CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois head men's soccer coach Adam Howarth has announced the signing of six players to his 2011 roster.

The class includes three players from the state of Illinois in Will Butler (Bolingbrook, Ill./Nequa Valley HS), Spencer Filosa (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Palatine Fremd HS) and Jake Irwin (Normal, Ill./Normal HS). The three out of state players include Jake Brillhart (Southlake, Texas/Southlake Carroll HS), Garet Christianson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Kennedy HS) and Justin Zeis (Mendota Heights, Minn./Henry Sibley HS).

2011 EIU MEN'S SOCCER CLASS

Name	Ht.	Wt.	Pos.	Hometown/High School
Jake Brillhart	5'10"	155	M	Southlake, Texas/Southlake Carroll HS
Will Butler	5'9"	150	M/F	Bolingbrook, Ill./Nequa Valley HS
Garet Christianson	6'1"	150	F	Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Kennedy HS
Spencer Filosa	5'10"	165	M/F	Hoffman Estates, Ill./Palatine Fremd HS
Jake Irwin	6'2"	160	D/M	Normal, Ill./Normal HS
Justin Zeis	6'0"	170	D	Mendota Heights, Minn./Henry Sibley HS

Jake Brillhart

Height: 5'10”
Weight: 155
Position: Midfielder
Hometown/High School: Southlake, Texas/Southlake Carroll HS
Club Team: DFW Tornadoes 

Was named to the all-district first team in 2011… selected as team captain during senior season… helped guide his squad to a Texas 5A State Title in 2011... selected to the Fort Worth All-Area Super Team during senior campaign… led team to a 2010 co-district championship while advancing to the regional tournament… was also a member of the DFW Tornadoes… was an ODP Member from 2005-11.

Coach Howarth's Thoughts on Brillhart…
”Jake is coming to EIU after winning a state championship with his high school team. He is technically very sound and has the ability to thread the needle from his midfield spot. His smoothness and calmness on the field will add a lot to our team this fall.” 




Will Butler

Height: 5'9”
Weight: 150
Position: Midfield/Forward
Hometown/High School: Bolingbrook, Ill./Nequa Valley HS
Club: Chicago Fire Juniors

Was named to the all-conference, all-sectional and all-area teams in 2011 by the Chicago Tribune… selected to the all-area and all-conference teams during his junior season by the Daily Herald… helped his team to three Illinois State Cup Titles from 2007-09, including a third-place finish in 2007 at the national championships… was a member of four regional and sectional championship teams from 2008-11… played for the Chicago Fire Juniors.

Coach Howarth's Thoughts on Butler…
“I have seen a lot of Will and the more I see him play the more noise he makes on the field. He is your typical hardworking, technical forward/winger. His ability to chase people down and make something out of nothing will be a fantastic addition to our team. Coming from the Fire Junior program and an excellent coach in high school (Tony Kees, Nequa Valley) he will challenge right away.”

Garet Christianson

Height: 6'1”
Weight: 150
Position: Forward
Hometown/High School: Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Kennedy HS
Club: West Des Moines Soccer Club

Currently playing senior soccer season at Cedar Rapids Kennedy HS… plays on a squad that currently ranks second in the state of Iowa in scoring… led West Des Moines Soccer Club to a state title in 2011… was a state and regional ODP Player for Iowa soccer from 2008-11… played for the West Des Moines Soccer Club.

Coach Howarth's Thoughts on Christianson…
“Garet comes from a strong soccer family and has played a lot of soccer over the past few years. He reads the game well and can play in any attacking position for us. He has scored goals in big matches and is currently banging in goals for his high school team. He will be a nice addition to our forward core and will look to push our forwards right away.”


Spencer Filosa 

Height: 5'10”
Weight: 165
Position: Midfield/Forward
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, Ill./Palatine Fremd HS
Club: Chicago Magic Academy

Named to the NSCAA All-Midwest Team and the IHSSCA All-State Team in 2010… selected as the Mid Suburban League Player of the Year during senior season… was a two-year captain for his high school team from 2009-10… played for the Chicago Magic Academy.

Coach Howarth's Thoughts on Filosa…
“Spencer is a player we identified thru ODP and our camp and had a tremendous high school season this past fall. He was one of the premier players in the highly competitive MSL conference and has come highly regarded by former EIU soccer great Gerado Pagnagni. I am excited to add a player of his quality to our program.”




Jake Irwin 

Height: 6'2”
Weight: 160
Position: Defender/Midfield
Hometown/High School: Normal, Ill./Normal
Club Team: Chicago Fire Juniors

Was selected to the all-area and all-sectional teams in 2009 and 2010… earned all-state honorable mention accolades during senior season… named the all-conference defender of the year during junior campaign… served as team captain in 2010… selected as his team's most valuable player and best defender senior season… played for the Chicago Fire Juniors.

Coach Howarth's Thoughts on Irwin…
“I saw Jake play in a MRL match a few springs ago and was really amazed at his strength and his ability to serve a ball precisely. In Division I soccer, restarts and set plays are a big part of the game and his ability to serve a ball with both feet will add an extra dimension to our team.”




Justin Zeis 

Height: 6'0”
Weight: 170
Position: Defender
Hometown/High School: Mendota Heights, Minn./Henry Sibley HS

Was selected to the all-area team in 2010… served as a team captain during senior season… earned team and all-conference MVP honors in 2010… was selected to the all-conference team from 2008-09… named his team's defensive player of the year from 2008-09.

Coach Howarth's Thoughts on Zeis…
“Justin was identified at our winter camp and through his high school coach, Terry Dowd. He is a strong, hard nosed athletic defender who is starting to peak at the right time. He can play in any of the back positions and also has the ability to play more forward. His strength and athleticism will be an instant asset to the team.”