LEXINGTON, Va.  – Heading into his third season as the head man for the VMI men's soccer team, Richie Rose has announced an incoming class of nine players, including six Virginians, a Pennsylvanian, a North Carolinian and one player currently living and playing in Italy.

Set to join the Keydets in the fall of 2012 will be Travis Borkey, Kyle Forche, Eric Friese, Alexander Guerra, David Harpen, Zach Kaplan, Hunter Morgan, David Noel and Andrew Starnes.

“I am very excited to welcome this recruiting class to VMI and VMI men's soccer. During the recruiting process, this group of players has demonstrated a genuine interest in the traditions and quality education we have to offer here at VMI. On the field, the class is very well balanced with a variety of positions which will give much needed depth to our squad. I am also confident in each player's technical ability, they are comfortable and proficient under pressure, which suits our style of play,” said Rose of the incomers. “I believe each player brings something different to the field, and all have the ability to step in and compete for a spot in the starting eleven. I would like to thank all the previous coaches of our incoming class, both club and high school, for the dedication and quality education they have demonstrated during each player's development to this point. I hope to continue this development in our program at VMI to help the players achieve their goals both on and off the field.”

Below is a brief paragraph on each incoming player regarding their accomplishments.

Travis Borkey – An accomplished player at Hanover High School in Mechanicsville, Borkey was named Player of the Year for the VHSL Capital District in 2011 and First Team All-District. He was also tabbed All-State by the Virginia High School Coaches Association and All-Region First Team for the VHSL Central Region in 2011. Additionally, he has earned several All-Academic honors as well as All-District awards early in his high school career. Borkey has also been a member of the Richmond Kickers USSDA in several different age groups.

Kyle Forche – An honor student at Cosby High School, Forche will look to bring offense to the squad as a forward/attacking midfielder. A three-year varsity letterman, his school won the Dominion District from 2008-11, finishing in the regional semifinals this past season. During the 2009 season, Forche and his team reached the Virginia AAA Quarterfinals. Forche was a member of the FC Richmond with rising sophomore Max Fairnholt.

Eric Friese – A midfielder from Elizabethtown, Pa. Friese will bring a high level of academics to VMI as well as soccer. Friese played for several club teams in south central Pennsylvania area, including PA Classics and LANCO United, both out of Lancaster County. He has also been a member of premier teams in the Harrisburg area.

Alexander Guerra – Currently playing in Italy, Guerra will add depth to the goalkeeping position for the Keydets. He is currently a member of the U.S. Youth Soccer Italia Select Team in the U17/18 age group. He and his squad recently competed in the Michael Brendel Tournament in Germany, which featured a mix of US and International players. Going undefeated through the tournament, Guerra helped lead his team to a championship at the tournament, winning in PKs. He was named All-Tournament as a keeper.

David Harpen – A four-year letterman at Peninsula Catholic, Harpen was named the MVP for his team in 2011. A three-year team captain as well, Harpen earned multiple All-Conference honors, named first team in 2011 and 2012. He also earned All-State plaudits, landing on the first team in 2012 as well as the second team in 2011. Harpen not only served as a captain for his club team, Virginia Legacy, but as the National Honor Society President from 2010-11.

Zach Kaplan – A goalkeeper at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, Kaplan will help bolster the Keydets' backline. After being named Rookie of the Year for his team, Kaplan continued to pile on the plaudits and was named Defensive MVP his junior season. He was named All-American District honorable mention each season. A member of AC Norfolk Klinsmann club team, Kaplan helped his team go undefeated in one of his two seasons with the squad. Also a member of the Virginia Rush USSDA,

Hunter Morgan – A four-year letterman at Benedictine High School in Richmond, Morgan was a two time All-State selection. Serving as a team captain in his junior and senior seasons, he was also named the team's MVP in those same years. Morgan led his team in scoring in his final two campaigns, putting away 16 and 15 goals in his junior and senior years, respectively. He also tallied 12 and 13 assists in 2010 and 2011. Morgan is a member of the Richmond Strikers USSDA.

David Noel – A three-year varsity standout at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Va., Noel will bring solid offensive talent to Post. In 2011, Noel led the Southeastern District points leader with 18 goals and 13 assists (49 points). Missing his sophomore season to injury, Noel bounced back and was named the team's captain his junior and senior years. A member of both the Beach FC in Virginia Beach, Noel was named VCCL Select All-Star Team in 2008.

Andrew Starnes – Playing as a varsity member of the Fuquay-Varina High School his junior and senior seasons, Starnes started both seasons as a midfielder. In 2010, he helped guide the school to its first Tri-Nine Conference Championship while reaching the third round of the North Carolina state championships. This past fall, he helped lead the team to its first-ever state quarterfinals while being named All-Conference and All-Region. From 2007-12, Starnes was a member of the FVAA Flash Red Classic Soccer team, helping the team qualify for the US Youth Soccer Region III. From 2009-11, the team finished in at least the semifinals of the NC State Cup, including a finals appearance in 2010. Now plays for CASL in Raleigh, N.C., a USSDA program.

This spring, the Keydets went 4-2 during their offseason competition. VMI will open the 2012 season on August 24 in University Heights, Newark, N.J. as the Keydets take on host New Jersey Institute of Technology. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Lubetkin Field at J. Malcom Simon Stadium.