Dec. 11, 2014
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Missouri State men's soccer program announced the addition of six players who will be joining the team for the reigning Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions beginning this January, 2015. The student-athletes are Tucker Brown, Nick Burtenshaw, Jake Kovarik, Locke McAllister, Dallas Moses, and Tyler Swanner. Burtenshaw and Kovarik enrolled this fall, Brown and McCallister will be entering Missouri State in January after completing high school early, and Moses and Swanner will be transfers enrolling in January.
2015 Men's Soccer Commitments:
Tucker Brown, F, Rogersville, Mo., Logan-Rogersville High School
Born is Springfield, Tucker Brown will return to the Queen City this fall. The forward played four high school seasons for coach Brett Webbena, where he helped lead the Wildcats to three consecutive district runner-up seasons. The four-time all-conference selection leaves Logan-Rogersville at the career leader in goals (97) and assists (51) in a career, as well as holding the mark for most goals and assists in a season and game. The Class 2 SW Region Offensive Player of the Year will be a freshman on campus beginning in January.
Associate head coach Michael Seabolton Brown:
"Tucker is from Springfield Soccer Club where he was a state champion and regional champion. He's an athletic forward, an attacking player who can bring energy, a physical presence, size, and speed to our attacking line. We are looking forward to adding him to the team.
Nick Burtenshaw, D, Hatfield Hertfordshire, England, The Harefield Academy
Nick Burtenshaw will join the Missouri State men's soccer program in January, after a successful youth career playing in his home country of England. Burthenshaw has played both right back and center mid in his time at Watford FC, Luton Town FC, Hitchin Town FC, and for his academy team. At The Harefield Academy, Burtenshaw won the English Schools National Tournament.
Associate head coach Michael Seabolton Burtenshaw:
"Nick is an outside back, particularly a right back, who is a very good crosser of the ball. He brings great energy to attack from a wide back position and get forward. He's a good technical player and has had a good youth history in England and will be a good addition who will complete for time right away."
Jacob Kovarik, F/M, Columbia, Mo., Rock Bridge High School
Missouri native Jacob Kovarik enrolled at Missouri State this fall as an Honor's College student with plans to join the team in January 2015. While at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Kovarik played on three Bruin soccer teams which finished third in state, and placed fifth his senior year. The versatile player tallied 13 goals and 9 assists in his senior campaign, while earning First Team Academic All-State, Second Team All-State, First Team All-Region, First Team All-District, and the Harry Lewis Award.
Associate head coach Michael Seabolton Kovarik:
"Jake is a good local player that will add to the program on and off the field. He is a hard-working and talented young person that has been recognized in the state for his performances with high school. He also is a top student that will be attending our Honors College. We look forward to him joining us in the Spring."
Locke McAllister, D/M, Joplin, Mo., Joplin High School
The freshman from Joplin enters Missouri State after four successful seasons leading the Eagles to three conference championships as both a defensive center mid and an attacking center mid, scoring 20 or more goals and thirteen assists each of the last two seasons. McAllister comes in having played every minute for Joplin High for the past three years, and earning a bevy of awards including all-conference, all-region, and all-district selections his senior year, district MVP his junior year, and four Academic All-Conference recognitions.
Associate head coach Michael Seabolton McAllister:
"Locke is a local player from Springfield Soccer Club that I have worked with for three plus years. He is a state champion and regional champion. He is a left-footed midfielder, who is a very good technical player, and brings great energy to the midfield. When he adds a little bit of strength and size will be potentially a dominant midfielder player for the team."
Dallas Moses, M, Springfield, Mo., O'Fallon Township High School (IL.), Loyola University
Dallas Moses returns to Springfield after playing his freshman season at Missouri Valley Conference peer, Loyola. Moses played his freshman and sophomore seasons of high school soccer at Springfield Catholic, where he was named Freshman Player of the Year and First Team All-State. Moses then participated in Academy League with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro during his final two years of high school. As a Rambler, Moses started against the Bears in the semifinals of the MVC tournament.
Associate head coach Michael Seabolton Moses:
"Dallas is a good technical player, who brings high energy and work ethic. He is very competitive and a proven winner. He's a local guy who I coached with for Springfield Soccer Club and he was able to win a state championship. We think he'll help us to continue to win and build on the current success of the program."
Tyler Swanner, M, Imperin, Mo., Edwardsville High School (IL.), UW-Green Bay
Tyler Swanner will transfer to Missouri State after starting for two seasons at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he totaled five goals and six assists. Swanner played varsity soccer at Edwardsville High for three seasons before foregoing his senior season to play for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro U17/18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He led the Tigers in assists and earned all-conference and all-sectional honors in both of his final two seasons of high school.
Associate head coach Michael Seabolton Swanner:
"Tyler will be a two-year transfer from Wisconsin-Green Bay. He is a player from the same club system as Jake Laird and Kevin Birk. He is very technical from the midfield, or perhaps a wide position, and can add assists and goals. He will be a great addition and will compete for playing time from the first day he gets here."
