Bowling Green State University Athletics
Nichols, Falcons Announce Men's Soccer Recruiting Class
February 03, 2010 | Men's Soccer
Bowling Green State University men's soccer coach Eric Nichols and his staff have announced the addition of eight student-athletes during the February signing period. Ryan Comiskey (Grantville, Pa./Northern Lebanon), Jacob Eganhouse (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis De Sales), Sam Galloway (Copley, Ohio/Copley), Matt Griesinger (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville), Keegan Ross (Pickerington, Ohio/North), Zach Schewee (Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek), Ryan Snashall (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) and Mike Wiest (Naperville, Ill./North) have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Falcons this fall.
“This recruiting class is very important for BGSU soccer, and it is exciting to announce the group that will be the cornerstone of our rebuilding efforts,” said Nichols. “The common thread among all these guys is that each of them have tremendously high standards for themselves and share our desire to reestablish Bowling Green as a championship caliber program.
“They have each experienced a great deal of success in their high school and club careers, and they chose Bowling Green because they believe this is the place where they can continue to reach their personal goals.”
Five of the eight players have a connection to BGSU soccer alumni. Comiskey played club ball for the Falcons' all-time leading scorer, Steve Klein, while Eganhouse, Griesinger and Snashall all played under the direction of former BG standout Andrew Arthurs. Wiest's high-school coach is former Falcon Jim Konrad, and he has played club soccer for another former BGSU standout, Brett Strang.
Comiskey, a forward, was an All-Pennsylvania and NSCAA/adidas All-Region selection as a senior at Northern Lebanon H.S. A four-year starter, he had 11 goals and six assists as a junior, and exploded for a school-record 38 goals during his senior season. Comiskey finished his career with 56 goals and 13 assists for the Vikings, and was named the Lancaster-Lebanon League Player of the Year in 2009. He played club ball for the PA Classics (coached by Steve Klein), and spent three years on the USSF Developmental Academy Team. Comiskey had two years of Olympic Development Program (ODP) experience at the state level prior to Academy. In the classroom, he has been on the Superior Honor Roll during his entire high-school career.
“Ryan is a physical presence with a proven ability to score goals,” said Nichols. “What makes him so dangerous is his ability to score with either foot as well as with his head.”
Eganhouse, a defender/midfielder, was a two-time All-Ohio selection – and an NSCAA All-American – at St. Francis De Sales H.S., and was the Ohio Division II Player of the Year as a senior in 2009. He had five goals and 12 assists in helping the Stallions to the 2009 Division II state championship, after the team had posted semifinal appearances in each of the previous two years. De Sales outscored opponents, 26-0, in six postseason games during the '09 run to the title. A two-time All-District and All-Central Catholic League selection, Eganhouse and the Stallions went 63-13-9 overall and 19-0-1 in CCL play during his four years. His club-team experience includes stints with Ambassador SC and Team Ohio FC, as well as with the Columbus Crew Academy. Eganhouse was a part of state championship teams with both Ambassador (2006) and Team Ohio (2007 and '08), and also has participated with Ohio ODP at the state and regional levels.
“Jacob is a player who possesses all the intangibles,” said Nichols. “He is competitive, technical and athletic. Jacob is very versatile, but will see most action in the midfield or in the back.”
Galloway, a midfielder, earned First-Team All-Ohio honors at Copley H.S., and was a three-time All-Suburban League and two-time all-district selection for the Indians. He played primarily as the team's center back as a freshman, as center midfielder in each of the next two years and at a forward spot as a senior. Galloway had 14 goals and nine assists in that senior season. Copley went 20-2-6 in the SL and won two league titles during his four years. Galloway was named his team's “Mr. Defense” as a freshman and “Mr. Offense” on two occasions. He has played club ball for the Ohio Select FC as well as Internationals Academy, winning state titles in both 2006 and '07.
“Sam is a technical player who has a great soccer mind,” said Nichols. “We like him as a central midfielder, but he has the versatility to play in the back and even up front.”
Griesinger, a defender, was a 2009 NSCAA Scholastic All-American at Strongsville H.S., and helped the Mustangs to four conference titles in as many years. He holds the school's career record for most games played (79). An All-Northeast Ohio Conference selection in 2009, Griesinger helped SHS to a four-year record of 57-10-14 overall and 19-0-3 in the league. He had 10 career goals and 11 assists, including a five-goal, eight-assist campaign as a junior. The Mustangs won four sectional championships, two district titles and a pair of regional crowns. A National Honor Society member, Griesinger has played club ball for the Crew Soccer Academy in the last two years, after spending the bulk of the decade with Cleveland United Soccer Club. He has ODP experience at the state level as well.
“Matt is an intelligent defender with the ability to play as an outside back or as a center back,” said Nichols. “He reads the game extremely well and is a very good organizer.”
Ross, a midfielder/forward, earned three letters at Pickerington North H.S., earning All-Ohio Second-Team honors as a junior in 2008. Ross, who was slowed by injury as a senior, also had earned all-league and All-Central District honors in that '08 season. A National Honor Society member, he had five goals as a sophomore and 13 as a junior. The team finished second in the OCC in each of the last three years. Ross played club soccer for the Eagles Blue SC and Cosa Express FC, with 35 goals and 15 assists in U-17 action.
“Keegan is a dynamic player who has great speed and balance,” said Nichols. “He can beat players with the dribble and score goals with either foot.”
Schewee, a defender/midfielder, earned All-Michigan Third-Team honors as a senior at Stoney Creek H.S. He scored 11 goals and added 10 assists as the Cougars went 14-4-4 and lost in a shootout in the division playoffs. A four-year letterwinner, Schewee was a team co-captain as a senior. He played club ball for Vardar Academy.
“Zach is a smart player with a strong will to compete,” said Nichols. “He can play on the flank or as an attacking outside back and is very effective attacking from wide areas.”
Snashall, a midfielder, was an All-Ohio Second-Team selection in his senior year at Dublin Coffman H.S. After earning all-conference (OCC Central) honorable mention as a junior, he was a first-team choice as a senior in 2009, and also made the all-district first team. A team captain as a senior, he helped the Shamrocks to district championships in both 2007 and '08 and a runner-up finish in '09. Snashall scored eight goals in each of his last three seasons, adding 10 assists as a senior. He has played club ball with Ambassador SC, Team Ohio FC and Crew Soccer Academy.
“Ryan is a creative player who can unlock things with his passing or by running with the ball,” said Nichols. “He has the versatility to play centrally in midfield or out wide as a midfielder or attacking back.”
Wiest, a goalkeeper, helped Naperville North H.S. to the sectional semifinals in 2009. He backstopped the Huskies, coached by Jim Konrad, to a 16-3-2 record, and put together a streak of eight consecutive shutouts during the season. Weist finished with a total of 14 shutouts on the year, and was named to the Sun-Times All-Area Team. Weist has played club ball for the Galaxy Soccer Club, with Brett Strang being one of his coaches, and helped that team to a state cup semifinal appearance in 2009 after trips to the quarterfinals in each of the prior two seasons. Weist is a three-year member of the Honor Roll at Naperville North.
“Michael has the potential to be an outstanding goalkeeper,” said Nichols. “He has size and athleticism, as well as an aggressive demeanor. We are excited to see these tools translate to the college level.
“We are extremely happy with this class, and we are excited to begin working with them in August.”
The Falcons finished the 2009 season with an overall record of 3-12-3 and a Mid-American Conference mark of 2-3-1. Nichols and assistant coach Paul Habrecht lose the services of six seniors off that squad.
BGSU MEN'S SOCCER NEWCOMERS
Name Pos. Hometown (High School)
Ryan Comiskey F Grantville, Pa. (Northern Lebanon)
Jacob Eganhouse D/M Westerville, Ohio (St. Francis De Sales)
Sam Galloway M Copley, Ohio (Copley)
Matt Griesinger D Strongsville, Ohio (Strongsville)
Keegan Ross M/F Pickerington, Ohio (North)
Zach Schewee D/M Rochester, Mich. (Stoney Creek)
Ryan Snashall M Dublin, Ohio (Coffman)
Mike Wiest GK Naperville, Ill. (North)
