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June 3, 2002 -- University of Delaware men's soccer head coach Marc Samonisky has announced the signing of four high school standouts to the NCAA National Letter of Intent to attend UD on athletic scholarships this coming fall.
Samonisky announced the signing of forward Ryan Edwards from St. Mark's High School in Wilmington; defender Eddie Cwiek from Old Bridge High School in Old Bridge, N.J.; midfielder Justin Arpan of Downingtown High School in Downingtown, Pa.; and midfielder J.D. Van Acker from Shawnee High School in Medford, N.J.
"J.D., Justin and Ryan bring us three players with skill, creativity and the ability to score and create goals," according to Samonisky, who will enter his 10th season at the helm of the Blue Hens this fall as Delaware begins play in the Colonial Athletic Association. "Eddie is a defender who is extremely athletic and should challenge for a central position in the defense. I expect all four players to challenge for starting positions right away."
Edwards was a standout at nearby St. Mark's High School under head coach Tom DeMatteis. He led St. Mark's to state championships in 2000 and 2001, was named first team All-State in 2001 and was a two-time all-conference selection.
Cwiek was a standout player and honor student at Old Bridge High School, where he played for head coach Rich Mould. The stopper on defense for Old Bridge, he was named to the Coaches' All-State team and was also an All-Red Division all-star and All-Greater Middlesex Conference all-star. His club team, the Ocean Stingrays, won Virginia tournaments in 1999 and 2000.
Arpan served as co-captain and played midfield at Downingtown as a senior in 2001, leading the Whippets to an undefeated regular season and the Ches-Mont League title. He scored five goals and had six assists and earned first team All-Ches Mont honors.
He transferred to Downingtown after playing three seasons at Centennial High School in Roswell, Ga. While at Centennial, he was a three-year varsity starter and led the team to two state playoff appearances. He had 16 goals and 29 assists during his career and earned All-Fulton County honorable mention honors as a senior.
He also earned his school's Scholar-Athlete Award twice and was selected to the state playoff's All-Tournament team as a sophomore.
Arpan has international experience, having participated in European tours in 1997 and 1999.
Van Acker played midfield at New Jersey state power Shawnee High School, leading the squad to a three-year varsity record of 63-9-2. The team went 25-2 this past season, capturing the South Jersey Triple Crown of Championships. He scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the state title game.
He led the team to three straight Olympic Conference titles and was named All-Olympic Conference, All-County, All-South Jersey and All-State Group IV as a senior.
Delaware will look to improve upon last season's 7-11-1 mark in which the Blue Hen narrowly missed a berth in the America East conference tournament.
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