Feb. 8, 2006

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. --- Wake Forest head coach Jay Vidovich has announced the signing of eight players for the 2006 men's soccer season. The group, which includes three National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas All-Americans, five adidas/Elite Soccer Program (ESP) participants and two state Players of the Year, ranks as one of the deepest recruiting classes in the nation.

"From top to bottom, I think this class could be one of the best in program history," said Vidovich. "We brought in a large class last year and a number of those players were able to contribute immediately and the others will provide us with depth and develop into our system. This year, we backed up that class with possibly even a stronger group. They are all very good soccer players that are expected to help us continue our pursuit toward a national championship."

Cody Arnoux
Forward | 5-10 | 160 | Wilmington, NC | New Hanover HS

Four-year letterwinner at New Hanover HS for head coach Chip Stone... finished his scholastic career with 106 goals and 82 assists... two-time NSCAA All-American... former under-15 and under-18 U.S. National Team member... member of the adidas/ESP Program and the Region III Olympic Development Program... 2005 North Carolina Player of the Year... served as team captain and named Most Valuable player for New Hanover HS... earned All-North Carolina honors his final three years... three-time region Player of the Year... earned All-Mid East 4A conference each of his four years... member of the National Honor Society and selected to honor roll each of his four years in high school... also a member of the Heritage Club... born in Stonybrook, New York on April 13, 1988... son of Jim & Nanci Arnoux.

"Cody is a dynamic, attacking player that is very good on the dribble," said Vidovich. "He has excellent pace and will create plenty of goal scoring chances for us next year and for years to come."

Austin da Luz
Midfielder | 5-10 | 160 | Winston-Salem, NC | St. Stephen's Episcopal School {Texas}

Earned a varsity letter at Reynolds HS before transferring to St. Stephen`s Episcopal School in Austin, Texas where he played for two years... member of the North Carolina 1987 Olympic Development State Team from 2000-05... member of the Region III Olympic Development Program... twice participated in the adidas/ESP Program... currently plays club soccer with Lonestar in Austin, Texas... former member of the Greensboro Soccer Club, along with future teammate Sam Cronin... born in San Diego, California on October 9, 1987... son of current Wake Forest women's soccer coach Tony & Amy da Luz.
da Luz's Signing

"We have had tremendous success with local players and Austin will be another example," said Vidovich. "He has particular talents that separate him from other players -- his passing game and vision in the attacking third is very good."

Akira Fitzgerald
Goalkeeper | 5-11 | 170 | Baltimore, MD | Loyola Blakefield HS

Four-year letterwinner at Loyola Blakefield HS for head coach Kyle Swords... named Maryland Player of the Year... also named Baltimore Player of the Year... NSCAA All-American in 2005... NSCAA Youth All-American in 2004 and 2005... chosen as the 2005 NSCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year... awarded the national scholastic Walt Chyzowych Award... selected as an adidas/ESP All-Star in 2004 and 2005... captured the ESP Golden Glove award for the top goalkeeper... selected to the Region I Olympic Development Program region squad... member of the National Honor Society and the Asian Student Union... born in Chiloa, Japan on July 7, 1987... son of Robert & Machiko Shirhata.

"Akira reads the game extremely well," said Vidovich. "He is more of a preventive goalkeeper as opposed to being exclusively a shot stopper. He is a tremendous student, not only of the game, but in the classroom as well. With Akira and returning starter Brian Edwards, we have two excellent goalkeepers."

Erik Hummel
Forward/Midfielder | 5-10 | 165 | Rancho Santa Fe, CA | Sage Hill HS

Former member of the South Bay club team for head coach Todd Saldana... twice participated in the adidas/ ESP Program... member of the Region IV Olympic Development Program... trained and competed for three years with the Orange County BlueStar's of the PDL, one of the top PDL programs in the country... achieved honor roll every year of high school... member of the John Hopkins Gifted & Talented Program for three years... born in New York, New York on September 23, 1987... son of Albert & Coca Hummel.

"Erik is another attacking player that has quality experience in the club level," said Vidovich. "He is very talented with good pace and so much confidence on the ball. He will help us on the left flank."

Mbizo Mzamane
Midfielder/Forward | 5-9 | 160 | Philadelphia, PA | Germantown Friends Schools

Four-year letterwinner at Germantown Friends School for head coach Matt Zipin... set school and conference records with 34 goals in a single-season and 57 goals for his career... named All-Pennsylvania as a senior... named Most Valuable Player for Germantown Friends School... selected for Southeast Pennsylvania All-Star team in 2004 and 2005... led high school team in scoring each of his last three seasons... started every single game of scholastic career... plays club soccer for FC Bucks... helped former club team Radnor United to the under-17 Rider Cup with eight goals in four games... led the team in scoring... participated in the Big Brother & Big Sister program, as well as numerous theatrical productions... also had poetry and creative writing samples published... born in Lagos, Nigeria on Feb. 19, 1988... nationality is South African... son of Dr. L. Nomvuyo Mzamane.
Mzamane's Signing

"We think we are bringing in a special player in Mbizo," said Vidovich. "He brings a combination of talents possessed by Justin Moose and Jeremiah White. He is an attacking player with a flare for the game that you do not always find in young American players."

David Murphy
Defender | 5-11 | 170 | Grapevine, TX | Carroll Senior HS

Four-year letterwinner at Carroll Senior HS for head coach Greg Oglesby... played club soccer with the Dallas Texans and helped them capture the state, region and national championship in 2005... served as the team's captain and also captured the Golden Boot at the 2005 National Club Championships -- the award for the Most Valuable Player of the entire tournament... member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program... born in New York, New York on October 20, 1987... son of Donna Saenz.

"He brings all the intangibles that we aspire for in our players," said Vidovich. "He is a winner and served as captain of his club team that captured a national championship. He was the glue that held everything together. He has a dynamic personality that will improve the competitive drive on our entire team."

Dylan Sansone
Midfielder | 5-10 | 175 | Spring, TX | Klein HS

Three-year letterwinner at Klein HS for head coach Allen Barker... earned all-district honors in 2004 and 2005... helped Klein to the 2005 Texas State Championship and set a school record with 32 victories... named all-tournament after state championship game... member of the Texas Olympic Development Program... plays club soccer with the Houston Texans... works with the TOPS soccer program for physically and emotionally challenged children... born in Denver, Colorado on June 20, 1988... son of Stan & Carla Sansone.

"Dylan is a holding midfielder that comes to us from a tremendous club program," said Vidovich. "We will have some competition there next season and he will provide depth in that area."

Zachary Schilawski
Forward/Midfielder | 5-10 | 165 | Cary, NC | Cary HS

Four-year letterwinner at Cary HS for head coach Mike Dunphy... earned NSCAA All-American status in 2005... also awarded NSCAA High School Scholar All-America Team... twice participated in the adidas/ESP Program and earned All-Star status in 2005... led the team in scoring in each of the four years and served as captain the past three seasons... named All-North Carolina, All-Region and All-South each of the last three years... earned all-conference honors four times... awarded region and conference Player of the Year in 2005... served as president of the National Honor Society and earned honor roll every quarter of scholastic career... ranked second in high school class of 504... member of student council and student ambassadors... born in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 15, 1987... son of Mike & Julie Schilawski.

"Zack has a tremendous soccer brain and is a quality finisher," said Vidovich. "He has a quality touch on the ball and is in the mold of a Ryan Solle or Sam Cronin. He is a very smart player that simply understands how to get the job done."