July 22, 2015 LOUDONVILLE, N.Y.-- Siena Men's Soccer Head Coach Cesar Markovic has announced the additions of five student athletes who will join the Saints this fall. Sophomore Gianni Carillo and freshmen Adel Cekic, J.C. Obregon, Ryan Radwan and Marko Stojanovic are the newest members of the Siena Soccer program.
"The soccer IQ and comfort on the ball of all the newcomers is above average," explained Markovic, who enters his third season leading the Saints. "We hope that this group can truly serve as a great compliment to the talented group of returnees we have and the style of play that we've developed over the last two years."
Rated a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com, Carillo will have three years of eligibility with the Saints. A goalkeeper out of Pine Bush, N.Y. (Pine Bush), Carillo was a teammate of current Saint Alexander Tejera for the top ranked United States Soccer Development Academy team in the country, the New York Red Bulls. He was also a member of both the U14 and U15 United States Men's Soccer National Teams.
"Gianni's athleticism is unmatched," said Markovic. "He plays the position in a way that's exciting and unique. His command of his feet makes him like an extra field player. His distribution is second to none."
A local product from Clifton Park, N.Y., Cekic helped guide Shenendehowa to the Section II Class AA Championship and the New York State Class AA Semifinals last fall. Named a Saratogian All-Star Honorable Mention, Cekic was a key cog on a Shenendehowa defense which recorded 12 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals in 21 matches which included a 400-minute plus playoff shutout streak. Cekic played his club soccer for NY Elite FC Fire.
"Adel has a very high IQ," noted Markovic. "He reads the game extremely well. His anticipation is top level and his decision making on the ball makes him a good choice coming out of the back."
Obregon netted 21 goals and nine assists in being named a First Team All-Queens, CHSAA All-Star and an MSG All-Metro Honorable Mention selection in leading Christ the King to a second place finish in Brooklyn/Queens as a senior. A midfielder from Brooklyn, N.Y., Obregon was named the 2014 Super Y League Golden Boot winner after netting five goals in leading his Metropolitan Oval Academy 98 squad to the Super Y League National Championship. Obregon was also a member of the 2014 Super Y League US National ODP and LIAC New York teams and was a 2015 Viareggio Cup Participant. As a high school junior, he was named an MSG All-Metro Second Team honoree after scoring nine goals and 11 assists in leading Christ the King to the CHSAA Class AA Semifinals and was also the leading scorer in the Super Y League. Obregon is a member of the U20 Honduras National Team.
"J.C. is a very charismatic player," commented Markovic. "He controls the game with his quick ball movement and comfort on the ball. He has a tremendous shot and the ability to change the game in an instant."
A four-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, Radwan was named a 2014 Poughkeepsie Journal All-Star Honorable Mention and an All-Section selection at Beacon High. A midfielder from Wappingers Falls, N.Y., Radwan started for his USSDA Everton FC Westchester club. A US Region1 ODP Pool and Eastern New York ODP competitor, he was named a Super Y National ODP Select Camp and US Club Soccer id2 Camp Select player.
"Ryan is a crafty left footed player with the ability to break people down individually," explained Markovic. "Adding him adds great depth to the left side of the field."
A native of Novi Sad, Serbia, Stojanovic becomes the Saints' ninth international student athlete and third Serbian on the 2015 roster. Stojanovic played his high school soccer for Our Savior New American in Centereach, N.Y. where he was named his team's MVP, a PSAA All-Conference and an NACA All-Tournament Team selection. A two-time All-Rush Team honoree for his exemplary play with his Stony Brook Rush SC Club team, Stojanovic is a member of the FK Vojvodina Youth Academy.
"Marko is a quick, clever, two-way midfielder," said Markovic. "He has exceptional vision and the ability to recuperate balls very quickly on the defensive end."
The quintet joins a Siena Soccer squad coming off of a 10-win season in 2014, which tied for the second most victories in program history. The Saints, which return nine starters and six of their top-seven scorers from a year ago, kick off their 2015 season on Aug. 28 at Rutgers.
