Canisius College men's soccer head coach Dermot McGrane announced the addition of eight players to the Golden Griffin program on Thursday. Bjarki Benediktsson (Hafnarfjordur, Iceland), Melvin Blair (Frome, Jamaica), Giovanni Coraggioso (Rochester, N.Y.), Joe Farrell (Buffalo, N.Y.), Shane Greene (Buffalo, N.Y.), Hakeem Milson (Hayes, Jamaica), Austin Rodger (Rochester, N.Y.) and Marco Trivellato (Padua, Italy) are all set to wear the Blue and Gold, starting with the 2015 campaign.
“We have an impressive group of players joining our family this year,” McGrane said. “We have addressed some specific needs for the upcoming season, while also planning for the future with this talented group. I am excited to get them on campus soon and blended with our returning players.”
Benediktsson joins the Canisius program after a standout freshman season at Boston University. The Patriot League Rookie of the Year helped lead the Terriers to a national ranking and an appearance in the Patriot League Championship game in 2014. He started all 20 contests on defense with six assists, while helping the team post nine shutouts on the year. Benediktsson has also helped his club team, FH Hafnarfjordur, win seven national championships during his youth career, while starting 12 games for the Icelandic National Youth Team.
“We have been trying to find a left-sided defender for a while and Bjarki is the perfect fit for us,” McGrane said. “He plays with a great deal of confidence and maturity, and has an educated left foot. He will be a dominant defender in the MAAC.”
Blair attended Manning's School in Jamaica – the same high school as former Griff standout Asani Samuels. The midfielder captained the team during the Dacosta Cup and was also a member of the Jamaican U-17 National Team that competed in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
“I watched Melo play when I went to Jamaica to see Asani Samuels play,” McGrane said. “He was 15 years old playing with players much older than he was and yet, he stood out as one of the best players on the pitch. He has unbelievable technical ability combined with a great soccer brain. He will add a great deal to our attack this year.”
The 2013 Section V Player of the Year, Coraggioso totaled 66 goals and 56 assists during his four-year career at Webster Christian School. He helped lead the Warriors to three sectional championships and was twice named the team's MVP. Coraggioso also played with the Doug Miller Soccer Swerve academy for more than four years – helping the team to five tournament championships as a three-time captain – in addition to two seasons with the Olympic Development Program.
“Giovanni is an athletic left-sided midfielder,” McGrane said. “He has a good understanding of the game and a work ethic to match it. His overall technique is good and he has a great attitude. Giovanni will be a great addition to our team this year.”
A two-time All-Western New York and three-time all-league honoree, Farrell totaled 36 goals and 50 assists during his four-year career at Grand Island High School. He was also a member of the Empire Revolution club team, helping the squad to the state championship in 2014 and two Thruway League Championships in 2013 and 2014. The midfielder collected 20 goals and 15 assists during his three-year tenure with the Revolution.
“I coached Joe for one season when he played U-16 at Empire Buffalo,” McGrane said. “He has a tireless work ethic, a great left foot and provides quality services from wide positions. I'm excited to see how quickly he will adjust to the Division I game.”
The 2014 Western New York Player of the Year, Greene earned four letters at Hamburg High School. He scored a school-record 28 goals during the 2014 season to go along with 10 assists, while collecting 43 goals and 25 assists during his career. Greene is a two-time All-Western New York First Team honoree in addition to earning all-state and all-region honors as a senior. The Buffalo native also played for Revolution Empire and won the NY West State Cup Championship three-straight seasons from 2012 to 2014.
“We are very excited about the addition of Shane to our team,” McGrane said. “He is a big, physical defender that is very comfortable with the ball at his feet. He is also a natural leader, which is a rare commodity in young players. He will immediately compete for a starting position and we are expecting big things from Shane this year.”
Milson joins the Griffs after spending one season at Wayland Baptist University in 2014. The midfielder appeared in 18 games with 14 starting assignments, totaling three points on a goal and an assist. Prior to his freshman season with the Pioneers, Milson played for Glenmuir High School in Jamaica, helping the team to the Dacosta Cup Championship in 2012.
“Hakeem is a big, strong, left-footed attacking player with good pace,” McGrane said. “He spent most of his freshman year playing left back because that was what his team needed him to do, but we see him playing the role of striker for us. I like the versatility in his game and I see him playing a major role in our success this season.”
Rodger played one year with the Empire Revolution of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, starting 13 games with the team as a junior. The defender also spent three seasons as a member of his high school team at McQuaid (2011-12) and Hilton (2014), recording eight goals and two assists as a senior.
“Austin has played at a very good level with the Empire academy, which will help in his transition into the Division I level of soccer,” McGrane said. “He is technically very sound, reads the game very well and has good instincts as a defender. He can also play anywhere across the back, which is a good trait to have.”
Trivellato rounds out the recruiting class for the Griffs. The goalie spent time with a number of clubs in Italy, most recently with AC Campodarsego. He also appeared in more than 100 games with AC Este, FBC Derthona, AC Belluno and AS Cittadella.
“Marco is a 23 year old transfer student that has played at a very high level in Italy,” McGrane said. “Therefore, he brings a wealth of maturity and experience to our team. He is tall, agile and has great shot-stopping ability. His distribution is very good from both hands and feet and he is confident taking crosses in traffic. He will add a great level of competition to our current goalkeeping crew.”
The eight players join 15 returning letterwinners and eight starters from the 2014 season, which saw the Griffs complete one of their most successful seasons in school history. The team posted a 9-6-3 record and matched the program record for wins in a season. Overall, 11 marks in the school's record book were set or matched during the 2014 campaign.
