DETROIT (5/22/2019) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team and head coach
Nicholas Deren '99 has officially announced the signing of nine student-athletes that all inked their National Letters of Intent (NLI) to play with the Titans. All nine student-athletes are set to join Detroit Mercy prior to the fall season, which begins in August 2019.
The nine set to join the men's soccer program are
Matthew Andres (Tecumseh, Ont. / St. Anne Catholic),
Rocco Galati (Macomb, Mich. / De La Salle Collegiate),
Michael Palushaj (Northville, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central),
Gabe Parra (Shelby Township, Mich. / Henry Ford II),
Moody Sharara (Dearborn Heights, Mich. / Crestwood),
Cam Simpson (Westland, Mich. / John Glenn),
Aidan Spratt (Jenison, Mich. / Jenison),
Liam Spratt (Jenison, Mich. / Jenison) and
Desmond Williams (Westerville, Ohio / Westerville South).
The class features seven players from inside the state of Michigan and one player each from Ontario and Ohio. It's the second-straight large class for Deren and the Titans after the red, white and blue had eight signings last year in 2018. The class features twins in the Spratt brothers and a lot of versatility. Take a look at the signings:
Matthew Andres
Position: Forward
Hometown: Tecumseh, Ont.
High School: St. Anne Catholic HS
Accolades: Has played high school soccer with the Saints and coach Angelo Geremia ... His club soccer experience includes six years with Waza FC / Nationals, where he was part of a national championship team as well as a State Cup title team ... Lists winning the US youth national championship as his greatest thrill in sports.
Deren on Andres: "He is your typical target center forward. Big, strong, great feet, and very good with back-to-goal play. He will bring more players into the attack which in turn will give us more of an offensive punch. He also a very accomplished goal scorer. I am very excited to work with him."
Rocco Galati
Position: Forward
Hometown: Macomb, Mich.
High School: De La Salle Collegiate
Accolades: Lettered one season (2019) playing for the Pilots and coach Thaier Mukhtar after spending three seasons playing with the Vardar Academy squad (2016-18) ... Selected to 2018 Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MIHSSCA) Dream Team, just one of 11 players across state ... Named First Team All-State, All-Region, All-District as well as MVP of De La Salle soccer team ... Helped Pilots to Division 1 regional championship, state semifinal appearance and 19-4-4 record, scoring game-winning goal in OT of regional title game ... Had 13 goals and nine assists as a senior ... Nominated for Metro Detroit soccer player of the year ... Was a State Cup champion with F.C. Nova in 2015 ... Also has played club soccer with Nationals.
Deren on Galati: "Rocco is a competitor. Plain and simple he loves to win and will do whatever it takes to do that. Rocco will make an immediate impact in our front line as he can get in behind with his pace and intelligence. He is also a prolific dribbler and goal scorer! Anytime he is around the ball good things are going to happen."
Michael Palushaj
Position: Defender
Hometown: Northville, Mich.
High School: Detroit Catholic Central
Accolades: A two-time letterwinner for the Shamrocks and coach Gene Pulice, helping team to two Catholic League championships (2017-18) and the 2017 state championship in Division 1 ... Was two-time All-District and All-League along with being a team captain as a senior ... Totaled four goals and two assists as a senior ... Has played club soccer with Waza FC (five years) and Jaguars FC (four years), reaching State Cup semifinals two times and quarterfinals on four occassions ... Joins several current Titans who played at Detroit Catholic Central, including
Ryan Pierson and
Joel VanHook ... Relative of Aaron Palushaj, former All-American hockey standout at the University of Michigan and player in the NHL.
Deren on Palushaj: "Every time I watch Michael play he looks better and better. Michael has a presence on the soccer field. He is a big, strong defender who can play as a defensive center midfielder as well. He has great feet to get out of tight situations and an extensive passing range. He is a true aerial threat on set pieces as his 6-foot-3 height and timing of the ball are major advantages."
Gabe Parra
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Shelby Township, Mich.
High School: Henry Ford II
Accolades: Lettered all four years for the Falcons and coach Chris Alston ... Helped team to MAC Red titles in three seasons and district titles during his freshman and senior years ... Has played club soccer with Nationals Union for 12 years, helping squad to a State Cup championship ... His sister, Olivia, currently plays for the Detroit Mercy women's soccer team, while his brother, Alejandro, played with Michigan-Dearborn.
Deren on Parra: "Gabe can play a variety of positions. For us we will be looking for him to play in the middle of midfield as more of a box-to-box player. Technically, he's very good on the ball and has tremendous passing range. He can also shoot from distance with great accuracy and power. Gabe brings a defensive tenacity component which is extremely important in the middle of midfield in the college game especially in the Horizon League."
Moody Sharara
Position: Forward
Hometown: Dearborn Heights, Mich.
High School: Crestwood
Accolades: Lettered in all four seasons with the Chargers and coach Mike Haidar ... A varsity captain and second student-athlete in school history to sign with a Division I men's soccer program ... Went to ECNL National playoffs with Vardar Academy in 2017-18 season ... Has played club soccer with Vardar for two years ... Totaled 12 goals and 10 assists in high school ... Part of National Honors Society for three years, while also earning School Service Award and Election Award.
Deren on Sharara: "Moody is your prototypical modern winger. He is quick, very good on the ball, and likes to dribble at opponents. He is also very good at reading the game and combining when needed. He can cut inside or go down the line. He will get crosses in and shots on goal. He will add depth to our wing position."
Cam Simpson
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Westland, Mich.
High School: John Glenn
Accolades: A three-year letterwinner for the Rockets, also lettering once in football as the kicker during sophomore season ... Three-time All-Conference and was a varsity captain as a senior ... Holds single-season record for most goals in school history, totaling 17 goals during senior year, to go along with 10 assists ... Has played club soccer with several teams including Vardar South, Waza FC, Michigan Wolves, Vardar Academy, Nationals and Michigan Jags, winning a national championship in 2014 as well as a State Cup title twice ... His brother, Tyler, played soccer for Concordia-Ann Arbor.
Deren on Simpson: "Cameron has a track record of success in the club game. With success coming mostly at attacking center-midfield, I see him moving into a number-eight role for our team with the ability to get forward and add offensive punch. He is a fantastic addition to our team as he brings depth to our midfield."
Aidan Spratt
Position: Defender
Hometown: Jenison, Mich.
High School: Jenison
Accolades: Lettered in three years on varsity for the Wildcats and coach Joe Broekhuizen ... Was two-time All-Conference and All-District and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2018 ... Helped Jenison to conference title in 2016 ... Totaled two goals and nine assists in 12 league games as a senior ... Played club soccer for three years each with Midwest United FC and Michigan Fire Juniors, helping teams to State Cup finalist appearance in 2014 and Circle City championship ... His older brother, Thomas, played soccer at Davenport and Aquinas and his twin brother, Liam, joins him with the Titans.
Deren on Spratt: "Aidan will add some grit and toughness to our wide back position. He has tremendous pace and intelligence for the game. Aidan can get forward and deliver a variety of textured crosses in the box. As Aidan develops he might end up potentially in a defensive center-midfield role."
Liam Spratt
Position: Midfield/Forward
Hometown: Jenison, Mich.
High School: Jenison
Accolades: A three-year letterwinner for the Wildcats and coach Joe Broekhuizen ... Named All-Conference as a senior as well as Athlete of the Month in September 2018, also helping Jenison to conference title in 2016 ... Totaled five goals and six assists as a senior ... Played club soccer for three years each with Midwest United FC and Michigan Fire Juniors, helping teams to State Cup finalist appearance in 2014 and Circle City championship ... His older brother, Thomas, played soccer at Davenport and Aquinas and his twin brother, Aidan, joins him with the Titans.
Deren on Spratt: "Liam is a very productive wide player. He is a tremendous 1-v-1 attacker as he can dribble opponents. Every time I see him play he is a constant threat to the opponent's defensive set-up as he knows what runs to make and when."
Desmond Williams
Position: Defender
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
High School: Westerville South
Accolades: Lettered in three seasons for the Wildcats and coach Wynleux Henderson ... Three-time All-Conference player, including Second Team as a junior and First Team as a senior and was also Second Team All-District as a senior and Team MVP ... Helped team to district championship in 2017 and earned Thompson Sunnyway award for perseverance and commitment ... Totaled nine goals and 10 assists in high school, starting 51 of 53 games across three years ... Played club soccer with Blast FC (eight years) and Club Ohio (two years) ... His sister, Merlene, played soccer at Wright State.
Deren on Williams: "Desmond has a big time presence on the soccer field. He stands at 6-foot-4 with the game to match his stature. Desmond has been playing a variety of positions on his club and high school teams and that versatility will help him become an immediate impact player for Detroit Mercy. Although he looks most comfortable in the back line as he is a tremendous ball winner and 1-v-1 defender, he can get forward and threaten the opponents offensively at will."
The Titans enter their 10th season under head coach
Nicholas Deren '99 in 2019 and brings back the bulk of their roster from last season. Detroit Mercy loses just two seniors and one starter from last year's squad. The red, white and blue opens its 33rd as a program in August.
