Men's Soccer 3/7/2013 3:30:00 PM

Men’s Soccer Announces 2013 Signing Class

ELON, N.C. – Elon head men’s soccer coach Darren Powell announced the additions of seven student-athletes that will join the two-time defending Southern Conference Tournament champions for 2013. The seven-member class of Taylor Adler (Greensboro, N.C./Page), Nathan Diehl (Birmingham, Ala./Mountain Brook), Alexander Kowalski (Concorde Fire/Ga.,), Alexander Ponvert (Bethesda, Md./The Field School), Will Smith (Christchurch, New Zealand/Laurel Springs), Gregory Sydor (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand) and Everett Webb IV (Cumming, Ga./Forsyth Central) will don the maroon and gold this fall.

Helped the Pirates win the state championship in 2009
Two-time all-conference performer
Played under Elon assistant coach Chris Little for the North Carolina Fusion club team
Was an A honor roll student all four years in high school

Personal: Son of Renaldo and Mark Adler…Favorite soccer team is Manchester City…Favorite soccer player is Mesut Ozil…Undecided on a major.

Why Taylor Chose Elon: “Elon is a great university with a strong soccer program and tradition. I am looking forward to next fall and am excited to be a part of the program.”

Powell on Adler

Spring transfer from North Carolina
Made the 2011 ESPN RISE All-American First Team
Named a four-star recruit and the fifth-ranked player in the South Region by Top Drawer Soccer
2011 NSCAA High School All American
Development Academy National Player of the Week
Played under head coach Oliver Weiss at Birmingham United States Soccer Academy

Personal: Son of Daniel and Lisa Diehl…Father played soccer at Lehigh University…Cousin Sarah Diehl attended Elon…Plans to major in history and English.

Powell on Diehl

2011 PVAC All Star
Helped The Field School reach the 2011 PVAC tournament semifinals
Played under head coach Steve Nichols for the club team, Baltimore Bays
Trained with Fluminense FC in Rio de Janeiro
Helped the Baltimore Bays reach the 2011 USSDA Playoffs

Personal: Son of Benny and Wendy Ponvert…Favorite soccer club is the Manchester United…Favorite soccer player is Robin Van Persie…Plans to major in liberal arts.

Why Alex chose Elon: “Elon is a great opportunity for me as an athlete, student and person. I look forward to competing at the highest level of college soccer while also having fun and being challenged on campus. I am looking forward to meeting new people and contributing to the success of our program.”

Powell on Ponvert

Part of the Asia Pacific Football Academy from 2010-13
Scored seven goals and had 15 assists in 12 games for Selwyn FC in 2011
Won the U-18 Elite Level Camarillo Showcase in California in 2010
Played for the Mainland Region team in 2006
Played under coach Giovani Fernandes for the Asia Pacific Academy

Personal: Son of Andrew and Jane Smith...Father played rugby at Cambridge University and soccer for the University of Manchester in England...Favorite soccer club is Manchester United...Favorite soccer player is David Beckham...Major is undecided.

Why William chose Elon: "I first visited Elon over four years ago and came away really impressed by the campus and the strong academic program. Since then I have followed Elon's soccer development and have met and been impressed with the coaching staff. I am most looking forward to joining a successful soccer squad, a great team of coaches and settling into academic life at Elon University."

Powell on Smith

Helped Daniel Hand reach the state semifinals in 2012 and was a two-time division champion
Earned All-State first team honors and was a two-time first-team all-conference selection
Played under head coach Bobby Humphrey at Beachside FC
Connecticut’s ODP starting keeper for the U17 team
South Central Premier starting GK U11-U17

Personal: Son of Greg and Marybeth Sydor...Has one sibling, Brielle, schedule to graduate in May from Elon...Favorite soccer club is Manchester City...Favorite soccer player is Joe Hart...Intends to major in business.

Why Greg chose Elon: "I decided to attend Elon because everything about the university is a great fit for me, especially the soccer program and business school. Along with the Elon experiences, this school offers so many opportunities to be successful both on the field and in the classroom. From my first visit, I was so impressed with Coach Powell, Coach Little and the team, I knew I wanted to be a part of and contribute to the growing reputation of Elon.

Powell on Sydor

2012 Region 7-4A and all-country first team performer
Set the school single-season record with 24 goals in 13 games
Started every game since his freshman year in high school
Played under Gregg Blasingame for the club team Concorde Fire
Led club team to a USDA U-18 Division Runner-Up in 2012 and the division championship in 2011

Personal: Son of Everett and and Dana Webb...Father played soccer at North Georgia College and State University...Favorite soccer club is the Manchester United...Favorite player is Zidane...Currently undecided on a major.

Why Everett chose Elon: "I decided to attend Elon because I feel the coaches and the program can take my soccer game to the next level. I also chose Elon for the academic degree that I'll earn.

Powell on Webb

Alex Kowalski | Midfielder | Concorde Fire

2012 USDA U18 Division Runner-Up
2011 USDA U16 Division Winners

Personal: Favorite soccer club is AC Milan...Favorite player is Andrea Pirlo...Intends to major in business.

Why Alex chose Elon: "My decision was based on being able to get a quality education, while playing at the highest level. I am looking forward to playing at home during a big game, in front of the home fans at Rudd Field."

Powell on Kowalski

--ELON--

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