PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania men's soccer program is set to unveil its incoming freshman Class of 2022, as announced by newly appointed James C. Gentle Head Coach Brian Gill. 

"Over this last year, Coach Fuller, Coach Lowry and myself gave a great deal of thought to our positional needs as well as the kind of student-athletes we were hoping to attract here to Penn," commented Gill. "We are very excited to see how this group of young men will grow in our environment and help to raise the standards being set by our returning players. This is a competitive and ambitious group of players that we feel lucky to have joining us and are looking forward to seeing what their impact will be on our program."

Ben Stitz | F
6'1 | 165 pounds
Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley/Baltimore Celtic SC
Before Penn: Three-year letterwinner at Archbishop Curley ... One year captain ... 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017 Maryland State Cup champion for club team, Baltimore Celtic SC ... 2015 and 2017 USYS Region 1 champion ... 2017 USYS U17 national champion ... United Soccer Coaches All-American, All-South and first-team All-State in 2017 ... Baltimore Sun All-Metro boys soccer Player of the Year ... United Soccer Coaches Maryland Player of the Year ... All-MIAA ... 2017 Top Drawer Soccer Bext XI selection ... Member of National Honor Society ... Member of Franciscan Scholars program ... Received first honors every quarter each year of high school ... Member of Franciscan Youth Ministry ... Served at Encounter the Gospel Service Camp ... Student ambassador. 
Personal: Son of Teresa and Barry Stitz ... Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Coach Gill on Stitz: "Ben hails from the same Baltimore Celtic club as current Quakers Erumuse Momoh and Gavin Barger as well as graduating senior Sam Wancowicz.  He is a dynamic attacking player that is comfortable playing in a number of spots up front.  He is equally adept at scoring goals as he is in setting them up. He has been instrumental in the success of his high school and club teams over the past few years and we expect that he will eventually do the same at Penn."
 
Fayez Merchant | D
6'1 | 160 pounds
Scarsdale, N.Y./Scarsdale/New York SC
Before Penn: Three-year letterwinner and two-year captain at Scarsdale ... Played club soccer for New York SC, serving as captain from 2014-16 and 2017-18 ... League champion in 2015 with Scarsdale ... Section semifinalist in 2015 and 2016 ... Two-time national champion with New York SC ... Three-time Disney Showcase winner ... Two-time Potomac Cup champion ... All-league from 2015-17 ... All-Section in 2015 and 2017 ... 2017 Lohud Elite 11 ... Student government representative ... Elected to Signifier academic honor society ... President of OneLife club, raising funds for brain cancer care.
Personal: Son of Mariam Ishaque and Amyn Merchant ... Brother, Reza, is nationally ranked cadet/junior fencer ... Enrolled in Wharton School of Business.
Coach Gill on Merchant: "Fayez is a left-footed defender that can play wide or centrally. He is a quality passer of the ball out of the back and organizes his teammate well. He hails from the New York Soccer Club and has been an important player for his club and high school teams. We believe his best days are ahead of him and are committed to helping him further his development in the years ahead."
 
Dane Jacomen | GK
6'3 | 180 pounds
Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice/Pittsburgh Online Academy/DC United
Before Penn: Three-year letterwinner at Taylor Allderdice before earning selection on DC United Academy ... Played club soccer for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC ... Added to U17 National Team pool in 2017 ... Participated in 2018 preseason camp with DC United first team ... Member of DC Generation Adidas Cup Team ... 2015 and 2016 WPIAL Class 4A Section champion ... 2015 first-team all-section ... 2016 first-team All-WPIAL ... Member of National Honor Society ... National Merit Commended Scholar ... Member of Ski Club and Model U.N.
Personal: Son of Sabrina Weihrauch and Robert Jacomen ... Father, Robert, played college soccer at Muhlenberg College ... Enrolled in College of Arts and Sciences. 
Coach Gill on Jacomen: "Dane has quietly become one of the stronger goalkeepers in this year's graduating class. He has quickly established himself within the DC United organization after coming up in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds club. He has a bright future ahead of him and we expect that he will play a significant role in our success in the years ahead."
 
Brendan Hanrahan | D
5'9 | 145 pounds
Wilmington, Del./YSC Academy/Philadelphia Union
Before Penn: High school letterwinner at both Tatnall School and Salesianum before entering YSC Academy ... Played club soccer with Penn Fusion ... Currently plays for Philadelphia Union Academy ... Two-year high school captain ... 2015 and 2016 State Division 1 champion with Salesianum ... Named all-state from 2014-16 ... Honor roll ... Volunteer at Mary Campbell Center 
Personal: Son of Joann and Tim Hanrahan ... Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Coach Gill on Hanrahan: "Brendan has a lot of potential as a right back and fits our system really well. He's good in 1v1 match-ups and loves to get forward on the flank. His time with Penn Fusion, and more recently the Philadelphia Union Academy, will prepare him well for the demands of our program."

Isaac McGinnis | M
5'10 | 145 pounds
Brighton, N.Y./Blue Valley West/Sporting Kansas City
Before Penn: Played club soccer at Empire United from 2008-16 before moving to Sporting Kansas City in 2017 ... Received multiple regional training center invitations ... Advanced to USSDA quarterfinals with Sporting KC.
Personal: Son of Kristin and Max McGinnis ... Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences. 
Coach Gill on McGinnis: "Isaac was on our radar very early in the process and we've enjoyed following his progress from Empire United to Sporting KC. He is a composed midfield player that passes very well. His experience with the Sporting KC Academy has helped him mature as a player and will set him up well for this next stage with our program."
 
David Philbin | D
6'0 | 183 pounds
Princeton Jct., N.J./West Windsor Plainsboro South/NY Red Bulls
Before Penn: Three-year varsity letterwinner at West Windsor Plainsboro South ... Played club soccer with Matchfit Academy, earning three New Jersey State championships, EDP league winners, and 2015 Disney Showcase winner ... New York Red Bulls team ranked No. 1 in 2017-18 ... Named 2015 first-team all-conference and third-team all-state ... Named 2016 first-team all-conference and second-team all-state ... Member of National Honor Society. 
Personal: Son of Suzanne and David Philbin ... Club teammate with fellow incoming freshman, Anthony Rovito ... Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Coach Gill on Philbin: "David is a big, strong central defender that came up through the Matchfit Academy and recently moved to the New York Red Bulls club.He is current teammates with fellow incoming Quaker Anthony Rovito. David has a lot of the qualities we look for in a centerback, and we feel he has the potential to become an important player for our program in the future."
 
Anthony Rovito | M
5'8 | 150 pounds
Somerset, N.J./Rutgers Preparatory School/NY Red Bulls
Before Penn: Played past two seasons for New York Red Bulls Academy ... Two-time team captain ... Appeared in 27 games in 2016-17, helping to lead his team to the academy playoffs ... Red Bulls ranked No. 1 in 2017-18 ... Member of several community service projects. 
Personal: Son of Tina and Rafael Rovito ... Club teammate with fellow incoming freshman, David Philbin ... Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences. 
Coach Gill on Rovito: "Anthony comes to us from the New York Red Bulls Academy and is a current teammate of fellow newcomer David Philbin. He has a great engine and is a tremendous competitor. We were drawn to the passion and energy he displays on the field and think that will have a positive impact on our team."
 
Spencer Higgins | F
6'1 | 165 pounds
Philadelphia, Pa./Episcopal Academy/FC Montco Die Mannschaft
Before Penn: Four-year letterwinner at Episcopal Academy ... Second-team All-Delco ... Second-team All-Mainline ... Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (Oct. 2, 2017) ... Episcopal Academy Class of 1999 Soccer Award winner.
Personal: Son of Peri and Steven Higgins ... Sister, Dylan, plays basketball at Cornell ... Mother, Peri, played volleyball at Harvard ... Enrolled in Wharton School of Business. 
Coach Gill on Higgins: "Spencer is a quality attacking player that will add some pace to our frontline. He made significant strides over the past year before suffering an injury midway through last season. We anticipate a full recovery and feel he will add a different dimension to our attacking group in the future."
 
Matt Leigh | F
6'0 | 165 pounds
Holliston, Mass./St. Mark's School/NEFC NPL
Before Penn: Four-year letterwinner at St. Mark's School ... Served as captain ... Earned 2016 National Premier League championship ... Earned 2017 National Premier League, National Cup XVI and Massachusetts State Cup championship ... 2017 Team MVP ... 2017 Independent School League (ISL) MVP, 2017 ISL Offensive Player of the Year ... Three-time all-league, two-time all-state and one-time all-New England ... ISL leading scorer in 2016 and 2017 ... Member of Student Activities Committee ... Peer discussion leader ... Boston Globe All-Scholastic ... Boston Herald All-Scholastic ... St. Mary's and St. Anne's Youth Group. 
Personal: Son of Mary Jane and Damien Leigh ... Enrolled in Wharton School of Business.
Coach Gill on Leigh: "Matt has all the qualities you would want in a frontrunner – pace, good size, and a hunger to score goals. We are excited to begin working with him and are confident that he will continue his development once he arrives on campus this fall."