The Hawks added six freshmen to the program and one senior transfer student-athlete from Regis (Colo.) University.
Quincy advanced to its second NCAA Tournament in three
seasons last year and finished with a 12-2-6 overall record and a 9-1-5
mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Hawks finished second in
the GLVC regular season standings.
Following are the bios for each of the seven student-athletes who will join the QU men's soccer program.
Xhovani Dokaj
Defender/Midfielder | St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers College Prep
Prior to Quincy: The Post-Dispatch All-Metro
Player of the Year, Dokaj was the stabilizing force as the Cadets came
on strong to capture the Missouri Class 3 soccer state championship this
past fall. He earned All-State, All-Metro and All-Midwest honors and
also competed in the High School All-American Game in Alabama. For CBC,
'X' spent time in a holding center midfield role, but truly excelled
anchoring the team's defense as a vocal center back.
Coach Carpenter's Comments: "X
possesses strong leadership qualities and sees the game extremely well.
Besides excelling as a center back for his high school and club teams,
he is capable of playing as a center midfield player and target striker.
His combination of versatility, soccer intelligence and natural
leadership abilities will make him an instant success at the college
level."
Nathan Dreyer
Defender/Midfielder | Quincy, Ill./Quincy Notre Dame
Prior to Quincy:
Dreyer was full-time starting defensive player in his junior and senior
seasons and was versatile enough to play up to five different midfield
and backfield positions during his high school career at Quincy Notre
Dame. He was a full-time starter on QND's 2011 Illinois Class 1A State
Championship team.
Coach Carpenter's Comments: "Nathan
is a very competitive individual and we aim to recruit that type of
soccer player. He is very good in 1v1 defensive situations and is a
natural leader. It is nice to have some local, Quincy talent on our
roster, especially ones that were good enough be state champions in high
school. I'm looking forward to coaching Nathan and helping him develop
from a good high school player to a good college soccer player."
Artan Emini
Forward | Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville
Prior to Quincy:
Emini is from Yorkville High School where he was an Illinois
all-sectional selection in 2012. He finished his senior season as his
team's top offensive player with 26 goals and 11 assists. Emini is a
right-footed striker who displayed natural leadership qualities as team
captain.
Coach Carpenter's Comments: "From
my first opportunity to see Artan play, I knew he could be a special
college player. He is a quality goal scorer with great feet and the
drive to compete at his very best every day. At Quincy, he will enjoy a
step up in his daily soccer training routine and get to develop through
playing with and against quality college soccer players daily. With his
skill set and excellent work ethic, he will enjoy a very good college
soccer career at Quincy University."
Nathan Griffin
Goalkeeper | St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers College Prep
Prior to Quincy:
Regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the Midwest, Griffin was an
All-State and All-Metro selection. He also was a key factor in helping
CBC capture the Missouri Class 3 Soccer State Championship. He finished
the 2012 season with 25 wins, 14 shutouts and a 0.50 goals-against
average.
Coach Carpenter's Comments: "Nate
is a very good shot-stopping goalkeeper with excellent distribution
skills. He is technically very sound and possesses great hands. I am
excited he accepted my invitation to become part of an exceptional
goalkeeping tradition at Quincy that dates back to the 1960s. I expect
him to have a fantastic college soccer career at Quincy University and
be a huge part of our future success."
Justin Ortinau
Midfielder | St. Louis, Mo./Bishop DuBourg/Regis (Colo.) University
Prior to Quincy:
Ortinau was a three-year starter at Regis University (NCAA Division II)
including on the 2012 team that finished 17-2-1 and earned a #1 ranking
NSCAA National Poll for much of the year (final ranking #7). In his
three years at Regis, Ortinau recorded eight goals and 18 assists for
the Rangers. Originally from St. Louis, Mo. and Bishop DuBourg High
School, he is primarily a center midfield player.
Coach Carpenter's Comments: "Justin
is a ball-winning center midfield player. He comes to Quincy as a
seasoned college soccer player and will make an instant impact in the QU
midfield. He possesses a unique balance of technical abilities, soccer
smarts and athleticism."
Jordan Stephens
Forward | St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell
Prior to Quincy: Stephens was a first team Missouri All-State selection and a St. Louis Post Dispatch
All-Metro selection from Francis Howell High School, which had one of
the top teams in the St. Louis area in 2012. Stephens came into his own
as one of the more productive players in the St. Louis area, coming up
with 26 goals and 15 assists this fall.
Coach Carpenter's Comments: "Jordan
is a natural goal scorer and possesses exceptional pace. He is will
give us instant depth in the striker position. I expect him to develop
quickly while enjoying quality training and getting to play along
quality college soccer players on a consistent basis. I'm excited about
how much unreached soccer potential Jordan still holds."
Michael Timmermann
Midfielder | St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell
Prior to Quincy:
Timmermann was a standout midfield player at Francis Howell High
School, scoring 10 goals and handing out 13 assists as the midfield
general for a high-powered Vikings attack that accounted for 101 goals.
He was a St. Louis Post Dispatch All-Metro second team selection and a Missouri All-State selection. He is a product of the Scott Gallagher Soccer Club.
Coach Carpenter's Comments: "Michael
is a dynamic midfield player who is capable of filling a few different
roles in our system. He enjoyed a good high school career at Francis
Howell High School, but he is extremely excited to move on to the
collegiate level. His positive attitude and competitive spirit will be
his greatest asset at Quincy University."
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