Men's soccer new additions (from L to R): Victor Saravia, Elio Hernandez, Risheq Waleed, Juan Quintanilla, Delonte Bright and Moussa Traore. Not pictured: Omar Gonzalez and Simon Bratke.

Posted: Aug 30, 2012

Host of Newcomers Highlight Firebirds Roster as Men’s Soccer Opens 2012 Season at Shippensburg

SHIPPENSBURG, PA – The University of the District of Columbia men's soccer team will feature eight new players on its roster as the Firebirds open their 2012 season on Friday, August 31^st at the Shippensburg Tournament.

Second year head coach Matt Thompson has brought in a trio of freshman goalkeeper recruits: Risheq Waleed, Omar Gonzalez and Delonte Bright; two defenders: Simon Bratke and Juan Quintanilla; two midfielders Elio Hernandez and Victor Saravia; and forward Moussa Traore.

Waleed, a Greensboro, NC native transferred to Freedom High School in South Riding, VA where he had a stellar soccer career that included over 70 wins in goal and 29 shutouts. Gonzalez, a 5-foot-9, 165 lb. keeper out of Reston, VA, will also vie for time in the Firebird net along with Washington, D.C. native, Delonte Bright.

Bratke, who will be a formidable force on the back line at 6-foot-2, 185 lb., hails from Bonn, Germany where he attended Collegium Josephinum Bonn. Quintanilla, a Germantown, MD native who had a stellar career at Quince Orchard High School, played a variety of positions including left wing, left back and center midfield. His senior season he scored the fastest double (two goals) in school history during a playoff game at under three minutes.

Hernandez, the younger brother of the Firebirds' reigning Team Most Valuable Player, Roque, will likely make an immediate impact on District of Colulmbia's midfield line. He was an Honorable Mention All-State selection while at Northwest High School, and a 2^nd Team All-Gazette selection as well. Saravia, who redshirted in 2009 before taking two years off, has rejoined the team for this Fall. He was a standout player at Potomac Falls High School.

Traore will look to give the Firebirds a scoring punch at forward this season. The John F. Kennedy High School product was Second Team All-State and First Team All-Gazette his senior season.

The Firebirds open the season on Friday, August 31^st at 5 p.m. against Pitt-Johnstown and then play Chestnut Hill on Sunday, September 2^nd at 3:30 p.m. Both games will be hosted by Shippensburg University at David See Field at Robb Sports Complex. District of Columbia won both its games when it opened the season at this tournament a year ago, as Thompson started his reign at University of DC with two wins, en-route to an 8-5-4 record in 2011.