ST. LOUIS, MO. – University of Missouri-St. Louis head men's soccer coach Dan King has announced the signing of DJ Bednar (Hartford, Wis.), Evan Garrad (Springfield, Mo.), Blake Herman (Quincy, Ill.), Jonathan Huelsman (Waterloo, Ill.) and Bronson Melvin (Quincy, Ill.) to national letters of intent to join the Tritons program beginning with the 2013-14 academic year.
 
“We are excited about all five of these student-athletes joining our program,” said King. “We believe they will make an immediate contribution.”
 
Bednar was a four-year letterwinner at Hartford Union High School. As a senior he was named the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference Player of the Year after recording 20 goals and 12 assists. He also earned honorable mention all-state honors and was named the All-Area Player of the Year. Bednar earned second team all-conference honors as a junior and was twice named to the Daily News All-Area Team. He helped his team to state as a freshman and finished his career with 43 goals and 22 assists.
 
Bednar plays club for the Milwaukee Bavarians.
 
“DJ is a good attacking player who has great instincts near the goal and has the ability to make big plays,” said King.
 
Garrad prepped at Glendale High School where he was a four-year letterwinner. He graduates ranking eighth all-time in assists and as a senior earned first team all-district, all-conference and all-region honors. He helped his team to two district championships and is also a two-time second team all-district honoree. Additionally, he was named to the All-Ozark Honorable Mention Team twice.
 
Garrad plays club for the Springfield Soccer Club. He competed in the National Premier League this year. His other club team accomplishments include: Missouri state champions (2011), Region II semifinalists (2011), Missouri state semifinalist (2010, 2012), Midwest Regional League-Premier Division (fourth place in 2011 and 2012), FC Dallas Showcase champions (2012) and Midwest Regional League First Division champions (2010). 
 
“Evan is an intelligent player who knows when to move forward or when to keep the ball,” King said. “Overall, he is a well-rounded player and can acquire points both in scoring and assisting.”
 
Herman prepped at Quincy High School where he scored 58 career goals, which ranks third in school history, and recorded 26 career assists. A two-time all-conference selection, he earned all-state honors as a senior and all-sectional accolades as a junior. Herman also participated in the 2012 NSCAA High School All-American Game.
 
“Blake is a very athletic, quick attacking player who can break down the defense with his dribble,” King said. “He has the ability to score in a variety of different situations.”
 
Huelsman comes to UMSL from Southwestern Illinois Community College, where he played one season. He scored 10 goals and recorded six assists en route to earning all-region honors.
 
Huelsman prepped at Waterloo High School, where he earned all-state honors as a senior after setting a school record with 35 goals. He also tallied 11 assists and was selected as team MVP and earned St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Week honors. As a junior, he recorded 15 goals and 16 assists and earned all-sectional honors.
 
“Jonathan is a solid two-way and well-rounded player,” said King. “He has the ability to hit a sharp pass and can score goals from a distance.”
 
Melvin also prepped at Quincy High School, where he scored 40 career goals, which ranks sixth in school history, and recorded 15 career assists. As a senior, he served as his team's captain and was an All-Western Big Six Conference and all-sectional honoree. Melvin also graduates as the all-time leader in games played with 90.
 
“Bronson is very good on the ball and is another solid two-way player,” said King. “He is also the type of player that does all the little things that coaches like.”