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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – An incoming class of 10 joins the Lehigh men’s soccer program for the 2022 season and beyond, announced Friday by the Ingrassia Family Men’s Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. The class, which features student-athletes from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and The Netherlands, has a mix of forwards, midfielders, defenders and a goalkeeper to replace a graduating senior class of seven from the 2021 campaign.
“I’d like to welcome these 10 incoming first-year student-athletes to the Lehigh men’s soccer program for the fall 2022 season,” said Koski. “The 2022 prospects across our country were the most disaffected group of young players as a result of the pandemic. For the better part of a year, we were not permitted to recruit off campus and consequently, our ability to see these players compete in regional and national competitions was limited early on.
“However, we had already identified these prospects prior to the pandemic and once we were permitted to get out and recruit again, we already knew our top pool of players. Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Coach Ryan Hess, former Assistant Coach Chris Tadley and I was able to make final decisions, arrange on-campus visits and solidify commitments for these young men and in spite of the recruiting challenges, this is a terrific class of student-athletes. They may forever be known as the Pandemic 10!”
Matthew Aitchison-Bethlehem, Pa. – St Stephen’s Episcopal School – Lonestar SC – D
Aitchison has had a unique journey to Lehigh, as he joins the program from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Texas, though he is a local prospect previously from Moravian Academy. He played with Lonestar SC out of Austin, Texas and his team has competed at the top level of both DA and ECNL. Aitchison was named Texas U-17 1st Team All-Conference for his performances last season. Matthew will be joining the program as a part of a three-generation Lehigh family.
Coach Koski on Aitchison- “I’m so pleased to welcome Matthew to the program, having known him since he was a child attending the Lehigh Soccer Academy. Matthew has developed into a very confident and mature player and person in his time in Texas and will add grit and leadership to our backline.”
Tommy Chyzowych – Red Bank, NJ – Holmdel High School – Dutchmen FC – GK
Chyzowych is one of five players in the class from New Jersey, a product of Holmdel High School and playing in USYS with Dutchmen FC. He has helped to develop his club team into one of the top teams in the country while earning All-State honors for his performances with Holmdel.
Coach Koski on Chyzowych – “Tommy has a great presence in the goal, not just with his sheer size, but also his communication and control of the box. He has good feet and distribution for a young man of his size, and is a very strong shot stopper. As the lone goalkeeper in his class, we have high expectations for Tommy and expect him to improve the group of goalkeepers in the program.”
Sam Davis – Frisco, Texas – Memorial High School – Solar SC MLS Next – D
Davis joins the program from Texas out of Memorial High School. He has played with both his high school team and Solar SC in the MLS Next league. Davis was named the ISD Defensive MVP for his performances with his high school team, while also earning a USYNT Regional Camp call up during his time with Solar. He helped his Solar team earn a playoff stop in the summer of 2021.
Coach Koski on Davis – “Sam is an exciting prospect to add to our program. He has the physical tools and intangibles to be successful in our league and beyond. Sam is a center-back who excels at the responsibilities of defending. He’s tough in the tackle, strong in the air, and very good at defending crosses. Sam is a humble and hard-working young man who will lead by example and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Yusef Gueye – Ridgewood, NJ – Ridgewood High School – Cedar Stars Bergen MLS Next – M
Gueye attends Ridgewood High School and plays with Cedar Stars Bergen in the MLS Next league. Yusef is a starter and top performer on his team, which has consistently been one of the top non-MLS academies in the country. Yusef helped his team qualify for playoffs in Summer 2021 and are on the way to qualifying for another strong playoff place for summer 2022.
Coach Koski on Gueye – “Yusef is a highly talented left-footed player. We have watched him play in different roles, wide, in midfield or up front, and he has a tremendously high ceiling. Yusef is a very fast player and can create chances and score goals in transition or against organized defenses, while not neglecting his defensive responsibilities for his team. We think that he can develop into a very strong left back at the Division 1 level as well.”
Ryan Kuldanek – Tinton Falls, NJ – Monmouth Regional High School – Real NJ MLS Next – M
Kuldanek arrives to South Mountain from Monmouth Regional High School and Real NJ MLS Next as a teammate of fellow incoming class of 2022 member Jarman Reilly. He has helped his team reach the peak of USYS as Back-to-Back National Champions (2019 & 2021) as well as multiple State and Regional Championships. Kuldanek’s team has recently made the jump to MLS Next where he continues to distinguish himself as a top player in the age group.
Coach Koski on Kuldanek – “Ryan is the type of midfield player that every good team needs. He is an excellent passer and controls the tempo of matches very well, is always available for the ball and wants the responsibility of receiving and playing under pressure. He also plays with an edge to his game and doesn’t shy away from the physical and defensive side of the game.Our team is graduating some excellent central midfield players and I’m looking forward to seeing how Ryan can step in to help improve the position and the group overall.”
Noah Levy – Scotch Plains, NJ – Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School – PDA MLS Next – M
Levy is another player joining the Mountain Hawks from New Jersey out of Scotch Plains and one of the top clubs in the country, PDA. He has been a consistent starter on his PDA team that finished as National MLS Next Cup Finalists, ultimately losing out on penalties to Orlando City SC.
Coach Koski on Levy – “Noah is the type of player who makes all the players around him better, both as a hard-working teammate and high character young man. He is an understated but very valuable defensive midfield player. Noah is a high IQ Player who puts himself in positions to sniff out danger and allow the attacking players to have freedom. Similar to Ryan Kuldanek, I hope Noah can help fill the gap that some important midfield players have left through graduation.”
Jason Pynadath – Amsterdam, Netherlands – The International School of Amsterdam – Wooter Academy U23 – M
Pynadath will join the program from Amsterdam, Netherlands, by way of Bay Area California. He has experience playing soccer all over the world and has competed against top clubs such as Ajax and Eintracht Frankfurt with his current U23 Academy team Wooter Academy. Pynadath excels as a student at the International School of Amsterdam and comes from a strong soccer family, as his brother Joshua is a US Youth International who came up through the Ajax youth system.
Coach Koski on Pynadath – “Jason should be an exciting addition to the program and our attacking group. He attended our ID Camp this summer and it was clear from the start that he was a special player. We were especially excited about his confidence and quality with the ball, given that he hadn’t played a match in over a year due to COVID restrictions in the Netherlands.Jason is a high-character young man, who is very motivated as a player and we’re looking forward to integrating him into the team.”
Jarman Reilly – Linwood, NJ – Mainland Regional High School – Real NJ MLS Next – M
Reilly will join the program from Mainland High School, the same school as current standout forward Jack Sarkos. He has played with a few clubs at the DA and MLS Next level; Philadelphia Union, Cedar Stars Monmouth, and most recently with Real NJ. Reilly has been a USYNT Regional Training Center invitee and is a club teammate of future Mountain Hawk Ryan Kuldanek.
Coach Koski on Reilly – “Jarman will be a welcome addition to the team and the program. Since the time that our staff first watched him, we’ve seen him be effective as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, outside back and winger. He Jarman has a team-first attitude that will no doubt improve our program.”
Peter Tichy – Bethlehem, Pa. – Freedom High School – Lehigh Valley United – F
Tichy is a local prospect, attending Freedom High School and playing with Lehigh Valley United under Coach Ryan Hess. He had one of the best high school senior seasons a local player has ever had earning All-Region and All-State honors, East Penn Conference MVP, Lehigh Valley Live Player of the Year and Morning Call Player of the Year selections. Tichy comes to Lehigh as a legacy student, as both of his parents are Lehigh alumni.
Coach Koski on Tichy – “I have known Peter a long time, having watched him develop through Lehigh Valley United and watched him play for Coach Hess within the club. He has recently made the move to striker which has been tremendous in his continued development and I anticipate he will continue to grow even more as a player. Peter shows a knack for getting into positions to score and consistently finishes his chances. I’m looking forward to see how he pushes and adds depth to our forward line.”
Beckett Wenger-Gilbertsville, Pa. – Boyertown High School – PA Dominion – M/F
Wenger will make the short trip from Boyertown to Bethlehem, joining from Boyertown High School and playing for PA Dominion. He has continuously excelled as one of the top high school and club players in the country, receiving many accolades while helping guide Boyertown to a PAC Liberty Division title while his club team has competed at two national championship series in a row. Beckett is a two-time All-Region and All-State nominee, and Mercury All-Area Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Coach Koski on Wenger – “Beckett is versatile and talented attacking player who we think can fill some different roles for us out wide or as a forward. He is a fast and dynamic player, with an excellent turn of pace with and without the ball. Beckett’s movement without the ball allows him to be a constant threat around the goal. I love watching him compete as he seems to rise to the occasion and deliver big performances in big games.”
Lehigh Men’s Soccer Class of 2026
| Surname | position | Hometown/High School | Club |
| Matthew Aitchison | D | Bethlehem, Pa./St. Stephen’s Episcopal School | Lonestar SC |
| Tommy Chyzowych | GC | Red Bank, NJ/Holmdel | Dutchmen FC |
| Sam Davis | D | Frisco, Texas/Memorial | Solar SC MLS Next |
| Yusef Gueye | M | Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood | Cedar Stars Bergen MLS Next |
| Ryan Kuldanek | M | Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth Regional | Real NJ MLS Next |
| Noah Levy | M | Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood | PDA MLS Next |
| Jason Pynadath | M | Amsterdam, Netherlands/The International School of Amsterdam | Wooter Academy U23 |
| Jarman Reilly | M | Linwood, NJ/Mainland Regional | Real NJ MLS Next |
| Peter Tichy | f | Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom | Lehigh Valley United |
| Beckett Wenger | M/F | Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown | PA Dominion |
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