Montverde Academy Soccer Signs 7 to Division I
- Details
- Published on Friday, 10 February 2012 11:34
Wednesday February 8, 2012
Montverde, FL
It was a historic day for Montverde Academy as the community witnessed 7 student athletes on the Boys Varsity Soccer Team sign their National Letters of Intent in the presence of fellow students and faculty members in the Sandra O. Stephens Fine Arts Center. "This day marks the culmination of tremendous sacrifice, hard work, and dedication on the part of many," said Head Coach and Director of Athletics Mike Potempa. "Player development will always be at the forefront of our program here at Montverde Academy and to have 7 members of the Varsity Soccer Team receive athletic scholarships to Division I Universities is definitely something special."
The Eagles, who are currently ranked 5th in ESPN Rise/Powerade Fab 50 National Poll, finished the 2011-12 campaign unbeaten for the second straight year with a final record of 23-0-4. In addition, the program holds the nation's longest undefeated streak with an overall record of 49-0-5 in its last 53 matches. "Results are important to a certain extent, but I am more concerned with preparing those who have a passion for the game and a willingness to work hard for life at the next level," Potempa added. "I believe we have seen our work come to fruition this afternoon."
Leading the class of 2012 is ESPN Rise All-American David Graydon who has signed with St. Louis University of the Atlantic 10 Conference. "David is one of the smoothest and technically gifted players I've ever worked with," said Potempa. "He can unbalance teams at any moment and has the ability to take any team to a higher level with his passing ability and creativity. Coach McGinty got himself a great one there." Joining Graydon at St. Louis next year will be fellow attacking midfield specialist Donte Brangman, and pacey winger Jair Minors who both committed in the fall after taking their official visits.
ESPN Rise All-American Joao Ramalho and fellow attacking partner Henrique Novaes have signed NLI's with East Tennessee State University out of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Ramalho, referred to by many as the most dynamic attacking player in the country, is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in November, but is on track for a complete and successful recovery by August. Novaes played a major role in the Eagles' success in 2011 with 16 goals and 8 assists on the year. "Ramalho is without a doubt the best attacking player I've worked with in my career as a coach at any level," said Potempa. "The staff at ETSU is extremely fortunate to be able to work with two players who possess the ability to score goals and get behind defenses like Henrique and Joao."
Also competing in the Atlantic Sun Conference next year will be senior right back Luis Fernando Vega, who has signed with Florida Gulf Coast University. Juan Jose Morales, Montverde Academy's leading goal scorer for the past two seasons (52), has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Mercer University in Macon, GA. "Juanjo will do great things at Mercer as will Luis Vega at FGCU," Potempa added. "They are student athletes of tremendous character and will be great additions to their respective programs academically, socially, and athletically."
Montverde Academy was crowned ESPN Rise/Powerade Fab 50 #1 National Champions for the first time in the history of the Boys Varsity Soccer Program in 2011 and has produced 10 Division I and 5 Division II scholarship athletes from the soccer program alone in just two seasons under the leadership of Potempa. 
In 2012, Montverde Academy won its first inaugural Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament (M.A.S.T.) featuring current ESPN Rise top 20 teams Brophy Prep (AZ), and American Heritage-Delray (FL) defeating Delray in the final by a score of 3-1. "To have 7 Division I signings in one class justifies what we are doing here on a daily basis with our preparation and training," said Potempa. "It's a productive and effective environment as often times our training sessions are more difficult and competitive than our matches, which only promotes player development. We still have a few Division I level players in our 2012 class who have yet to sign, and our underclassmen are of the same quality and expected to continue the tradition set by this group of Seniors. I could not be happier for the Seniors who have accomplished their goal and signed a National Letter of Intent this afternoon. To me, this is what it's all about."
