By: Jill Wunrow
GreenBayPhoenix.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Green Bay men's soccer head Coach Kris Kelderman has signed his first recruiting class as the leader of the Phoenix. The second year head coach graduated four seniors, including Horizon League Player of the year Tony Walls and Second Team All-League selection Stuart Grable and starter Tony Patterson. Kelderman and his staff look to fill those voids with six new signees.

"Looking forward to next year, we need to produce more goals replace three starting defensive players lost due to graduation," said Kelderman. "I feel that we have addressed our needs with this class."

The class of 2012 includes a pair of Canadians in Jordan Dover and Nicholas Axhorn, a pair of Minnesota players in Abdallah Bah and Hamad Jaman and Wisconsin natives Cheenuj Shong, and Chris Whalen.

"We're really excited about this group of guys; I feel we have players that can make an impact on this program immediately," Kelderman said. "Our expectations are that they can play a role from the very start."

NICK AXHORN (D) - Axhorn hails from Ontario, Canada and is a graduate of Dunbarton High School. A member of the Ajax FC club team, Axhorn was a part of the U18 national championship team that won two titles in three years.

Kelderman's Review:

• Complete player
• Plays center back for his club team but could be looked at as a defensive midfielder
• Great athlete; good size
• Technically sound
• Very comfortable on the ball

JORDAN DOVER (MF) - Dover graduated from J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate High School and is a teammate of Axhorn's on the Ajax FC club team in Ontario, Canada.

Kelderman's Review:

• View him as an attacking midfielder
• Able to play striker as well
• Very technical
• Can create plays and make other players around him better
• Good one-on-one ability

ABDALLAH BAH (D/M) - A graduate from Osseo High School in Minnesota, Bah is a product from the Minnesota Thunder Academy and US Academy league.

Keldermans' Review:

• Most experience centrally but can play anywhere in the back
• Has good soccer smarts
• Ability to play as a defensive midfielder
• Good technical ability

HAMAD JAMAN (F) - A transfer from Northern Iowa Area Community College, Jaman also plays on Kuwait's youth national team. Jaman brings both collegiate and national experience to Green Bay.

Kelderman's Review:

• Attacker that can play anywhere up front
• Experience also playing midfield
• Player that can impact offense immediately whether it's creating opportunities or finishing
• Technically sound
• Able to strike ball very well with both feet
• Plays with confidence and can take opponents one-on-one

CHEENUJ SHONG (F) - Shong comes to the Phoenix as a graduate from Ronald Reagan College Prep in Milwaukee. The forward scored 41 goals his senior year, leading his team to a 22-1 season. Shong plays for FC Milwaukee in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

Kelderman's Review:

• Incredibly quick
• Powerful shot
• Viewed as potential threat on the flanks
• Great finisher

CHRIS WHALEN (D) - One of two Wisconsin players in the class of 2012, Whalen is a graduate of Appleton North High School. Whalen will join former high school teammate and Horizon League All-Newcomer Team selection Kirby Allen (Appleton, Wis.) on the Phoenix roster. Whalen plays club soccer for PVYSC New United and was a Fox Valley All-Conference First Team selection

Kelderman's Review:

• Great physical attributes; strong, fast
• Will be thought of first as a defender but could play several positions
• Good feet
• Great in the air

###

For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix.

Like Green Bay Phoenix Men's Soccer and Green Bay Phoenix Athletics on Facebook.

 ---www.GreenBayPhoenix.com---