May 27, 1999

Coming off a 16-5 Patriot League Championship season and a berth into the NCAA Tournament, the Lafayette College men's soccer program has begun its reloading process, as nine student-athletes are set to enroll at Lafayette in the fall of 1999.

John Kightlinger (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) brings championship experience to the Leopards. The forward led Cherokee High School to the South Jersey Coaches' Tournament Championship and was also the leading scorer on the New Jersey Avengers, a club team that captured the state championship in 1997-98. As a junior, Kightlinger scored 30 goals at King's Christian High School before missing 30 days of his senior season at Cherokee because he transferred.

"I thought John was the best senior in South Jersey and one of the best players in the whole state this past season," said Lafayette Head Coach Tim Lenahan. "I expect him to be able to contribute immediately."

Mike Gualtieri (Aston, PA/Sun Valley) will bring experience to Lafayette. Gualtieri is a junior transfer from St. Bonaventure. He was a two-year starter at St. Bonaventure, but sat out last season due to an ACL injury. Gualtieri considered transferring to Penn State, Seton Hall and Colonial Athletic Association champion Richmond, before deciding on Lafayette. He played Olympic Developmental Program soccer with current Lafayette goalie Craig Schroeder.

"Next year's team is a veteran group and certainly adding an experienced defender like Mike will help us to maintain the strong defensive team we had last year," Lenahan said of his Lafayette squad which finished 16th in the nation in team defense in 1998.

Mike Wade (Richboro, NJ/Council Rock) will battle for time at the defender spot. Wade won the National Championship in under-17 club action while playing for FC Delco. He also honed his skills on the top caliber squad at Council Rock High School.

Paulo Coelho (Whippany, NJ/Whippany Park), who chose Lafayette over the Big East's Rutgers, scored 25 goals in his senior year, but will be used primarily as a defensive player. Coelho will spend the summer training in Portugal, an international hotbed of soccer.

"We were able to meet the needs we had," second year coach Lenahan said of his first full recruiting class. "We needed to replace Pat Link up front and Stuart Truscott in the back. With John Kightlinger and Mike Gualtieri, we've satisfied those needs while also adding depth in other positions."

1999 Lafayette Men's Soccer Recruiting Class

Name, Pos., Hometown/High School, Accolades Brad Bertkau, F, Somers, NY/North Salem, Three-sport athlete Paulo Coelho, D, Whippany, NJ/Whippany Park, Scored 25 goals in his senior season Adam Decker, M, North Wales, PA/North Penn, All-Suburban I, Runs the mile in 4:36 Mike Gualtieri, D, Aston, PA/Sun Valley, Transfer from St. Bonaventure John Kightlinger, F, Marlton, NJ/Cherokee, Scored 30 goals in junior season Ted McHugh, D, Montclair, NJ/Montclair, Second-Team All-New Jersey Selection Chris Reich, D, New Providence, NJ/New Providence, All-County Performer, Marquis Scholar Tom Ryan, F, Suffern, NY/Don Bosco Prep, Scored 18 goals as a senior Mike Wade, D, Richboro, NJ/Council Rock, Won Under-17 National Championship

NOTE: Official notification will be extended by the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.