New Lee men's soccer coach signs four recruits

Lee University president Dr. Paul Conn, right, welcomes Derek Potteiger as the school's men's soccer coach. (Lee University photo)
Lee University president Dr. Paul Conn, right, welcomes Derek Potteiger as the school's men's soccer coach. (Lee University photo)

Two weeks after being hired as the men's soccer coach at Lee University, Derek Potteiger announced the signing of four players to national letters of intent.

Two are from the Nashville area: Christ Presbyterian's Owen Keck and Hendersonville High School's Ryan Von Mann. The others are Jared McWhorter from Woodstock, Ga., and Caden Carrao from Spring Hill, Fla.

"It has been a fast-paced couple of weeks since taking over the program, and in a lot of ways I am still getting to know the current team," Potteiger said in a Lee release. "But at the same time I have had the pleasure of connecting with the four current committed players and they are terrific young men.

"I have heard nothing but good things about their quality on the field and want to compliment Coach Kwame (Appiah) and Coach Gabe (Franco) in bringing in these quality players even in the midst of this drawn-out transition."

Appiah noted McWhorter's club experience with Georgia United USDA and NASA 98 Elite in Atlanta, as well as an Olympic Development Program regional trip to Mexico, and predicted "a fantastic four years" with the Flames.

"Jared is a very dynamic midfielder with a good soccer IQ and is also known for scoring goals. He is a fun player to watch," Appiah said. "He is skillful, crafty and likes to take players on in the final third."

Carrao, who plays for Bishop McLaughlin High School and Tampa Bay United, "is a well-rounded defender who can play any position across the backline," Appiah said. "Caden is a strong technical defender and also good in the air."

Von Mann and Keck both played for Nashville FC, a two-time state Division I champion and three-time Disney finalist, and Appiah labeled each as "an established winner."

"Ryan is a Christian young man and model player who brings a great work ethic and can play multiple positions," the Flames' lead assistant said. "Owen is a dynamic center midfielder with high tenacity and tactical knowledge of the game. He can dictate the tempo of a game with his quick touches."

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