DePaul University

CHICAGO – DePaul men's soccer coach Craig Blazer announced the signing of six players to a National Letter of Intent.  Eric Hermosillo, Jared Johnson, Alex Mangan, Joe Sondag, Steffen Vroom and Brent Zang will join the men's soccer program next fall.  The class consists of student-athletes from the Chicagoland area, St. Louis and Atlanta.

"This is a very experienced group of guys who have the talent, personalities and attributes to be successful DePaul student-athletes," said Blazer.  "Together with our current players, we are looking to make an immediate impact in our inaugural BIG EAST season."

Hermosillo is one of three Chicago Sun-Times first team All-State honorees in the signing class and was a standout at Marmion Academy in Aurora, Ill.  He was a three-time All-Conference honoree and picked up SCC Conference Player of the Year honors as a senior.  The four-year letterwinner was named on of the top 50 players in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune and also earned Academic All-Conference honors.

"Eric is comfortable on the ball," said Blazer.  "He is a versatile midfielder who will help provide creativity in our attack."

Johnson comes to Chicago from Atlanta where he was a member of Georgia's state ODP team for the last two years.  As a four-year letterwinner at McIntosh High School, he led his nationally-ranked team for four seasons.  On the club team circuit, Johnson played for one of the nation's top programs in AFC Lightning.

"Jared is a fast, savvy outside midfielder/defender," said Blazer.  "He is very quick on the ball and has confidence going forward."

Mangan is the second of three Illinois signees and played at Wheaton Warrenville South High School.  He picked up All-Conference, All-Sectional and All-Area honors while earning first team All-State mention from the Chicago Sun-Times.  Mangan also led his club team, the Chicago Sockers, to the U-17 Illinois state championship.

"We are looking for Alex to play a target forward," said Blazer.  "He is dominant in the air, and he has excellent abilities to hold the ball and create opportunities inside the penalty box."

The fourth member of the recruiting class is one of two incoming student-athletes from St. Louis.  Sondag was an All-State, All-Metro and All-Conference honoree for Chaminade Prep.  His club team, Scott Gallagher, won the 2004 Missouri state championship, regional championshp and was crowned national champions before defeating the U.S. U-17 National Team in December.

"Joe is a consistent, experienced, versatile midfielder," said Blazer.  "He also brings a tough attitude to the field and he will fit in nicely with our current group of student-athletes as we move into the BIG EAST Conference."

Vroom was a three-year varsity starter at Libertyville High School scored 12 goals during his senior season.  He was a two-time All-Area, All-Conference and All-Sectional honoree and was a first team All-Stater by the Chicago Sun-Times.  When not playing for Libertyville, Vroom played club soccer for FC United.

"Steffen's athleticism and intelligence will play a significant role in his abilities to attach out of the back," said Blazer.  "He is one of six players we have coming in that have us very excited about the future of DePaul soccer."

Zang is the second signee to make the short trip north from St. Louis.  He joins former high school teammates and current men's soccer players John Kornfeld and Patrick Ferrell this fall in Lincoln Park.  Zang is a two-time All-State and All-Metro honoree and won Missouri's 2003 state championship with Saint Louis University High School.  As a senior, he also picked up All-Midwest region honors.  At the club level, he played for nationally-known Busch Soccer Club and St. Louis Soccer Club.

"Brent is a talented, tactically aware defender," said Blazer.  "He will provide a strong presence and leadership qualities in the back for us next season."