 California Duo to Play for SLU
May 2, 2008
ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis men's soccer coach Dan Donigan announced today that Brent Hellesen (Orange, Calif./Pateadores/Orange Lutheran) and Jonas Reiter (Redondo, Calif./Pateadores/South Torrence HS) have decided to attend the University and play soccer for the Billikens. The duo begin their four years of eligibility in the fall. The pair trained together in the Pateadores soccer club, where Billiken assistant coach Matt Tutton served as a coach prior to being hired at SLU in the summer of 2006. Hellesen was a member of the Pateadores' championship team in the Nomads College Showcase and participated in the Red Bull National League. "While Brent will come in as a versatile defender, he had an exceptional high school season on the offensive side of the ball," Donigan said. "We expect him to come in and compete immediately for significant playing time." Hellesen prepped at Orange Lutheran High School, the same high school as current Billiken defender Rob Viviano. Hellesen was a four-year varsity letterman and claimed All-League honors for three of those years. During his senior season, he scored 24 goals in 18 games in addition to tallying 12 assists. Hellesen was named All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) in addition to be named to the Lutheran High Schools All-America Team. Reiter is currently a starting forward for a Pateadores Soccer Club squad that is participating in the U-18 US National Development Academy. Like Hellesen, Reiter was also a member of a Nomads championship team. In addition, he was a member of the 2006-07 Surf Cup team that captured a championship under the direct supervision of Tutton. "Jonas is an opportunistic, athletic goal scorer," Donigan said. "He is hard working and is a passionate player that can create and finish plays around the penalty area."
Reiter, who did not play prep soccer during his senior year so he could play on the Pateadores' academy team, was dubbed Offensive MVP of his squad his junior year. He was a first-team All-League selection and picked up All-Area honors by the Daily Breeze. In addition to Viviano, the Pateadores Soccer Club, which is based in Mission Viejo, Calif., produced former Billikens Kevin Quigley (1994-97) and Brian Riggs (1993-96). "Brent and Jonas have benefited from their time at the Pateadores Soccer Club, which has produced many great college and professional players in the past, and they continue to do so today," Donigan said. "They will help to attract more talented California players to Saint Louis University. I credit assistant coach Matt Tutton for his efforts to bring these two talented players to our program." Hellesen and Reiter join a recruiting class that already includes defender Tyler McNabb (Cape Girardeau, Mo./Metro United/Cape Central) and defender/midfielder Keegan Smith (Dallas, Texas/Solar SC). |
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