ITHACA, N.Y. — Men's soccer head coach John Smith and assistant coaches Drew Hutchins and Glen Buckley have announced the incoming class of 2021, with 13 student-athletes set to join the Big Red for the upcoming 2017 season. The group hails from seven different states and England and consists of two strikers, five defenders and six midfielders.
 
"This being our first class at Cornell it was especially important to bring in a group of student-athletes who will continue the tradition of Cornell Men's Soccer's recruitment of great young men," says Smith. "This group of guys embodies everything we look for in a soccer player—they are disciplined, hard-working and they all came here to be successful both on and off the field. Together, with a group of returners who are setting the bar higher on a daily basis, we are looking forward to bringing an exciting brand of soccer to our games this fall and for many years to come."
 
Cornell Class of 2021
Evan Austin – D – 5-10 – 160
Denver, Colo. (Denver School of the Arts/Colorado Rapids Academy)
Smith on Austin: Evan is a sharp, tenacious defender, whose strengths allow him to moonlight as both a full back and a central defender. He possesses great speed and toughness, and he uses these qualities to full effect when he defends 1-vs-1. Like others in his class, Evan falls into the category of being a defender who loves to defend.
 
Tyler Bagley – MF – 5-6 – 170
San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente HS/Irvine Strikers)
Smith on Bagley: Tyler is a very creative central midfielder. He is comfortable both sitting in and going forward and he is definitely someone I would classify as a points-getter. He, like some of his classmates, has a really good understanding of the game, and this quality often allows him to dictate the rhythm and pace at which the game is played.

Jack Barone – D – 6-2 – 165
La Jolla, Calif. (La Jolla HS/Albion Soccer Club)
Smith on Barone: Jack is an athletic central defender who is very good on the ball. As a defender, he is certainly someone who has confidence on the ball and this is very evident when you see his range of passing when he plays. His technical skills, along with his athleticism will make Jack an extremely versatile player at the college level.

Connor Bayne – MF – 5-10 – 162
Horseheads, N.Y. (Notre Dame HS/Greater Binghamton Football Club)
Smith on Bayne: Connor is a sharp central midfielder with the versatility to play in other positions. He likes to play vertically, and he also has a truly competitive nature which makes him tough to beat defensively.
 
Kepler Despinos – MF – 5-11 – 160
Mission Hills, Calif. (Granada Hills Charter HS/FC Golden State)
Smith on Despinos: Kepler is a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who can both score and create goals. He has a fantastic awareness when he plays and he couples this with a great understanding of the game. He is a central midfielder who can both defend and attack equally well.  He is an exciting addition to the squad.

Harry Fuller – MF – 5-10 – 168
London, England (Hampton School/England Independent Schools)
Smith on Fuller: Harry is very crafty on the ball. He has the ability to off-set his defender when he drives at them 1-vs-1, and he compliments this skill with an ability to both score and assist as his final product, which is exciting. Harry has pace both with and without the ball, and his qualities as a player could see him being quite versatile within the front six.

Tommy Hansan – MF – 6-1 – 180
Bethesda, Md. (The Potomac School/Bethesda Academy)
Smith on Hansan: For a tall central midfielder, Tommy has very good feet and he combines this with excellent vision. He is just as comfortable picking the ball up off the back four as he is driving forward and threading passes through to the strikers. If given the opportunity, Tommy can provide goals from midfield. He is also strong in the tackle and very good in the air.
 
Richie Hrncir – D – 5-9 – 160
Encino, Calif. (Harvard-Westlakte HS/Real So Cal)
Smith on Hrncir: Richie is a winner—he has a competitive drive which I love. When he plays he invariably marks the most dangerous striker, and they rarely leave the field feeling good about themselves. He is a rarity these days, in that he is a defender who loves to defend and has fantastic defensive instincts. He has pace, strength and can jump through the roof. 
 
Jacob LeMair – D – 6-1 – 175
Austin, Texas (Vandegrift HS/Club Team)
Smith on Lemair: Jacob is an athletic left full back. He combines a good range of passing with a strong commitment to get forward and contribute to the attack. He also takes pride in locking down his side defensively.
 
Vardhin Manoj – F/MF – 5-10 – 171
Encinitas, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS/San Diego Surf)
Smith on Manoj: Vardhin was a late addition to the class, and a very exciting one. I would classify him as a guy who could play as a striker and a winger. In either position, Vardhin has proven time and again that he knows where the goal is. The exciting thing about Vardhin is that he is not afraid to work hard—when you add that to his skill-set you have a dangerous attacking threat.
 
Caleb McAuslan – MF – 5-7 – 145
Everett, Wash. (Archbishop Murphy HS/Crossfire Academy)
Smith on McAuslan: Caleb is a flier. His pace makes him a genuine threat in behind defenses. He also has great 1 v 1 potential, which means he is also a threat attacking defenders from underneath. His skill-set could see him playing as an attacking central midfielder, and a withdrawn striker. That kind of versatility is exciting.
 
Murray Riach – D – 6-2 – 180
Weston, Conn. (Weston HS/Everton FC Westchester)
Smith on Riach: Murray is a very athletic central defender who would be equally comfortable playing as a left back. He has good pace and is comfortable in possession. He beats his opponents on the ground, in the air, and has the mobility to cover massive areas of the field. He definitely takes great pride in shutting down his opponent.
 
Charles Touche – F – 6-3 – 185
Albuquerque, N.M. (Albuquerque Academy/Rio Rapids Soccer Club)
Smith on Touche: Charles is a very gifted target forward. For a taller player, he possesses great feet and is extremely agile. He also has a very good knowledge of the game, which is reflected in his intelligent movement off the ball. Charles definitely has an eye for goal, and his desire to score linked in with his competitive nature will make him a real threat going forward.
 
Link to full 2017 roster.

The 2017 schedule will be released during the summer.