Four players from across the state of Tennessee and one from the middle of Florida comprise the signing class Lee University men's soccer coach Paul Furey announced this week.
"We really feel like we are adding five quality players and people to our squad for next year," Furey said in a school release. "They each bring the qualities we look for in student-athletes that will fit nicely into our program and our university."
Jake Molony is a midfielder who had 49 goals and 38 assists in three years at Lakeland (Fla.) Christian, where he played for former Lakeland Christian and Covenant College standout Grandy Streets. Molony passed up his junior season to play for the U.S. Development Academy in Clearwater but returned as a senior and had 28 goals and 17 assists.
The Tennesseans joining Furey's Flames are Germantown forward Myles Scott, Christian Brothers all-state midfielder-defender Barrett Mills, Franklin forward Matt Brady and Powell goalkeeper Jake Huffaker. Scott and Mills played together for a state champion club team, the Lobos-Rush, and Mills' Purple Wave were prep Division II state finalists the last two springs.
Brady, who committed to Lee last year, has been on club teams with three state-finals appearances as well as helping Franklin win the Class AAA state title last year. He led the undefeated, nationlly fifth-ranked Rebels in scoring in the 2013 state tournament and has led his club teams in scoring the last five years.
"I knew Lee was the right school for me after my first visit," Brady said. "Lee offered everything I was looking for in a school, and I felt comfortable as soon as I walked on campus."
Said Huffaker, an all-region keeper who has a career goals-against average of 0.88 for Powell: "I chose Lee because of the Christian values and the culture of their soccer program."
Scott and Mills made similar comments about the program and the school, and Molony said he "chose Lee University because of the amazing school campus and the character and talent of the men's soccer team and staff."