PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley Soccer head coach Jim DeRose and his staff went big with its 2010 recruiting class, today announcing a 12-player class representing six states from coast-to-coast and at an average height of nearly 6-feet, 1-inch.  In terms of numbers, the 12-player class is Bradley's largest since 2002 and the quality of talent rivals that 12-man class, which was the catalyst for a four-year run that saw the Braves combine for a 50-26-14 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances (2002 and 2005), while also producing the first of the program's three straight Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championships in 2005.

In addition to landing the Peoria area's top two offensive players, Washington Community High School two-sport star Toni Ramadani and Illinois Valley Central's Chris Olivera, Bradley's 2010 class includes three key members of Naperville's Neuqua Valley High School powerhouse program, as well as standout players from Connecticut, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado and California.

"This equals the largest class ever during my tenure and we feel it is an exceptional class," said DeRose, who is preparing for his 15th season as Bradley's head coach.  "We still will add a few more, but we feel we have addressed most of our needs. Our primary goal was to add good quality and good numbers that have the ability to impact immediately and develop. 

"This class will join the 15 current players on our squad, and with only one senior next year, we are very excited about the future," added DeRose.  "Bradley Soccer is synonymous with success and this class has a chance to be among our best ever in quantity and quality.  Our targeted goal is always talent and skill and I think we accomplished that, but it was the competitiveness, commitment, work ethic, athleticism and versatility, in combination with that talent and skill, that we believe are the intangibles paramount to success and make this class special.  These traits have been the staple of our program and the success it has attained, and this class will bring great resolve to the returning group. 

"With only 4-5 true starters returning, the 2010 class and our returners will have an incredible battle for playing time, starting jobs and quality reserve roles."

Bradley's 2010 recruiting class will help the Braves restock following the graduation of six seniors who played key roles in back-to-back Valley regular-season titles in 2006 and 2007, Bradley's first State Farm MVC Tournament championship in 2007 and the program's memorable run to the 2007 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

For information and quotes for each recruit, please click their name below to view their biographies on Bradley' official athletic department website, www.BradleyBraves.com.

2010 Bradley Soccer Recruiting Class

Pronunciation Guide
Aodhan:  AY - din
Balle:  ball - AY
Kovacevic:  coe - VOCK - eh - vich
Ramadani:  rah - mah - DAH - knee
Tellez:  tell - EHZ
Wojciech:  WHOA - chick
Wojcik:  WHOA - tech