Men's Soccer Adds Eight for 2017 Season

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse head men's soccer coach Ian McIntyre announced the addition of eight players to the program on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The Orange's incoming class is ranked No. 6 nationally by Top Drawer Soccer. It includes two members of Top Drawer Soccer's Top 100, as well as Hugo Delhommelle and Djimon Johnson, who enrolled at Syracuse in January.

"We are delighted to welcome this talented group into our Syracuse soccer family," McIntyre said. "Every recruiting class should be given the necessary time to adjust to the demands of ACC competition but we are excited to get to work with this group and integrate these players into our young squad. We have had the chance to work with most of these student-athletes through our ID program here on campus. We have been able to watch this group grow and evolve, both as players and as young men. It is a talented group of the highest character, who will take tremendous pride in representing Syracuse University."

Tajon Buchanan – Broomfield, Colo. – Legacy HS
Buchanan was recognized as the Colorado State Player of the Year and a Regional All-American after leading Legacy High School with 21 goals and 10 assists in 2016. Ranked as the No. 125 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, Buchanan is a member of the Real Colorado team in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, and he also played for the Mississauga Falcons, which won the 2014 IMG Cup.

"Tajon is an exciting, dynamic player who has the ability to go past defenders," McIntyre said. "He possesses an athleticism and directness that will allow him to successfully make the transition to life here in the ACC. I am looking forward to adding Tajon's creativity and enthusiasm to our young group."

Justin Earle – Stittsville, Ontario, Canada – Sacred Heart HS
Earle has most recently played for the Ottawa Fury Senior Academy and has been a member of the Canadian U20 Identification Pool. He was a member of the Ottawa Fury Junior Academy that was crowned Super Y League North American Champions.

"Justin is a player that we have been following for some considerable time and he continues to impress us with his maturity, confidence and calmness on the pitch," McIntyre said. "He is a good individual defender that makes those players around him better. Justin's drive, passion and his competitive edge provide him the chance to make a quick transition to life here in the ACC."

Miles Franklyn – Teaneck, N.J. – Bergen Catholic HS
Franklyn is recognized as the No. 98 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer. He is a 2016 TopDrawerSoccer High School All-American and a 2016 All-New Jersey First Team selection. He captained Bergen Catholic, scoring 49 goals with 21 assists during his high school career. Franklyn is a teammate of Dylan McDonald on the Match Fit Academy team, which was crowned 2015 Disney Boys Showcase Champions and 2015-2016 New Jersey State Cup Champions.

"We are thrilled to have Miles join our Syracuse program and he has the physical tools to make life very difficult for opposing defenders," McIntyre said. "He has an infectious personality and possesses the wonderful ability of scoring big goals in big games. I am very excited to have the chance to work with Miles and watch his game continue to grow and evolve during his time here at Syracuse."

Dylan McDonald – Langhorne, Pa. – Neshaminy HS
McDonald led Neshaminy High School to two Suburban One League Championships. The dominating defender/midfielder scored 26 goals and had 12 assists during a high school career that secured 56 wins for the program. McDonald is a teammate of Miles Franklyn on the Match Fit Academy team, which was crowned 2015 Disney Boys Showcase Champions and 2015-2016 New Jersey State Cup Champions.

"Dylan is a composed, imposing defender who has the technical ability and range to allow us to build from the back," McIntyre said. "I feel that Dylan's best years are ahead of him and he has the drive, application and quality to be successful here at Syracuse."

Evan Peters – Valley Stream, N.Y. – Valley Stream North HS
Peters has started 13 of 14 games for the 2016 New York Red Bulls U18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy team under the guidance of Head Coach Jeff Zaun. He was a key member of the U16 New York Red Bulls team that won back to back Atlantic Division Championships.

"Evan is a quick, athletic defender who has established himself as a starting right back in one of the premier academy teams in the country," McIntyre said. "Exposure to training and playing in this environment will benefit Evan as he transitions to the ACC."

Lukas Rubio –Liverpool, N.Y. – Liverpool High School
Rated as the No. 135 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, Rubio is captain of the Empire United U18 team of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Rubio has represented the Region 1 ODP team internationally on trips to Italy and Turkey and was selected to the ODP Interregional All-Star Team.

"I believe that our Syracuse program should be built from a simple foundation of keeping our best local players 'home' here in Syracuse," McIntyre said. "Lukas is a technically gifted player with excellent balance and the ability to select the correct pass. Lukas will take tremendous pride in representing Syracuse University and wearing our Syracuse shirt."

Nikolas Steiner – Baltimore, Md. – Friends School of Baltimore
Steiner is currently a member of the Baltimore Armour U18 team of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Steiner was an integral member of the Baltimore Celtic team that won the 2015 USYSA National Championship and secured the 2016 USYSA National League Championship.

"Nik is a powerful, athletic player that we have admired for a long time here on campus," McIntyre said. "We believe that he has a very high ceiling and the tools to make a successful transition into our team. He is a physical defender who wants to join the attack and he possesses the ability to connect positive passes. Nik is a player who can play a couple of different positions for us here at Syracuse and is constantly looking to improve his all-around game."

Simon Triantafillou – Burlington, Ontario, Canada – Corpus Christi Catholic SS
Triantafillou led Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School with 23 goals and 10 assists from his midfield position in 2016. Ranked as the No. 40 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, Triantafillou is a captain of his Sigma FC team coached by Bobby Smyrniotis and follows the path of Chris Nanco to Syracuse University.

"Simon provides our team additional drive and personality in the midfield," McIntyre said. "He has a terrific passing range with the ability to switch the play and connect our team from the back to the front. He has the energy and drive to make forward runs from deeper positions and unbalance defenses. I am looking forward to seeing Simon in a Syracuse shirt."

The Orange is coming off a season in which they posted a 12-4-4 record, earned the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season.

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Chris Nanco

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