SPORTS

Composite photo from DavidsonWildcats.com

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson men’s soccer head coach Mike Babst recently announced the signing of seven scholar-athletes to the Wildcats’ 2022 recruiting class.

Comments from Coach Babst
“This class is full of players that have the ability to change the results of games. We want to play a brand of soccer that excites the Davidson campus and community, and these players have the ambition and ability to do just that. Nothing can change the mentality of a team more than the belief that the goals will come. In this class we have added an attacking group that will fuel that belief. In the midfield and backline we have added a group that has a great competitive mentality without the ball, and dynamic attacking abilities when we have it. And in goal we have a player in Jack who has the potential to be an elite goalkeeper. This is an incredibly exciting class, and one that we believe will leave its mark on Davidson soccer.” 

Alonzo Clarke
6-2, 175, Midfielder/Defender
Windsor, Conn. / Loomis Chaffee

Before Davidson: Three-year letterwinner for Coach David Malloy at Loomis Chaffee… Served as team captain of the 2021 squad… Helped the Pelicans to a 12-4-3 record and berth in the NEPSAC Class A semifinals in 2021… Netted two goals and a pair of assists as a senior. 

Jack Burden
6-5, 195, Goalkeeper
Orlando, Fla./William R. Boone

Before Davidson: Played for Coach Claude Davis at William R. Boone High and Joe Avallone of the Florida Kraze… Helped his club team to a Top-10 National Ranking in 2021… Captured Florida Conference title and berth in National Playoffs as starting keeper with the Kraze… Also lettered in basketball.

Piers Ringdahl
6-0, 170, Forward/Outside Midfielder
Watkinsville, Ga./Oconee County

Before Davidson: Played for US Development Academy as ninth grader… Three-year letterwinner for Christopher Romano at Oconee County High… Selected first-team all-region as a junior… Voted USA TodayAthens Area Player of the Year in 2021… Scored 40 career goals and set up 15 others through junior campaign… Helped Oconee to the 2021 Region 8-AAA Championship and berth in State Semifinals last season. 

Denis Krioutchenkov
6-0, 175, Forward
Milwaukee, Wisc./Shorewood

Before Davidson: Earned all-conference, all-region and all-state honors as a senior… Selected United Soccer Coaches All-American Fall of 2021… Also tabbed Woodland Conference Player of the Year… Led Shorewood High to the 2019 and 2021 Wisconsin D3 State Championship… Finished high school career with 116 goals and 35 assists… Set single-season record with 52 goals as a senior. 

Jackson Nabors
6-8, 180
Forward/Midfielder
Vestavia Hills, Ala./Indian Springs School

Before Davidson: 2021 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year… Selected to the United Coaches All-American Team as a senior… Also voted Shelby County Player of the Year and MVP of State Championship… Helped lead Indian Springs School to the 2021 Alabama 4A-5A State title… Two-time all-region and all-state selection.

Jack Brown
5-11, 160, Outside Midfielder
Peoria, Ariz./Brophy College Prep

Before Davidson: One-time team captain for Brophy College Prep… Selected honorable-mention all-state following sophomore campaign… Helped team to 2019-20 State Championship.

Baylen Young
5-11, 150, Midfielder
Tampa, Fla./Tampa Jesuit

Before Davidson: Four-year letterwinner… An all-academic, all-conference, all-area and all-state selection… ECNL First Team All-Conference Selection in 2020-2021… Voted Team Offensive Player of the Year in 2020… Led Tampa Jesuit to the 2019 Florida State crown… Also helped the Tigers to three straight District and Region titles… Entering senior season with 19 career goals and 38 assists. 

Davidson concluded the 2021 fall campaign 9-7-2 overall and 3-3-2 in Atlantic 10 play. The Wildcats also advanced to their fourth conference tournament since joining the league in 2014.