McGrane Announces Incoming Transfer, Freshman Class

On Monday, Canisius men's soccer head coach Dermot McGrane announced the addition of freshman transfer Andrew Vannest and five incoming freshmen who will join the Griffs' program for the fall 2021 season.

Vannest attended Bryant & Stratton for one semester before transferring to Canisius. The 5-foot-11 midfielder spent last year overseas in Spain playing for Marbella United after graduating from Churchville-Chili High School in suburban Rochester. In 2018, his senior season, Vannest netted 14 goals while recording 13 assists, earning All-Monroe County First Team and All-New York State accolades. Vannest played two club seasons with Rochester Fútbol Club and the GPS NY Regional teams.

"Andrew is a quick player that can use both feet equally well and is very sound technically," McGrane said. "He has a tremendous work ethic and is versatile enough to play anywhere across the midfield. Based on what we have seen so far in practice, he has potential to make a great impact on our team."

Vannest will be available for the upcoming spring season, which begins at home Thursday vs. Fairfield.

McGrane also announced the addition of five newcomers to the program for the forthcoming fall season. Three hail from Buffalo and its suburbs, while the remaining two reside in suburban Rochester.

Reilly Boyer, a defender from Lockport, N.Y., spent three club seasons each with Global Premier Soccer and Rush New York Select Soccer, where he won the Bethesda Premier Cup in 2016 and the New York West State Cup in 2018. At the high school level, Boyer scored 22 goals and had 11 assists this past season, earning All-Western New York Team honors. He was also selected as the Niagara-Frontier Player of the Year. In his four-year varsity career, Boyer tallied 51 goals.

"Reilly is one of the best defenders to come out of Western New York in the last 20 years," McGrane stated. "He has great size and speed for a central defender, but his ability with the ball at his feet and his understanding of the game are what really set him apart. He was a highly sought-after recruit, so we feel very fortunate to have him sign with us."

Adam Grover will join his brother, Ethan Grover, at Canisius next season. The Warsaw, N.Y., native accrued all-county, all-tournament, team MVP, and All-New York State honors on two occasions while attending Warsaw High School. Adam was named the Livingston County Athletic Association (LCAA) Division I Player of the Year while also being a first-team member on the All-Greater Rochester Team. He played seven seasons with Rochester Fútbol Club and the GPS Regional Team, where he won three tournaments, including the State and Jefferson Cups. He also appeared in the US Youth Nationals in 2018.

"We are excited to have Adam join his brother Ethan on our team," McGrane said. "We have watched Adam improve dramatically over the past two years, and if his development continues at the same rate, he is going to have a great career for us. Adam is a hard-working midfielder that keeps things simple and maintains possession of the ball."

Bryan Kohl, a midfielder and defender from Lancaster, N.Y., played three seasons with the Rochester-based club, Empire United, in the United States Development Academy, and one year with the NY Flash in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Kohl played his senior season at Lancaster High School, where he was the team's leading scorer with eight goals, earning All-Western New York First Team and First Team ECIC I honors.

"Bryan has played the past four years at a good level in club soccer with Empire in the USDA and this year with the NY Flash in the ECNL, which will help him in his transition to the D-I level," McGrane said. "He is a technically gifted attacking full back with a great left foot. We look forward to seeing his contributions to our team next season."

Jack Petrie is currently the Griffs' lone goalkeeper of this year's incoming class. The 6-foot Williamsville, N.Y., native played three seasons at Williamsville South, earning a pair of Section VI titles and a division title. Following the 2020 season, Petrie earned a plethora of accolades, including All-Western New York Player of the Year, All-Western New York First Team, ECIC II Player of the Year, and ECIC II First Team honors. He recorded 59 saves and 11 clean sheets in 16 matches in 2020, allowing just seven goals. During his tenure with the Billies, Petrie logged 25 clean sheets. Petrie also played three seasons of club with WNY Flash Academy.

"Jack is a very composed, vocal goalkeeper who leads his team from the back," McGrane added. "He is very athletic, a great shot-stopper, and very comfortable with the ball at his feet – he almost looks like central midfielder with the ball at his feet. We feel that he has the ability to challenge for playing time in his first year."

Dylan Rice will arrive on Main Street with a long list of accolades to his credit. He was a four-time all-Monroe selection and a two-time All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year (2019 and 2020). Rice also earned All-American and all-state honors in 2019. During his time at Greece Athena, the Trojans won a pair of Section V titles (2016 and 2019) while also winning a regional championship and appearing as a state finalist in 2019. During his five-year career at Greece Athena, the 5-foot-11 midfielder/forward scored 48 goals and collected 43 assists. This past season, Rice tallied eight goals and eight assists during his senior campaign. Rice has played seven seasons of club soccer split across the GPS regional and national teams, where he won the Surf Cup and numerous regional tournaments.

"Dylan is a two-time First Team All-American and also a two-time All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year. I think this speaks volumes about the level of player that he is," McGrane stated. "Dylan is a very creative attacking midfielder with deceptive speed that can create and score goals. We expect him to have an immediate impact on our team."

For more information regarding the Canisius men's soccer program, please follow @GriffsSoccer on Instagram and Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Ethan Grover: D; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#24 Andrew Vannest: M; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#22 Ethan Grover
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: D

#24 Andrew Vannest
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: M

Players Mentioned

#22 Ethan Grover

#24 Andrew Vannest

Players Mentioned

#22 Ethan Grover

#24 Andrew Vannest