University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Nick Barbato
Men’s Soccer Welcomes Eight Newcomers Ahead of 2024 Season
7/22/2024 5:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEWARK, Del. – Eight newcomers will be joining the University of Delaware men's soccer team ahead of the 2024 season, head coach Tommy McMenemy announced Monday. Six freshmen are joined by a pair of transfers.
"This class reflects the values that we believe make successful student-athletes, soccer players, and young men, and that will continue to push the culture of this program forward." McMenemy said. "The group will add depth and quality to a strong returning group, and we hope that will lead to our most competitive squad to date."
Brady Costin | D | Wayne, Pa. | Conestoga | FC Delco MLS Next
Costin joins the Hens from Wayne, Pennsylvania. A two-time captain in his junior and senior years, Costin was named Pennsylvania Gatorade State Player of the Year, USC High School All-American, and PIAA State Player of the Year. As a defender, Costin won the Pennsylvania 4A State Championships with Conestoga in 2022 and 2024 and played in the MLS Next U19 Final in the summer of 2023.
"Brady is an athletic, ball-playing defender with equal comfort at center-back and full-back," McMenemy said. "He possesses excellent technique and is composed in possession."
Stephen Deak | GK | Old Bridge, N.J. | Old Bridge | Matchfit Academy ECNL
Deak joins the Hens from Old Bridge High School, where he celebrated many championships as an all state goalkeeper, his most recent team accomplishment being the reigning Northeast Champions of 2023, and ECNL State Cup Champions of 2022. Deak was a member of Matchfit Academy and advanced to ECNL playoffs in 2022 and 2023.
"Stephen is a strong shot stopper, good communicator and a huge presence in the goal at 6 '4," McMenemy said. "He has an excellent feel for the game, and his distribution both short and long offers a threat in possession."
Jaydon Fuller | F | Eastbourne, East Sussex | Cavendish | Brighton and Hove Albion
Fuller joins the Hens from East Sussex and the English Premier League Academy, Brighton and Hove Albion. Fuller spent six years at Brighton from Under 13 - Under 19 and has training experience with the Under 21's as well as the first team. He was a member of the Wales Under 19 national team attending four national team camps and earning five caps with his first coming against England in 2021.
"Jaydon is a center-forward with game-changing capabilities," McMenemy said. "His speed and movement are excellent and he finishes well with both feet. He brings others into the game extremely well with his hold up play, as well as offering a threat in behind."
Jordan Illian | M | Millsboro, Del. | Indian River | South Carolina
A Delaware native, Illian joins the Hens after one year at South Carolina having played in 18 games and producing 3 goals and 3 assists. In addition to being named a Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week, Illian was named a TopDrawerSoccer Top 100 freshman in 2023. Prior to college, Illian played at Sporting Delaware where he was a captain and starter, making first team Northeastern ECNL All-Conference.
"Jordan is a versatile left-sided player who can offer an attacking threat from advanced or deep-lying areas," McMenemy said. "He's hard working, competitive and possesses a great end product from wide areas."
Rocco Pastore | M | Joppa, Md. | Calvert Hall | Pipeline SC ECNL
Pastore joins the Hens as a decorated starter for Pipeline Soccer Club ECNL. Attending Calvert Hall, Pastore was a MIAA All-American in 2022, two-time MIAA Champion, and was ranked #1 nationwide with his team in 2022. As a member of ECNL, Pastore was awarded First Team All-Conference, and played in the national selection game.
"Rocco is a tough two-way midfielder with an ability to turn defense into attack," McMenemy said. "He is as comfortable breaking up plays defensively as he is dictating the temp of play in possession."
Anthony Rowan | D | Connellsville, Pa. | Connellsville | Florida Gulf Coast
Rowan joins the Hens from Connellsville, Pennsylvania. The defender joins the Blue Hens as a graduate student after two seasons at Florida Gulf Coast and two seasons at Marshall University. After winning a national championship with Marshall in 2021, Rowan transferred to FGCU and featured in 30 games over two seasons.
"Anthony is an experienced and versatile defender with great natural aggression in 1v1 situations," McMenemy said. "He is an excellent communicator and on-field leader with a big personality."
Marius Stenner | F | Svendborg, Denmark | Svendborg Handelsgymnasium | Svendborg fB - OURE FA
Stenner joins the Hens from Svendborg, Denmark. While at Svendborg Handelsgymnasium, Stenner was a top scorer of the third division in 2022, as well as Danish school champion in 2023. At the club level, he spent a combined eight years with Svenbord fB - OURE FA and one season with Vejle Boldklub.
"Marius is an exciting attacking player who likes to offer a threat in behind centrally and from wide areas," McMenemy said. "He is powerful in the air, and possesses speed, power and a hunger to score goals."
Alex Taylor | D | Newtown, Mass. | Worcester Academy | Valeo NPSL
Taylor joins the Hens from Worcester Academy in Worcester. As a starter for NEFC ECNL, Taylor was a northeast ECNL champion and played in the semi-finals at nationals in 2023. He has spent the spring and summer of 2024 playing for Valeo NPSL.
"Alex possesses all the tools to succeed at the collegiate level," McMenemy said. "He has quality distribution, excellent athleticism and good aggression."
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware men's soccer, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
"This class reflects the values that we believe make successful student-athletes, soccer players, and young men, and that will continue to push the culture of this program forward." McMenemy said. "The group will add depth and quality to a strong returning group, and we hope that will lead to our most competitive squad to date."
Brady Costin | D | Wayne, Pa. | Conestoga | FC Delco MLS Next
Costin joins the Hens from Wayne, Pennsylvania. A two-time captain in his junior and senior years, Costin was named Pennsylvania Gatorade State Player of the Year, USC High School All-American, and PIAA State Player of the Year. As a defender, Costin won the Pennsylvania 4A State Championships with Conestoga in 2022 and 2024 and played in the MLS Next U19 Final in the summer of 2023.
"Brady is an athletic, ball-playing defender with equal comfort at center-back and full-back," McMenemy said. "He possesses excellent technique and is composed in possession."
Stephen Deak | GK | Old Bridge, N.J. | Old Bridge | Matchfit Academy ECNL
Deak joins the Hens from Old Bridge High School, where he celebrated many championships as an all state goalkeeper, his most recent team accomplishment being the reigning Northeast Champions of 2023, and ECNL State Cup Champions of 2022. Deak was a member of Matchfit Academy and advanced to ECNL playoffs in 2022 and 2023.
"Stephen is a strong shot stopper, good communicator and a huge presence in the goal at 6 '4," McMenemy said. "He has an excellent feel for the game, and his distribution both short and long offers a threat in possession."
Jaydon Fuller | F | Eastbourne, East Sussex | Cavendish | Brighton and Hove Albion
Fuller joins the Hens from East Sussex and the English Premier League Academy, Brighton and Hove Albion. Fuller spent six years at Brighton from Under 13 - Under 19 and has training experience with the Under 21's as well as the first team. He was a member of the Wales Under 19 national team attending four national team camps and earning five caps with his first coming against England in 2021.
"Jaydon is a center-forward with game-changing capabilities," McMenemy said. "His speed and movement are excellent and he finishes well with both feet. He brings others into the game extremely well with his hold up play, as well as offering a threat in behind."
Jordan Illian | M | Millsboro, Del. | Indian River | South Carolina
A Delaware native, Illian joins the Hens after one year at South Carolina having played in 18 games and producing 3 goals and 3 assists. In addition to being named a Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week, Illian was named a TopDrawerSoccer Top 100 freshman in 2023. Prior to college, Illian played at Sporting Delaware where he was a captain and starter, making first team Northeastern ECNL All-Conference.
"Jordan is a versatile left-sided player who can offer an attacking threat from advanced or deep-lying areas," McMenemy said. "He's hard working, competitive and possesses a great end product from wide areas."
Rocco Pastore | M | Joppa, Md. | Calvert Hall | Pipeline SC ECNL
Pastore joins the Hens as a decorated starter for Pipeline Soccer Club ECNL. Attending Calvert Hall, Pastore was a MIAA All-American in 2022, two-time MIAA Champion, and was ranked #1 nationwide with his team in 2022. As a member of ECNL, Pastore was awarded First Team All-Conference, and played in the national selection game.
"Rocco is a tough two-way midfielder with an ability to turn defense into attack," McMenemy said. "He is as comfortable breaking up plays defensively as he is dictating the temp of play in possession."
Anthony Rowan | D | Connellsville, Pa. | Connellsville | Florida Gulf Coast
Rowan joins the Hens from Connellsville, Pennsylvania. The defender joins the Blue Hens as a graduate student after two seasons at Florida Gulf Coast and two seasons at Marshall University. After winning a national championship with Marshall in 2021, Rowan transferred to FGCU and featured in 30 games over two seasons.
"Anthony is an experienced and versatile defender with great natural aggression in 1v1 situations," McMenemy said. "He is an excellent communicator and on-field leader with a big personality."
Marius Stenner | F | Svendborg, Denmark | Svendborg Handelsgymnasium | Svendborg fB - OURE FA
Stenner joins the Hens from Svendborg, Denmark. While at Svendborg Handelsgymnasium, Stenner was a top scorer of the third division in 2022, as well as Danish school champion in 2023. At the club level, he spent a combined eight years with Svenbord fB - OURE FA and one season with Vejle Boldklub.
"Marius is an exciting attacking player who likes to offer a threat in behind centrally and from wide areas," McMenemy said. "He is powerful in the air, and possesses speed, power and a hunger to score goals."
Alex Taylor | D | Newtown, Mass. | Worcester Academy | Valeo NPSL
Taylor joins the Hens from Worcester Academy in Worcester. As a starter for NEFC ECNL, Taylor was a northeast ECNL champion and played in the semi-finals at nationals in 2023. He has spent the spring and summer of 2024 playing for Valeo NPSL.
"Alex possesses all the tools to succeed at the collegiate level," McMenemy said. "He has quality distribution, excellent athleticism and good aggression."
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware men's soccer, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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