Lehigh Men's Soccer Unveils Class of 2021
4/4/2017 2:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh men's soccer program and head coach Dean Koski has officially announced the addition of seven new Mountain Hawks that will comprise the Class of 2021. The class is made up of forwards, midfielders and defenders who hail from three different states, including three from the state of Pennsylvania.
"We are very excited about the incoming group of student-athletes and look forward to their inclusion to the men's soccer family," stated Koski. "Each of these freshmen bring a unique skill set and personality that we were looking for to bolster our roster, team culture and and positional depth. We are bringing in two center backs, three midfielders and three forwards, and expect some of the freshmen to compete for playing time during their first year."
"Every recruiting cycle affords us the opportunity to bring in new student-athletes who, at some point, will be impact players and leaders in our program," said Koski. "It is essential in their first year that they learn the ways of Lehigh, Patriot League and Division 1 soccer, while managing their academic workload and navigating the social opportunities on campus. We are confident that this group of freshmen will adjust quickly to college life at Lehigh"
Below is an introduction of each of the new eight student-athletes.
Stevo Bednarsky – Hackettstown, N.J. – Stronghold SC – Midfield
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High School/Club: First team All-State … Skylands Conference Player of the Year … Courier All-Area Player of the Year … Preseason All-American Team … Starter and Captain of Stronghold SC … 2016 New Jersey State Runner-Up.
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Personal: Parents Tony and Donna Bednarsky … Three siblings: brothers Peter and Andrew, sister Katy … Stevo comes from a very strong soccer family … His entire family has played or still is playing college soccer … Mom – UConn, Dad – Shippensburg, his two older brothers and sister – Stevens Tech, St. Lawrence & TCNJ … Four-year Honor Roll Student … Intended Major: Arts and Science (Undecided).
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Coach Koski on Stevo: Stevo will be a great midfield player for our team. Stevo is a very strong passer and ball striker with a high soccer IQ. He can control the middle of the field with his passing and game understanding and can also play box to box and score goals from outside and inside the box. His athleticism will help the team on both sides of the ball.
Jonathan Blaine – Kutztown, Pa. – Lehigh Valley United – DefenseÂ
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High School/Club: Three-year varsity captain … First Team All-Colonial League and All-Area in 2015 … First Team All-Colonial League, All-Area, and All-State 2016 … District XI Champions 2015 and 2016 … Morning Call and Times News player of the year in 2016 … 3A State Finalists 2016 … Jonathan's LVU '99 team is ranked 10th in the country, sixth in Region 1 and second in eastern Pa.
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Personal: Parents Ernest and Karen Blaine … three siblings: older sisters Cynthia Billone and Christine Erney, younger brother Jason … National Honor Society 2015-2017 … Key Club President 2015-2017… Future Business Leaders of America President … Intended Major: International Business.
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Coach Koski on Jonathan: Jonathan is a local player who we know very well having played with LVU for the past five years. He is a strong defender that has had an accomplished high school and club career. He is calm under pressure and a very good passer. Jonathan is a natural leader. He will bring size and athleticism to his center back position. He will add depth and versatility to our backline and potentially defensive midfield positions.
Trevor Koski – Bethlehem, Pa. – Lehigh Valley United – Midfield
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High School/Club: A consistent starter for both Liberty High School and LVU '99 … Liberty High School team captain … 2016 EPC All-League … 2016 All-Area team … Trevor's LVU '99 team is ranked 10th in the country, sixth in Region 1, and second in eastern Pa. … A LVU club teammate with Jonathan Blaine.
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Personal: Son of Head Coach Dean Koski and Mother Lisa Koski … Three brothers: Alec, Spencer and Blake … Alec currently attends Lehigh as a freshman … four-year Academic Honor Roll … Intended Major: Business/Finance.
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Coach Hess on Trevor: Trevor is an attacking central midfielder with the ability to unlock defense with his passing. He reads the game well and is very comfortable under pressure and with the ball at his feet. He has the ability to see and execute next level passes. Trevor will add great depth and attacking qualities to our central midfield.
Ikem Mbalewe – Montclair, N.J. – TSF Academy – Midfield/Forward
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High School/Club: 2016 Group 4 All-County … 2016 First Team All-State … Starter on TSF Academy … Participant in top club events Bethesda, Potomac, and Jefferson Cup … Named a Jefferson Cup Top 100 Player … Ikem's TSF '98 team is ranked 31st in the country, 15th in Region 1 and 6th in New Jersey.
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Personal: Mother Nadia Regazzin … one sibling, younger sister Amara … four-year Honor Society Member … Intended Major: Arts and Science (Undecided).
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Coach Koski on Ikem: Ikem has exceptional pace and an ability to run past opponents and unbalance defenses. He can play as a wide attacking player or a striker. He is a very good crosser of the ball and can get into positions to score goals himself. Ikem will be a dynamic attacking player in our team.
Blaise Milanek – Malvern, Pa. – FC Europa – MidfieldÂ
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High School/Club: Three-year varsity starter and senior captain … Three-time All-Central League Team member … All-Mainline First Team … League Champion sophomore, junior and senior seasons (2014-2016) … Captain and starter on FC Europa … 2016 EPYSA State Champion … '98 Region 1 ODP team member … '98/U17 Region 1 ODP Champion … Region 1 Select Team Regional Champions … Region 1 Select Team U19 International Tournament in Germany Participant … Varsity basketball player at Conestoga High School.
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Personal: Parents are Blaise Sr. and Amy Milanek … Two siblings: sister Cassie and brother Spencer … First Honors grades 9-12 … Intended major: Business (undecided).
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Coach Koski on Blaise: Blaise is a terrific midfield player who will fit in really well in our system. He has the flexibility to play a number of different central midfield roles. Blaise is technically sound and a confident player with the ball at his feet. He can play under pressure and dictate tempo. He also has an ability to facilitate the attack and score important goals from the midfield. Blaise has a great engine and work rate.
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Bratislav Petkovic – Ridgewood, N.Y. – NY Red Bull Academy – Forward
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High School/Club: Plays on one of the top academy teams and programs in the country, New York Red Bulls … Member of the 2014-2015 Generation Adidas Cup winning Red Bulls team … 2015-2016 Generation Adidas Cup 5th place with Red Bulls … A three-star rated player by Top Drawer Soccer.
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Personal: Parents Bojan and Natasa Petkovic … Two brothers: Veljko and Ognjen … Brother Veljko has participated in USA National Team Camps … Intended Major: Arts and Science (engineering/undecided).
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Coach Koski on Bratislav: Bratislav is a predator around the goal. He has the versatility to play as a center forward, a wide attacker or an attacking central midfielder. Bratislav is quick and clever and can make defenders miss. He moves well off the ball and is constantly looking to get into positions to score. He will bring experience from a high academy environment and add quality to our team in attack.
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Sam Steinberg – Dix Hills, N.Y. – Dix Hills SC – Midfield/Forward
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High School/Club: Four-year High School varsity starter … All-Conference, All-County, All-State player … Plays on one of the top club teams in the country, Dix Hills Hurricanes '99, as well as with the '99 Region 1 ODP team … ODP National Champion with Eastern New York 2016 … US Youth Soccer National Finalist and three-time NY State Champions … Sam's Dix Hills Hurricanes team is ranked fourth in the country, third in Region 1, and first in eastern N.Y.
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Personal: Parents Glenn and Robin Steinberg … One brother Ryan … National Honors Society … four years High Honor Roll … Intended Major: Business (undecided).
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Coach Koski on Sam: Sam is a versatile and dynamic attacking player. He plays on one of the top club teams in the country and consistently distinguishes himself as a top player in the age group. He can play wide or centrally and has an ability to contribute goals and assists from either position. Sam is fast and clever, uses both feet well and possesses great 1v1 abilities. He is smart and busy with his movement without the ball and is able to unlock defenses with his play. Sam will add additional quality to our attacking core.
Lehigh Men's Soccer Class of 2021
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"We are very excited about the incoming group of student-athletes and look forward to their inclusion to the men's soccer family," stated Koski. "Each of these freshmen bring a unique skill set and personality that we were looking for to bolster our roster, team culture and and positional depth. We are bringing in two center backs, three midfielders and three forwards, and expect some of the freshmen to compete for playing time during their first year."
"Every recruiting cycle affords us the opportunity to bring in new student-athletes who, at some point, will be impact players and leaders in our program," said Koski. "It is essential in their first year that they learn the ways of Lehigh, Patriot League and Division 1 soccer, while managing their academic workload and navigating the social opportunities on campus. We are confident that this group of freshmen will adjust quickly to college life at Lehigh"
Below is an introduction of each of the new eight student-athletes.
Stevo Bednarsky – Hackettstown, N.J. – Stronghold SC – Midfield
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High School/Club: First team All-State … Skylands Conference Player of the Year … Courier All-Area Player of the Year … Preseason All-American Team … Starter and Captain of Stronghold SC … 2016 New Jersey State Runner-Up.
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Personal: Parents Tony and Donna Bednarsky … Three siblings: brothers Peter and Andrew, sister Katy … Stevo comes from a very strong soccer family … His entire family has played or still is playing college soccer … Mom – UConn, Dad – Shippensburg, his two older brothers and sister – Stevens Tech, St. Lawrence & TCNJ … Four-year Honor Roll Student … Intended Major: Arts and Science (Undecided).
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Coach Koski on Stevo: Stevo will be a great midfield player for our team. Stevo is a very strong passer and ball striker with a high soccer IQ. He can control the middle of the field with his passing and game understanding and can also play box to box and score goals from outside and inside the box. His athleticism will help the team on both sides of the ball.
Jonathan Blaine – Kutztown, Pa. – Lehigh Valley United – DefenseÂ
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High School/Club: Three-year varsity captain … First Team All-Colonial League and All-Area in 2015 … First Team All-Colonial League, All-Area, and All-State 2016 … District XI Champions 2015 and 2016 … Morning Call and Times News player of the year in 2016 … 3A State Finalists 2016 … Jonathan's LVU '99 team is ranked 10th in the country, sixth in Region 1 and second in eastern Pa.
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Personal: Parents Ernest and Karen Blaine … three siblings: older sisters Cynthia Billone and Christine Erney, younger brother Jason … National Honor Society 2015-2017 … Key Club President 2015-2017… Future Business Leaders of America President … Intended Major: International Business.
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Coach Koski on Jonathan: Jonathan is a local player who we know very well having played with LVU for the past five years. He is a strong defender that has had an accomplished high school and club career. He is calm under pressure and a very good passer. Jonathan is a natural leader. He will bring size and athleticism to his center back position. He will add depth and versatility to our backline and potentially defensive midfield positions.
Trevor Koski – Bethlehem, Pa. – Lehigh Valley United – Midfield
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High School/Club: A consistent starter for both Liberty High School and LVU '99 … Liberty High School team captain … 2016 EPC All-League … 2016 All-Area team … Trevor's LVU '99 team is ranked 10th in the country, sixth in Region 1, and second in eastern Pa. … A LVU club teammate with Jonathan Blaine.
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Personal: Son of Head Coach Dean Koski and Mother Lisa Koski … Three brothers: Alec, Spencer and Blake … Alec currently attends Lehigh as a freshman … four-year Academic Honor Roll … Intended Major: Business/Finance.
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Coach Hess on Trevor: Trevor is an attacking central midfielder with the ability to unlock defense with his passing. He reads the game well and is very comfortable under pressure and with the ball at his feet. He has the ability to see and execute next level passes. Trevor will add great depth and attacking qualities to our central midfield.
Ikem Mbalewe – Montclair, N.J. – TSF Academy – Midfield/Forward
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High School/Club: 2016 Group 4 All-County … 2016 First Team All-State … Starter on TSF Academy … Participant in top club events Bethesda, Potomac, and Jefferson Cup … Named a Jefferson Cup Top 100 Player … Ikem's TSF '98 team is ranked 31st in the country, 15th in Region 1 and 6th in New Jersey.
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Personal: Mother Nadia Regazzin … one sibling, younger sister Amara … four-year Honor Society Member … Intended Major: Arts and Science (Undecided).
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Coach Koski on Ikem: Ikem has exceptional pace and an ability to run past opponents and unbalance defenses. He can play as a wide attacking player or a striker. He is a very good crosser of the ball and can get into positions to score goals himself. Ikem will be a dynamic attacking player in our team.
Blaise Milanek – Malvern, Pa. – FC Europa – MidfieldÂ
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High School/Club: Three-year varsity starter and senior captain … Three-time All-Central League Team member … All-Mainline First Team … League Champion sophomore, junior and senior seasons (2014-2016) … Captain and starter on FC Europa … 2016 EPYSA State Champion … '98 Region 1 ODP team member … '98/U17 Region 1 ODP Champion … Region 1 Select Team Regional Champions … Region 1 Select Team U19 International Tournament in Germany Participant … Varsity basketball player at Conestoga High School.
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Personal: Parents are Blaise Sr. and Amy Milanek … Two siblings: sister Cassie and brother Spencer … First Honors grades 9-12 … Intended major: Business (undecided).
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Coach Koski on Blaise: Blaise is a terrific midfield player who will fit in really well in our system. He has the flexibility to play a number of different central midfield roles. Blaise is technically sound and a confident player with the ball at his feet. He can play under pressure and dictate tempo. He also has an ability to facilitate the attack and score important goals from the midfield. Blaise has a great engine and work rate.
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Bratislav Petkovic – Ridgewood, N.Y. – NY Red Bull Academy – Forward
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High School/Club: Plays on one of the top academy teams and programs in the country, New York Red Bulls … Member of the 2014-2015 Generation Adidas Cup winning Red Bulls team … 2015-2016 Generation Adidas Cup 5th place with Red Bulls … A three-star rated player by Top Drawer Soccer.
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Personal: Parents Bojan and Natasa Petkovic … Two brothers: Veljko and Ognjen … Brother Veljko has participated in USA National Team Camps … Intended Major: Arts and Science (engineering/undecided).
Â
Coach Koski on Bratislav: Bratislav is a predator around the goal. He has the versatility to play as a center forward, a wide attacker or an attacking central midfielder. Bratislav is quick and clever and can make defenders miss. He moves well off the ball and is constantly looking to get into positions to score. He will bring experience from a high academy environment and add quality to our team in attack.
 Â
Sam Steinberg – Dix Hills, N.Y. – Dix Hills SC – Midfield/Forward
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High School/Club: Four-year High School varsity starter … All-Conference, All-County, All-State player … Plays on one of the top club teams in the country, Dix Hills Hurricanes '99, as well as with the '99 Region 1 ODP team … ODP National Champion with Eastern New York 2016 … US Youth Soccer National Finalist and three-time NY State Champions … Sam's Dix Hills Hurricanes team is ranked fourth in the country, third in Region 1, and first in eastern N.Y.
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Personal: Parents Glenn and Robin Steinberg … One brother Ryan … National Honors Society … four years High Honor Roll … Intended Major: Business (undecided).
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Coach Koski on Sam: Sam is a versatile and dynamic attacking player. He plays on one of the top club teams in the country and consistently distinguishes himself as a top player in the age group. He can play wide or centrally and has an ability to contribute goals and assists from either position. Sam is fast and clever, uses both feet well and possesses great 1v1 abilities. He is smart and busy with his movement without the ball and is able to unlock defenses with his play. Sam will add additional quality to our attacking core.
Lehigh Men's Soccer Class of 2021
| Name | Position | Hometown | College |
| Stevo Bednarsky | Midfield | Hackettstown, N.J. | Arts and Sciences |
| Jonathan Blaine | Defense | Kutztown, Pa. | Business |
| Trevor Koski | Midfield | Bethlehem, Pa. | Business |
| Ikem Mbalewe | Midfield/Forward | Montclair, N.J. | Arts and Sciences |
| Blaise Milanek | Midfield | Malvern, Pa. | Business |
| Bratislav Petkovic | Forward | Ridgewood, N.Y. | Arts and Sciences |
| Sam Steinberg | Midfield/Forward | Dix Hills, N.Y. | Business |
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