MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois Men's Soccer head coach Dr. Eric Johnson has announced the Leathernecks' 2012 signing class.

The class of seven includes five high school prospects, as well as two junior college transfers.

After years of success at Western, including five Summit League Tournament Championships and five NCAA College Cup appearances, Coach Johnson obviously has high expectations for the newcomers.

"I am very excited that these gifted student-athletes will join us next fall. They will represent Western Illinois University in a positive manner academically, athletically and socially. As a group they will support our team goal of winning Summit League Championships and will help us fill the holes in our roster created by graduation."

Played for the Minnesota Thunder Academy of the USSDA...Member of the 2010 Olympic Development Program Regional Pool...Attends high school at Centennial...Was named Class AA All-State in 2010 and 2011...Captain of his team...Named the team's Most Valuable Player...Finished his career with 29 goals, eight assists, and two Conference Champions (2010, 2011).

Coach Johnson on Bloom:

"Erick is a very good athlete that can play a number of positions. He plays outside back for his academy team and forward for his high school team and could contribute at both positions at Western."

Played for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro of the USSDA...2011 USSDA Frontier Division Champions and three-year starter...Attends Francis Howell North High School...2010 2nd Team All-State Class 3AA...Four-year starter...Team captain his junior and senior seasons...Top 10 All-Time in career assists and games played at Francis Howell North...Three time All-Conference honoree...District Champions three of his four years.

Coach Johnson on Worsley:

"Sammuel organized the defensive side of his club team and helped lead them to a Frontier Conference Championship. He is tactically, physically and technically ready to contribute at this level."

Played for Eastern Iowa United club team...Four year participant of 1994 Olympic Development Program Regional Team...2011 National ODP Champion with Iowa ODP State Team...Third-place National ODP in 2010 tournament...Attends high school in Iowa City...Named First Team All-State in 2011...Member of the 2010 State All-Tournament Team.

Coach Johnson on Chavez:

"Tyler has gained a lot of experience with his participation on the Regional Team. He is a box to box midfielder and can play wide or in the middle."

Member of the Eastern Iowa United club team...2011 National Olympic Development Program Champion with Iowa ODP State Team...Four-year participant of 1994 ODP Regional Team...Three time Iowa State Champion (Club)...Three-time Regional ODP State Team Champion...Was a four-year starter at Ankeny high school.

Coach Johnson on Bunting:

"Patrick is a skilled goalkeeper with great athleticism.  His experience with ODP has given him the opportunity to play in pressure games and he knows how to win."

Starter on U-18 Minnesota Thunder Academy of the USSDA...Member of the All-State Tournament Team in 2010...Attended high school at Lakeville North...Named First Team All-State in 2011...Was a team captain his junior and senior seasons...Averaged 92% save percentage over junior and senior seasons...Three time First Team All-Conference honoree.

Coach Johnson on Revsbeck:

"Conner has developed into one of the top GK's in Minnesota. He has the tools and physical frame to become a very good Division I Goalkeeper."

The five high school recruits will join two transfer student-athletes to make up the seven-member class. Miguel Acosta and Jerson Carrasco joined the team this semester and will look to contribute to Western's success next fall.

Miguel Acosta
Position - MF - 5'11" - 170
Hometown - Joliet, Ill.
High School - Joliet West
Club Team - U-18 Chicago Magic of the USSDA
Previous College(s) Attended - DePaul

Played two years at Joliet West and started in every match...Competed with Chicago Fire and Chicago Magic academy teams...2005-06 Olympic Development Program national champions...Named to the ODP all-region team 2005-07...Selected to play and train with the U15 national team...Played in one match at DePaul last season.

Coach Johnson on Acosta:

"Miguel is a solid box to box midfielder. He has good range, sprays the ball really well and defends his position."

Named Second Team All-Region and Honorable Mention all area in 2010 while at Garden City...Two-year captain of high school soccer team...Leading scorer as a junior...three-year letterwinner.

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