HIGH POINT, N.C.—High Point University men's soccer head coach Zach Haines announced the 2021 recruiting class for the Panthers on Monday, June 28th. For the second consecutive season, the High Point University Men's Soccer recruiting class is ranked nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.com (#22 in June of 2021). The class contains seven players, two of which were ranked in the Top-Drawer Soccer class of 2021 Top 200 rankings, A Sun-Belt Conference standout grad transfer, a High School All-American, two MLS NEXT standouts, and an ECNL Captain and regional champion. 

"First off, huge credit goes to my staff for all of their hard work with this class, Coach Haines said. "These seven are the right type of student-athletes to help take the program forward. Our staff looks forward to working with each of them to make an impact on the field, off the field, and in the community over the course of their time at HPU."

Aidan Abril |Maryland United FC |MF| Bradywine, MD |Ranked #195 in 2021 class by TDS

Abril File: Brother of rising senior Alex Abril, Aidan Abril was the 195th ranked player in the 2021 class by Top Drawer Soccer. He was named ECNL Northeast Conference player of the year, and was selected to the ECNL All-America team last season. Helped lead Maryland United FC to a state cup final in 2019 alongside fellow future Panther Jackson Ruckman.

Haines on Abril: "We have known Aidan for years, and have seen him play countless times with Maryland United. He is a top player technically and tactically, fantastic student, and works on his game relentlessly to keep improving. He is going to bring a lot of quality to our midfield options."

Aldair Cortes | Georgia Southern (Grad transfer) |M/F| Cairo, GA

Cortes File: Comes to High Point following a decorated career at Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt where he was a three-time Preseason All-Sun Belt selection, a first team All-Sun Belt midfield selection in 2019, a 2018 Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team selection, and the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year while also being selected as an All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team Defender. Cortes scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists as a midfielder for the Eagles in his three seasons in Statesboro, Georgia. 

Haines on Cortes: "Aldair brings three years of Division 1 experience as a starter at GA Southern in multiple positions. He has produced wherever he plays, and will give us another great option in our attack. His ability on restarts is extremely high level, as well as his finishing in and around the box. We are excited to get to work with Aldair in August."

David Greene | NC Fusion |M/F| Greensboro, NC|(Joined the team in January of 2021)

Greene File: A triad native who graduated early and was a member of the 2020-21 High Point team's historic Big South double and NCAA Tournament appearance. Greene made 82 appearances in the USDA and was the top goal scorer for NC Fusion Academy in the 2016-2017 season. Greene stayed in High Point this summer and is currently playing for the NC Fusion U23s in USL League Two. 

Haines on Greene: "David graduated high school early and joined us in January. He had a fantastic Spring, and if NCAA rules would have permitted, he absolutely would have featured for us in games. He grew up just a few minutes away from HPU, so he is someone we know very well and we are certain will make a major impact on the program on and off the field."

Tanner Rothenberger |Charlotte Soccer Academy |D/MF| Charlotte, NC

Rothenberger File: A North Carolina native who played in the USDA. He helped lead his Charlotte Soccer Academy team to the Developmental Academy playoffs in San Francisco, CA. College athletics runs in the Rothenberger family as his father Troy played basketball for Albright College.

Haines on Rothenberger: "Tanner committed to us later in the process, but we have built a relationship with him over a couple years as he came through CSA and attended multiple ID camps. He is exactly the type of student-athlete we want in our program. He has continuously proved himself moving up the youth ranks, worked hard to develop his game, and brings an edge as a ball winner and versatile player that can feature anywhere in defense or midfield."

Jackson Ruckman | Maryland United FC | MF | Edgewater, MD

Ruckman File: Captain of Maryland United FC for five years, helped lead Maryland United FC to a state cup final in 2019 alongside fellow future Panther Aidan Abril. Ruckman also won three MIAA Championships in high school. Comes from an athletic family both his parents played Division I sports at William & Mary, his father Andy played football for the Tribe while his mother Holly played both lacrosse and field hockey for William & Mary.

Haines on Ruckman:"We have seen Jackson play for years alongside Aidan with Maryland United, and always admired him as a player and leader. He committed early to the Naval Academy, and then recently opened his recruitment back up. We are fortunate that Jackson saw HPU as his path forward. He is a great addition for us. He has a lot of game, and will bring a different element to our central midfield options."

Larson Rula | IMG Academy | Forward |Birmingham AL | Ranked #132 in 2021 class by TDS

Rula File: Rula comes to High Point ranked the #132 player in the class of 2021 according to Top Drawer Soccer. Rula is a highly touted striker from IMG Academy. He helped lead his team to two IMG Cup Championships. The Birmingham native comes from a Division I athletic background as his dad David Rula played basketball for Mississippi State and his brother Holland, currently plays soccer for Wake Forest.

Haines on Rula: "Larson has dealt with a lot of adversity through injuries in the last few years, but each time has come back and proven to be a top player. He has a ton of upside as a forward with his athleticism, intelligent movement, and quality on the ball. He also works extremely hard leading the press for his team. He is a resilient kid, and I know he is going to make the most of this opportunity."

Luke Snyder | HMMS FC | Goalkeeper | Mechanicsburg, PA

Snyder File: Was recently selected as a High School All-American and played in the High School All-American game. He received the 2017 USYS Nationals Most Outstanding Goalie award with HHMS. He helped lead his teams to two NCS Championships while also leading his team to a Jefferson Cup Championship in 2019. He comes from an athletic family as both his mother and his father played sports at Juniata College, his father played soccer while his mother was a member of the track and field team. 

Haines on Snyder: "Luke recently played in the High School All-American game, and excelled with that opportunity just as he has with every opportunity he has had along the way. He is fully committed on and off the field to being a big-time student-athlete. We have high hopes for him as a future GK for us, and are confident he will maximize his potential."