SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Head Coach Brad Campion and the Skidmore College men's soccer staff are excited to officially announce the program's incoming class of 2025. This year's recruiting class features 11 talented student-athletes from up and down the East Coast, each bringing unique skills, experiences, and a shared drive to contribute to the program's continued growth and success.

The incoming Thoroughbreds join a strong core of returners and the full squad will report to campus on August 17th for the start of preseason training. Details on the recruiting class with Coach Campion's comments are below:

Ethan Benjamin, Seacoast United SC, Bedford High School, Bedford, NH
Ethan was brought to our attention last fall by his coaches at Seacoast and Bedford. From living and coaching in NH for a number of years, I knew Ethan was part of a high-level, competitive environment in both club and high school. Then after seeing him play in the NH State Tournament last fall, I fully recognized he was someone that fits our system really well and will enhance our midfield core.  Ethan has outstanding composure on the ball and plays with a maturity beyond his years. When he needs to create, he has the passing range and dribbling ability to break down defenses and generate attacking chances. Ethan's poise and playmaking make him a great addition to our style of play.

Recent Accolades: 2023 NH D1 state champion, 2024 NH D1 first team all state, 2024 NH D1 state finalist, 2024 Bedford team captain, 2024 NH D1 undefeated regular season, 2025 Lions Cup selection

Simon Failla, FC Copa Academy, Hunterdon Central High School, Flemington, NJ
 
Simon commanded the play at our ID Clinic last summer and then continued to show well in his high school and club games at multiple positions. He is a technically gifted player who thrives under pressure, consistently showing the ability to navigate tight spaces with composure. Simon's high level vision of the game and anticipation allow him to break up plays before they develop, and he is equally effective in sparking quick transitions going forward. As a coaching staff, we are incredibly excited to begin working with Simon and believe he can continue to develop into a dominant player in the Liberty League and East Region.
 
Recent Accolades: New Jersey 2nd Team All State, 1st Team All Skyland Conference, 1st Team Hunterdon County, 3 x Hunterdon/Sussex/Warren tri County Tournament Champions, Hunterdon Central High School Bradshaw MVP Award
 
Jacob Humienny, Oakwood SC, Avon Old Farms, Farmington, CT
 
I identified Jacob a few years ago at a NEPSAC league game and was excited to reconnect with him and his family last fall. Jacob excelled in a fantastic soccer environment at Avon and challenged himself at the MLS Next level with Oakwood. He has a sharp soccer IQ and positional awareness, no matter where he plays on the field, that sets him apart. Jacob consistently makes dangerous entry passes and demonstrates exceptional vision in the final third - creating scoring opportunities with precision and creativity. His versatility allows him to impact the game across multiple midfield roles, making him a dynamic and dependable presence in possession and transition. We are looking forward to supporting Jacob's growth and seeing him thrive at Skidmore.
 
Recent Accolades: 2x CT ALL-State, All-NEPSAC selection, All-Founders League selection, Avon MVP, Won NPSL Division with Hartford City
 
Quinn McInerney, Bethesda SC, Jackson-Reed High School, Washington, D.C

When I first connected with Quinn I was happy to hear he already visited Skidmore prior to me becoming the coach and had a strong understanding of the school and program. I was instantly impressed with Quinn's play on video and our coaching staff became even more encouraged after seeing him play live this club season. Quinn is a left-sided player who is inventive and brave on the ball. He has exciting vertical speed, allowing him to stretch the field, get forward quickly in transition, and recover defensively when needed. His pace and comfort on the left side make him a great fit for our style of play.

Recent Accolades: Jackson-Reed 2x Team MVP and Captain, 2023-2024 DCIAA Champions

Nick Miller, New England FC, Philips Exeter Academy, Lynn, MA
 
Nick came highly recommended to us and we immediately enjoyed connecting with him in the recruitment process. I could tell right away that he would be such a positive addition to our team culture and help set a new standard of work rate in our group. He is a fast and skillful player who loves to take on defenders 1v1. He is dangerous with the ball at his feet and can create chances with his quick movement. Defensively, he is relentless and works hard to pressure opponents and win it back. Nick's nonstop effort and confidence make him a constant threat on the field.
 
Recent Accolades: Boston Globe NEPSAC All Star, NEPSAC honorable mention, Lynn Item All Star, Agganis All-Star, CCL All Star, Lynn City Tournament MVP, Team MVP
 
Reed Raymond, Soccer Association of Columbia, Boonsboro High School, Boonsboro, MD
 
I was able to observe Reed's play over an extended camp period last summer and knew he was a player that would help drive our program forward. After his campus visits, we truly understood that Reed would offer full, selfless commitment to our team and his own individual improvement. He is a very athletic midfielder that has an explosive first couple steps. Reed's ability to cover ground and be brave in his tackling will translate well to our level and style of play. We are very eager to begin working with Reed on the field.
 
Recent Accolades: WCPS All-county and All-CMC  first teams, School scholar-athlete award recipient
 
Evan Riccelli, Connecticut FC, Suffield Academy, Suffield, CT
 
We first evaluated Evan at a showcase early last fall with Suffield Academy. We observed excellent tidiness on the ball for someone of his height as well as the versatility to play as a forward and defensive midfielder at a high-level. After further speaking with his coaches, connecting with Evan on campus, and seeing him capture a NEPSAC championship, we became confident that we wanted him at Skidmore. Evan's ball control, composure under pressure, and ability to adapt to different roles makes him a valuable asset to our team. I am looking forward to finding the best position for Evan to express himself on the field and contribute to our team's success.
 
Recent Accolades: All-NEPSAC, NEPSAC all star, Suffield boys soccer captain, Suffield boys soccer MVP, All state and NEPSAC xi honorable mention.
 
Matthew Rubin, New York Elite Alleycats FC, Oneonta Senior High School, Oneonta, NY,
 
Matt is someone I was able to observe play numerous times because he plays his club soccer locally with NY Elite Alleycats. Each time I watched Matt, I became more impressed with his athleticism, technically defending skills, and his leadership. After spending time with him, we quickly recognized he would be an excellent representative for Skidmore Soccer and push our program to higher heights. He is a strong, athletic defender who brings a relentless work rate and a physical presence that's already at the college level. He excels in 1v1 defending situations, consistently showing discipline, toughness, and the ability to shut down attackers. His commitment to improving every day and willingness to do the gritty work make him a valuable addition to the back line.
 
Recent Accolades: Daily Star's 2024 Boys Soccer Player of the Year, STAC All-Conference selection, USCA All-State Selection
 
Farhad Sharifai, Achilles FC, Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, MD
 
Coach Gunty identified Farhad at a camp last summer in which he showcased fantastic energy and commitment to control the pace of play in the midfield. After reviewing more videos of Farhad and having him visit Saratoga Springs, we decided he would be an excellent fit for our program. He plays with confidence in possession, dictating the pace and flow of the game. Defensively, he is relentless, constantly pressuring opponents and winning the ball back for his team. Farhad will elevate the training environment level and challenge everyone on the team to push for more.
 
Recent Accolades: Starter for Bethesda SC and Achilles MLS Next groups, and for Walter Johnson High school team
 
Ben Urban, Seacoast United SC, Kennebunk High School, Kennebunk, ME

Last summer, I was able to observe Ben's play over an extended camp period and was happy to find out that he has family ties to the upstate New York area. I also knew Seacoast Maine includes a unique pool of talented players and that Ben was one of the best in the group. He is a hardworking box-to-box midfielder who has excellent recovery speed. Ben executes very well on the half-turn which helps him evade pressure and create space in tight situations. Ben's energy and movement will make him a key player in both attacking and defensive phases.

Recent Accolades: SMAA All-conference Senior year, High School MVP senior year, Captain senior year Hockey: 2x Varsity Captain (assistant captain junior year, captain senior year, 2x Leading goal scorer, Senior all-star, 3rd team all-state senior year. He also played high school golf and lacrosse

Rory Zampese, Aztec North Shore, Marblehead High School, Marblehead, MA

Rory attended one of our ID Clinics and showcased an outstanding work ethic as a goalkeeper that impressed our entire coaching staff. After connecting further with Rory, we could tell he has a team-first mentality and is eager to improve. We then knew he would fit in nicely to our goalkeeper core. Rory is courageous in net, especially in 1v1 moments. He excels in crowded areas, confidently commanding his box and handling pressure. Rory's work rate and strong presence make him a reliable and important last line of defense.

Recent Accolades: 2024 NEC Conference MVP, 2024 Daily Item All Star, 2024 NEC, 2024 All State Team, 3x all conference selection, 2x team Captain and MVP