Air Force Academy

July 11, 2008

Air Force men's soccer coach Doug Hill announced today the 14 players that comprise the Falcons' incoming class of freshmen for the 2008 season. The group includes four players that have played in the Olympic Development Regional Program and four from the state of Colorado.

"We are very excited to have such a strong class join us this fall," Hill said. "We expect at least half of these players to compete for spots on the traveling squad in their first year and provide us with outstanding depth for the next few seasons. Also, having such a strong presence from the state of Colorado is very rewarding. Our staff did an excellent job of finding players that will not only mesh into our system, but have the desire to become great officers in the United States Air Force."

The class is highlighted by local product Justin Lukso (Colorado Springs, CO) and Garrett Getschow (Flower Mound, TX). Other players from Colorado are Josh Nelson (Fort Collins, CO), Rett Rayhill (originally from Memphis, TN, but played his final two seasons of high school at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs) and Eric Wilson (Monument, CO).

The newcomers will join a team that finished the 2007 season with a 5-12-1 record and tied for fifth-place in the MPSF. The 2008 regular season kicks off Friday, August 29 on the road against 2006 national champion UC Santa Barbara.

Air Force Academy Men's Soccer Class of 2012 Bios

Zach Brinlee

5-9 -- 165

Midfielder

Oklahoma City, OK / Putnam City North HS

Before Air Force

Brinlee played for NOKC Padova 89 club team and was a four-year letterwinner at Putnam North High School. He was a two-time team captain and a member of the 6A all-state team as a senior when he scored six goals and added 20 assists. In addition, Brinlee was named an All-American by the NSCAA and the National High School Coaches Association and Adidas Large School Oklahoma Player of the Year as a senior.

Coach Hill's Comments

Zach is a tireless worker with great ball skills and an amazing work ethic. He played for one of the top teams in Oklahoma and is a natural leader.

Zach Bruhn

5-11 -- 165

Defender

Peachtree, GA / McIntosh HS

Before Air Force

Bruhn played for the Concorde Fire South Black club team for three years and was team captain all three years. He scored six goals and added 10 assists. He also lettered twice at McIntosh High School, where he led his team to the 2007 Georgia Class 4A state championship as a senior. The team finished with a 22-0-2 record and was ranked No. 2 in the nation for all classifications by the NSCAA.

Coach Hill's Comments

Zach is a very intelligent player and comfortable on the ball. He plays with intensity and will help fill out our line of defense.

Ben Chavez

5-4 -- 145

Midfielder

Yorba Linda, CA / Servite HS

Before Air Force

Chavez played for the Canyon PSA club team where he was a four-time team captain and named team MVP. He was a two-year letterwinner at Servite High School, where he was a first-team all-league selection and won the school's Brian Doyel Award. Chavez earned team MVP honors as a freshman.

Coach Hill's Comments

Strong and fast are Ben's trademarks and he will be a natural outside left midfielder for us. Ben always plays with a smile on his face and will be a great addition to our squad this year.

Kyle Cressy

5-9 -- 140

Midfielder

Boise, ID / Capital HS

Before Air Force

Cressy played for four years on the Idaho State Olympic Development Team and was a member of the Boise Nationals club team, leading them to two state championships. At capital High School, he was a four-year letterwinner and a two-time first-team all-league selection as well as serving as team captain his senior campaign. 

Coach Hill's Comments

I have liked Kyle ever since I coached him at the Region IV camp. He reads the game well and does nice things with the ball.

Garrett Getschow

5-11 -- 170

Forward / Midfielder

Flower Mound, TX / Flower Mound HS

Before Air Force

Getschow played on the Texas First Team for U-12 and U-13 and was a member of the U-13 Regional Pool for the Olympic Development Program. He also helped the Comets '90 Blue club team to Dallas Cup semifinals in 2003 and quarterfinals in 2007 and the championship of the Disney Showcase Tournament twice in his eight seasons. Getschow lettered three years at Flower Mound High School and was a two-time first-team all-state selection and team offensive MVP after setting a new school record for goals in a season (26) and a game (4). He was also named tournament MVP at the Arlington Martin Tournament. 

Coach Hill's Comments

Garret is a natural goal scorer and I've seen him do it at every tournament I watched when I was recruiting him. He has a strong and accurate shot and has the skill and ability to be an impact player for us right away 

Parker Jamieson

6-0 -- 155

Defender

Dallas, TX / Episcopal School of Dallas

Before Air Force

Jamieson played for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club for eight seasons and was a four-year letterwinner in high school.    

Coach Hill's Comments

Parker keeps working at the game and it shows. He is a versatile player but spends most of the time in the back and is good with both feet.

Andrew Knighten

5-9 -- 155

Midfielder

Algonquin, IL / Wheaton Academy

Before Air Force

Knighten played for the Chicago Magic in the Red Bull National League and the Chicago Magic club team. He helped his club team win the Illinois State Cup in 2007 and the Super Y League National in Florida. Knighton was a three-year letterwinner at Wheaton Academy, where he earned all-conference honors three times and was named to all-section team as a senior.

Coach Hill's Comments

Andrew comes to the Academy from one of the Top 20 club teams in the country. He shows a nice pace on the outside.

Justin Lukso

6-5 -- 180

Forward

Colorado Springs, CO / Liberty HS

Before Air Force

Lukso played for four different club teams from 2000-07, including Pride FC and Rush Pikes Peak in Colorado. In his four season at Liberty High School, he was named the NSCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2007 and led the Lancers to the Colorado 4A state championship as a junior (team ranked 36^th nationally). Lukso earned all-state and first-team all-league honors as a senior and was named Liberty's Male Athlete of the Year in 2008. 

Coach Hill's Comments

Even at 6'5", Justin is a player that is coming in under the radar as he tore his ACL during his sophomore year. He is excellent in the air and a tactically sound player with great touch. He has an opportunity to be an immediate contributor and impact player for us.

Martin Madsen

6-0 -- 150

Midfielder

Denton, TX / Denton HS

Before Air Force

Madsen played 11 games for Division II West Texas A&M last season. He did not score but attempted five shots. He played for the FC Dallas club team, helping his team finish first in their league and fourth in the Score at the Shore tournament in North Carolina. In high school, he led the Denton Broncos to the 5-4A District title and a 14-1-1 finish his senior year and was named first team all-district for his efforts.

Coach Hill's Comments

Martin is a transfer coming from West Texas A&M, where he saw playing time as a freshman. He impressed me with his calm play, first at our sports camp. He has very good vision and is tactically sound.

John Melcher

5-9 -- 160

Midfielder

St. Simons Island, GA / Glynn Academy

Before Air Force

Melcher was team captain and MVP of the USAFA Prep School Team in 2007. Prior to that, he played two seasons Georgia State Olympic Development Program team and the Atlanta Football club team. He led his club team to a national ranking of #7 and two state cup finals. In high school, Melcher was a two-time regional player of the year and the region in scoring as a junior and senior.

Coach Hill's Comments

John will possibly be the hardest worker on the field and possesses a never say die attitude. His outstanding work ethic will add stability to our midfield. 

Josh Nelson

6-0 -- 160

Midfielder

Fort Collins, CO / Poudre HS

Before Air Force

Nelson played for Fort Collins Arsenal club team for seven seasons and led the team to a league championship in 2007. He was also a four-year letterwinner at Poudre High School, where he served as team captain his senior campaign. 

Coach Hill's Comments

Josh is not only a great athlete but also very tenacious. He was the MVP of our soccer camp in 2007 and one of the strongest players on his club team. He will be able to fit in many positions.

D.J. Nottingham

6-1 -- 175

Midfielder

Frisco, TX / Hebron HS

Before Air Force

Nottingham played three years on the Texas State Olympic Development Program Team and for the FC Dallas 90 club team. As a three-year letterwinner at Hebron High School, he was a first-team all-district pick in 2008 and helped his team, at one time ranked No. 1 in the country, to the state quarterfinals.

Coach Hill's Comments

D.J. is a strong defender who can shut down forwards.  He played in a very good club system and will add composure to our back line.

Rett Rayhill

6-1 -- 170

Midfielder

Memphis, TN / Fountain Valley School (CO)

Before Air Force

Rayhill played for Littleton United White club team after moving to Colorado from Tennessee. He led Fountain Valley to a state runner-up finish his senior season by scoring a school-record 23 goals, breaking his own record of 16 as a junior.

Coach Hill's Comments

Rett came from a strong club in Tennessee and moved to Colorado Springs prior to his junior year of high school. He is a very good athlete and will be a versatile player and grow in our program.

Eric Wilson

6-1 -- 180

Defender

Monument, CO / Lewis Palmer HS

Before Air Force

Wilson played for Corinthians Gold and the Pueblo Rangers Elite club teams and was a four-year letterwinner at Lewis-Palmer High School. He earned first-team all-league honors as a senior and was named defensive player of the year twice.

Coach Hill's Comments

Eric is another player coming in as a stealth player from Colorado but will be an impact player. He has a huge upside with his savvy play and ability to win most 50-50 battles.