always intelligent in his movement. He will be a nice addition to our attacking group."

Saad Faiz: ATT | 5'10 | 155lbs. | Casablanca, Morocco (Kentucky)

Quick Facts: Faiz transfers to UAlbany from Kentucky after spending last season with the Wildcats.

Gorman on Faiz: "Saad is an exciting attacking player who adds creative options to our team. He combines well with others and can unbalance opponents with his movement on and off the ball."

Vinicius Gianniaccini: ATT | 5'10 | 155lbs. | Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil (Brevard College)

Quick Facts: Gianniaccini spent two seasons at Brevard College where he was the conference Rookie of the Year in 2019 as well as being named 1^st Team All-Conference last season as he helped his team to the conference championship.

Gorman on Gianniaccini: "Vini is an attacking wide player capable of taking players on and creating chances. He will look to add that element to our attacking options."

Alejandro Giner: MID | 5'8 | 155lbs. | Villena, Spain (Marshall)

Quick Facts: Giner spent the 2020-21 year a member of Marshall's national championship squad. Prior to Marshall, Giner played for the South Kent School where he won the 2019 Prep School National Championship.

Gorman on Giner: "Ale has been a part of successful, championship, programs wherever he's been. He's a technical midfield player who can play a number of roles in a team & will certainly add to the competition in our squad."

Gustavo Iasi: MID | 5'11 | 165lbs. | Sao Paulo, Brazil (South Kent)

Quick Facts: Iasi joins former teammate Alejandro Giner as a 2019 Prep School National Champion with South Kent. He also competed for the Black Rock club.

Gorman on Iasil: "Gustavo is midfield player with good potential. He's confident with the ball, technical under pressure, and comes from a good environment. We're looking forward to see how he develops in our program."

Brandon Knapp: MID | 5'5 | 155lbs. | Deer Park, N.Y. (Deer Park High School)

Quick Facts: Knapp joins the Great Danes after a stellar youth career with Deer Park HS and the Lake Grove Dynamite club team.

Gorman on Knapp: "Brandon is player who's always on the move. He's constantly adjusting and thinking about the next play. He's a player who can be used in multiple roles and will only get better with experience."

Giuliano Lucca: ATT | 5'8 | 165lbs. | Buenos Aires, Argentina

Quick Facts: Lucca becomes the first Argentinean to join the Great Danes. He competed as a youth for Club Atletico River Plate.

Gorman on Lucca: "Giuliano is a creative player who can play in the midfield or attack. He will add a threat in the final third."

Pantelis Panteli: MID | 6'0 | 165lbs. | Limassol, Cyprus (Francis Marion)

Quick Facts: Panteli spent two seasons at Francis Marion University where he won a conference championship in 2019. Prior to Francis Marion, he was a member of u17, u19, and u21 Cypriot National Teams.

Gorman on Panteli: "Pantelis is a midfield player who can go box to box and impact the game with and without the ball. He's had good experiences in his career and we're confident that will translate well here at UAlbany."

Ricardo Rego: MID | 6'0 | 175lbs. | Recife, Brazil (Montverde Academy)

Quick Facts: Rego spent two seasons at Montverde Academy in Florida. Prior to that, he was member of Sport Recife where he participated in both the Brazilian state and futsal leagues.

Gorman on Rego: "Ricardo is a central midfielder very good at connecting passes and switching play. He is coming from a good environment at Montverde and we are looking forward to his development continuing here."

Neophytos Scottis: DEF | 6'1 | 175lbs. | Nicosia, Cyprus (Wingate)

Quick Facts: Before coming to UAlbany Scottis competed at Wigate University, winning the 2019 conference championship and advancing to the national tournament.

Gorman on Scottis: "Scottis is a strong, tough, no-nonsense defender. He's a player who loves to defend and to compete. His qualities will make us better defensively and help players around him."

Daniel Shannon: GK | 6'2 | 180lbs | New York, N.Y. (Millennium High School)

Quick Facts: Shannon arrives at UAlbany after competing for PDA Soccer Club and Manhattan Soccer Club.

Gorman on Shannon: "Daniel is a talented, young, goalkeeper with a lot of upside. He's an athletic shot stopper and has been in excellent environments to develop all aspects of his game. He will join a strong goalkeeping unit here and benefit from that experience."
 
Lucas Watt: DEF | 5'9 | 165lbs | Kuujjuuaq, Quebec, Canada (Montverde Academy)

Quick Facts: Watt played one season for Montverde/SIMA Academy in Orlando. Previously, he was a member of AS Blainville and represented Team Quebec at multiple age groups.

Gorman on Watt: "Lucas is an instinctive, assertive, player with great experience as a defender and in the midfield. He reads the game well and has a great influence on the players around him."

Shafique Wilson: GK | 6'5 | 195lbs | Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada (Florida Atlantic University)

Quick Facts: Wilson transfers to UAlbany after spending one season at Florida Atlantic. Prior to college, he was a member of Woodbridge SC where he was the U21 Provincial Elite GK of the year.

Gorman on Wilson: "Shaf is an athletic goalkeeper with a big presence in the net. He comes from a great background and brings experience with him as an older goalkeeper. We look forward to adding him to our goalkeeping corps."

Joao Zalfa: MID | 5'9 | 160lbs | Rio de Jainero, Brazil

Quick Facts: Zalfa was a member of the Flamengo and Botafogo youth academies in Brazil.

Gorman on Zalfa: "Joao is a strong midfielder with good technique and ability running with the ball. He will be capable of playing a number of roles this fall."