 February 25, 2010ST. LOUIS, MO. – University of Missouri-St. Louis head men’s soccer coach Dan King has announced the signing of Robbie Baird, Dennis Bayens, Chad Haymart, Doug Ruzicka, Almin Sabotic, David Schwer and Gino Valenti to national letters of intent to join the Tritons program beginning with the 2010-11 academic year.
“I am very excited about this group of individuals that we have signed and about bringing them to UMSL,” said King. “They all represent what our coaching staff likes in a student-athlete and they all have the skills and talent to help take us to the next level in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.”
Baird prepped at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo., earning first team Missouri Class 3, all-district 9 and all-region honors as a senior. The midfielder also served as his team’s captain and was named MVP of the Columbia Pride Soccer Club.
“Robbie is a technically sound player,” said King. “He is also a hard worker who has the ability to play up front or in the midfield.”
Bayens prepped at Rockwood Summit High School in Eureka, Mo., where he earned first team all-conference accolades and was team MVP two years.
“Dennis is a quick wing midfielder who has the ability to score goals,” King said.
Haymart earned first team all-district honors as a senior at Jefferson City High School in Columbia, Mo. The defender also picked up second team all-district honors as a junior and was team captain as a senior.
“Chad is a tall player who is good on the ball,” said King. “He is very sound defensively and will help us in the back field.”
A four-year starter for Parkway North High School in St. Louis, Mo., Ruzicka was a two-time team captain and a two-time team MVP. The defender/midfielder also earned first team all-conference honors as a senior.
“Doug is an intelligent player who is good both offensively and defensively,” said King. “His versatility will help us as he can play at either the defender or midfielder positions.”
Sabotic is a transfer from Meramec Community College where he earned Region 16 Player of the Year honors and was a second team all-American selection. The midfielder also garnered all-conference accolades after scoring 15 goals and recording 10 assists last season. As a freshman at Meramec, he tallied 13 goals and four assists.
As a prep at Mehlville High School in St. Louis, Mo., Sabotic was an all-conference and all-state honoree.
“Almin is a player that has all the tools to be a great player for us,” said King. “We expect him to step in right away and help us achieve our goals.”
Schwer and Valenti are both transfers from Lewis and Clark Community College. Schwer, who prepped at Fort Zumwalt High School in O’Fallon, Mo., was named a second team all-America pick as a freshman and was also selected Region 24 Player of the Year. He recorded 23 goals and 19 assists, finishing with 65 points. During his sophomore season, he recorded 10 goals and nine assists for 29 points.
As a high school senior, Schwer earned first team all-state honors and was an all-metro and all-midwest selection after scoring 31 goals and finishing with 16 points. A three-year letterwinner, Schwer graduated with 75 career goals and 41 career assists.
“David is a player that is very explosive on the ball,” said King. “He has great breakaway speed and can score goals in many different ways.”
Last season at Lewis and Clark, Valenti finished with four points, recording one goal and two assists as a defender.
As a prep at CBC High School in St. Louis, Mo., he was a member of the 2005 state championship team and earned second team all-conference honors as a junior. As a senior, he was selected to the all-star game.
“Gino is another intelligent player who is good on the ball,” said King. “We look for him to help solidify the backfield.”
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