POUGHKEEPSIE, New York - The Marist men's soccer program and 14^th-year head coach Matt Viggiano '99 have announced eight incoming additions to the roster for the 2020 season. These five freshmen and three transfer students will join the team as they prepare for another strong campaign at Tenney Stadium.

The talented group includes student-athletes with previous stints at Lehigh, Central Florida and Marshall University. In total, the diverse squad of future Red Foxes hail from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Canada and Norway.

"I would first like to thank Coach Richard Cusano '05/'07M and Rob Esposito for assisting in putting this class together," stated coach Viggiano. "I feel this class compliments the existing pieces we have in place, and will continue to help us in our push to capture a MAAC title. This class consists of veteran players with conference-championship and NCAA-tournament experience, as well as exciting youthful players that we believe have bright futures. I am eager to come together soon, and have all of us get to work."
 

DeMarre Montoute

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 165lbs
Home Town: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Previous School: Marshall University
Club Team: Vaughan Azzurri
High School: Chaminade College HS
Position: CB/RB

"Demarre will bring an added element to our backline as a versatile, athletic, and smooth defender who we initially recruited two years ago," lauded Viggiano. "His ability to defend 1v1 and match up with anyone for pace can only help to fortify our defense."

Awards/Honors/Experience:
At Marshall University, played in 11 games as a Freshmen
Conference USA Regular Season and Tournament Champion in 2019
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2019
U18/19 Ontario Cup Champions in 2018
U18/19 league Cup Champions in 2018
Montverde Showcase Champion in 2019
EDP showcase championship in 2016
OPDL League championship in 2016 and 2017
TDCSB Championship freshman year at Chaminade College High School
 

Thomas Ness

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 173lbs
Home Town: Grimstad, Norway
Previous School: University of Central Florida
Club Team: FK Jerv
High School: Dahlske Videregaende
Position: CM

"A savvy and technically sound midfielder who has the capability to dictate the pace of the game and unlock opposing teams with his passing ability. His combination of talent and experience should see him factor into our midfield immediately"

Playing History:  
University of Central Florida: 2018-2020
FK Jerv: 2004-2017
 
Awards/Honors/Experience:
At University of Central Florida, played in 18 games and earned 7 starts with one assist
AAC Regular Season Champions in 2019
AAC Tournament Finalist in 2019
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2019
Promoted to regional conference champions for the FK Jerv reserves
Placed fifth in DANA Cup with the FK Jerv U16 team
Debuted for FK Jerv First Team against Norwegian first division
 

Justin Scharf

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 160lbs
Hometown: Newtown, Pennsylvania
Previous School: Lehigh University
Club Team: Patriots FC
High School: Council Rock North
Position: LB/RB

"A no-nonsense, solid and proficient defender who will undoubtedly bolster us day one. Has all the intangibles that coaches love," noted Viggiano. "I think he'll fit seamlessly into our group and aid in our leadership moving forward."

Playing History:  
Lehigh University: 2018-2020
Patriots FC: 2008-2018
 
Awards/Honors/Experience:
At Lehigh University, started in 2 of the 5 games he appeared in as a freshmen and then started 20 out of 20 games as a sophomore.
2019 Patriot League Regular Season and Tournament Champion
2019 NCAA Tournament
Patriot League Academic Honor Roll
2016/2017 First Team All-Suburban One League selection at Council Rock North High School
6 time EPYSA State Cup Championship with Patriot FC
Competed in the USYSA Eastern Regional League and Regional Championships
 

Jaiden Pean

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 165lbs
Home Town: New Windsor, New York
Club Team: Manhattan SC Titans 
High School: Cornwall Central High School 
Position: GK

"This Manhattan Soccer Club alum and Hudson Valley resident is an outstanding athlete, great person and competitor who will bring needed depth to our goalkeeper position. He will definitely push Sam and Dylan, and I look forward to his development."

Playing History:  
Manhattan SC Titans: 2016-2020
Primo SC: 2013-2016
 
Awards/Honors/Experience:
Quarterfinalist in Gothia cup 2018
New York State Cup Finalist 2019
ENPL National Semi-finalist 2019
ENPL Regional Champion 2019
College Select squad - NextGen 2017
Selected to play USL2 Manhattan with Manhattan SC in 2020
2018/2019 All Section First Team
Section IX Champion 2018 
 

Michael Schimbeno

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180lbs
Hometown: Manalapan, New Jersey
Club Team: Princeton Soccer Academy
High School: Manalapan HS
Position: CB/DCM

"He has great size and athletic ability with the elements of a Division I center back. I know he'll compete from the start of camp, and will work to factor into the mix."

Playing History:
Princeton Soccer Academy: 2019-2020 (Team Captain) 
Cedar Stars Monmouth DA: 2018-2019
Match Fit Academy: 2012-2018 (Team Captain) 

Awards/Honors/Experience:
Selected twice for ID2
PDP selected player
New Jersey First Team A North 2019
Second Team All Monmouth 2019
Senior County All Star Team 2019
Regionally Ranked #20 in Top Drawer Soccer
Manalapan High School Team Captain
 

Justin Rodriguez

Height: 5'7"
Weight: 138lbs
Hometown: Montrose, New York
Club Team: New York Soccer Club
High School: Hendrick Hudson High School
Position: RW/LW/ACM

"An exciting 1v1 and technically-adept player who can beat opposing teams via the dribble or the pass. Justin has capabilities that are hard to teach, and will be an exciting player to watch."

Playing History:  
New York Soccer Club: 2017-2020
New York Red Bulls Academy: 2015-2016
 
Awards/Honors/Experience:
Currently, leading goal scorer for NYSC U19 in the USSDA
2018 All-League at Hendrick Hudson High School
2018 All-Section at Hendrick Hudson High School
2018 Team MVP at Hendrick Hudson High School
New York Red Bulls RDS Graduate
 

Ronald Ray Jr.

Height: 5'8
Weight: 150lbs
Hometown: Bowie, Maryland
Club Team: Achilles FC
High School: College Park Academy
Position: RM/RB

"RJ is a versatile player who has the ability to take on players out wide and give other teams fits. His footwork and speed brings an added dimension to the field."

Playing History:  
Achilles FC (Washington, DC):  2019-2020
Columbus Crew Academy (Columbus, OH):  2019-2020 Trialist
DC United Academy (Washington, DC): 2013-2019
Bethesda SC (Bethesda, MD):  2012-13

Awards/Honors/Experience:
DC United Academy U12 Captain; U13 Co-Captain  
Invitee to multiple US Soccer Training Centers, including a Regional Camp
2015 - Scotia Bank Youth CONCACAF U13 Champions League Tournament, Mexico City
2016 - Champion, Inaugural Montreal Impact International U13 Tournament, Montreal, Canada
2017 - U15 Cayman Airways Invitational, Cayman Islands
2017 - U15 Maryland Futsal State Cup Champion, PG Young Boys
2019 - Runner-up Disney Showcase 2019; Achilles Team high scorer
2019 - U18 Maryland Futsal State Cup Champion
 

Bruno Servisi

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 153 
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Club Team: FA Euro New York
High School: Churchill School and Center
Position: CM

"Bruno is a composed and well-rounded player who has already competed at a higher level in USL. I am intrigued to see how he compliments the team."

Playing History:
FA Euro: 2018-2020
Downtown United Soccer Club: 2009-2018
 
Awards/Honors/Experience:
Youngest player on FA Euro's USL team
Most goals 2017-2018 season at Downtown United Soccer Club (12 goals)
Varsity Soccer most goals sophomore year