March 9, 2010
A HUSKIES CLASS
Northeastern signs five

The Northeastern University men’s team has five new recruits coming on board. Joining the Huskies are Conner Alexander, Hamadi Cantave, Nikko Lara, Rex Messing and AJ Stueck.
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“The group that we just signed has us really excited because now that our program has been in the CAA Championship final the past couple of years, it has really helped us secure these talented five players, and it bodes well for our future,” said Northeastern coach Brian Ainscough. “It gives us something we haven’t had in the past, which is real depth. We’ve had good success recently and I think it will help us push on, as the success of our players has made it easier for us to recruit this type of athlete.”
“As a group it is a very, very strong group. Soccer-wise, these kids are all high-level players, who play at the highest

Alexander (Blauvelt, N.Y./Bergen Catholic)was a three-sport athlete at Bergen Catholic High School. He played three years of varsity soccer, one year of varsity baseball, and one year of varsity volleyball. The Blauvelt, N.Y., native was awarded with multiple individual honors, including 2009 All-Suburban first team, 2009 All-Bergen County first team, 2009 All-State New Jersey Non-Public first team, 2009 All-State All-Group New Jersey second team and 2008 Super Y National ODP Select team. Alexander was also part of the 2009 NJIL League championship winning team.

Cantave, (Roslindale, Mass./Catholic Memorial School)who hails from Roslindale, Mass., was a star center midfield in his four varsity seasons at Catholic Memorial School. Cantave was an All-Conference and All-star selection in the 2008 and 2009 campaigns and was a key part in the team’s state championship in 2009-10. He also played on the FC Greater Boston Bolts from the U-11 to U-18 classes.

Lara (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Shattuck-St. Mary’s/Peddie School) was named captain twice in his four combined varsity years at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and the Peddie School. The center midfielder captained Shattuck-St. Mary’s in the 2007-08 campaign, and captained the Peddie School during the 2009-10 season. Lara was named second-team All-Prep in 2008 and 2009, Super Y League National Team in 2007, and won the Sabre Leadership Award in 2008. He also contributed to the 2007 New York State Cup Championship and the 2008 U16 Region 1 North Championship.

Messing, (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) son of former professional soccer player Roy Messing and nephew of former Olympian Shep Messing, was a four-year midfielder for Ridgefield High from 2006-09. Messing was named captain for the 2009 campaign, and was named All-FCIAC and All-Area for his production that season. Messing’s squad made the FCIAC Finals in 2007 and 2009, and his team won the State LL Championship in 2007.

Stueck (Brookfield, Conn./Brookfield) joins Northeastern with an already decorated career. The four-year varsity forward/attacking midfielder at Brookfield High captained his team twice, and was nominated for ESPN Gatorade Player of the Year both his junior and senior years. Stueck led the state in goals and total points in 2009 and led his team to its first ever conference championship and second consecutive state championship. Steuck was also a member of the U14-U15 USA National team.

Ainscough will pair these five incoming freshmen with 21 returners from last season’s team that finished 10-8-1 overall and 8-2-1 in the CAA. The Huskies placed third in the conference and reached the title game of the CAA Championship for the second straight season.

Among his returning players are 2009 CAA Rookie of the Year and first-team All-CAA forward Don Anding, first-team All-CAA defender Santiago Bedoya, third-team All-CAA defender Matt Sanford and third-team All-CAA forward Mike Kennedy.