CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Lesley University men's soccer team is compiling a strong recruiting class for the upcoming 2017-2018 academic year. Head Coach Jim Costa has released the names of the student-athletes who have committed to attend Lesley and compete for the program's second New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) title in 2017.

"We are very excited with our high-quality recruiting class for 2017," says men's soccer Head Coach Jim Costa.  "Our coaching staff has worked extremely hard this past recruiting cycle to bring in high character student-athletes that we believe will perform very well on and off the field and will represent Lesley University with pride and commitment for the next four years."

Here are some of the commitments the Lynx have received:

Armando Bahena Acevedo – Defense/Midfield (South Boston, Mass./The English High School)

Armando comes to Lesley as a talented center back and defensive midfielder from South Boston. While at English High School, he was named the Most Valuable Player in both soccer and track. In addition, he also was a solid student in the classroom earning an all SA Zone Scholarship.

Carter Bliss – Midfield (Granite Bay, Calif./Granite Bay)

Carter is a tremendous young athletic midfielder with exemplary leadership skills. As a sophomore, he was named team captain of the Granite Bay boys' soccer team. In addition, he also was a member of the Sacramento United Club Team where he led the team to the NorCal NPL Championship in 2016.

Anthony Farago – Midfield (Waltham, Mass./Waltham)

Anthony is an extremely talented attacking midfielder. After earning the Waltham High School Varsity Rookie of the Year Award in 2013, he was also a two-time recipient of Waltham's Varsity Unsung Hero Award in 2014 and 2016. In addition to playing for the Hawks, Anthony also was a member of the AC Arlington and Lincoln-Sudbury Nighthawks Club Team. Anthony excelled in the classroom as well as a member of the Waltham National Honor Society.

Ben Foglia – Midfield/Forward (Highland, N.Y./Highland)

Ben looks to provide the Lynx with strength up front. A three-year Varsity letter-winner while at Highland (N.Y.) he was named team captain as a senior and was selected to participated in the Section IX Outstanding Seniors Game. Additionally, Ben also excelled in the classroom as an honors student as well as a member of the National Honors Society.

A.J. Genova – Defense/Midfield (Ledyard, Conn./Ledyard)

A.J. is an extremely talented soccer player coming off an outstanding high school career at Ledyard (Conn.) High School. As a three-year Varsity starter, he was named to the All-Area Eastern Connecticut Conference First Team at midfield as well as was selected to the All-Area-New London Day Team as a defender during his senior season. During his junior year, A.J. was named All-Area Eastern Connecticut Honorable Mention as well as represented the school at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Leadership conference.   

David Orellana – Defense/Midfield (Chelsea, Mass./Northeast Metro Tech)

David will bring championship experience to the Lynx in 2017 after helping to guide Northeast Metro Tech to the Commonwealth League title as well as the State Vocational Championship. During his senior season, he was named team captain as well as earned the Coach's Award. In addition to playing high school soccer, David was also a member of the Valero FC Club Team.

Liam Perrine – Defense/Midfield (Pleasantville, N.Y.)

Liam comes to Lesley following a decorated high school career where he was a three-time Hudson Valley All-League selection in addition to a three-time All-Star. A comprehensive student-athlete, he also excelled in the classroom earning high honors while enrolling in four Advanced Placement courses. Outside of athletics and academics, Liam also served as community volunteer for youth groups and volunteered in the Pleasantville Community Garden.

Jack Wadleigh – Midfield (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury)

Jack is a tremendous athlete and comes from a high school program rich in championship experience. As an outside midfielder, he helped Glastonbury High School to back-to-back LL State Championships in 2014 and 2015. During his senior season in 2016, he was named team captain as well as was selected to Connecticut State Senior Bowl and earned academic all-conference honors. Away from the pitch, Jack was just as dedicated to his academics being selected to the Foreign Language Honor Society.