Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Men's Soccer	SIUE Men's Soccer SIUE Athletics

March 19, 2007 SIUE Men's Soccer Signs Six for 2007           EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Building on its continued success, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men's soccer team has signed six players for the 2007 season.           SIUE Coach Ed Huneke has added Benny Jeffery (Florissant, Mo.), Ryan Wilhelm (St. Louis), Scott Meyer (Ballwin, Mo.), Eric Schmidt (St. Louis), Timothy Boruff (Florissant, Mo.) and Torey Werner (Edwardsville).           "We are adding a wide variety of recruits who bring many talents to the team," said Huneke. "We will need many of them to perform at a high level right away since we lost so many quality seniors." SIUE advanced to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional title game and finished with a 15-4-3 record.           Jeffery was a four-time All-Conference selection at Hazelwood Central Senior High School. A two-time Suburban North Conference Player of the Year as a midfielder, he also was a two-time All-Metro pick. An All-State selection, he scored 16 goals and recorded 20 assists as a senior.           "Benny is a left-footed flank player who can play a variety of positions. His skill and composure on the ball will help us. We look for him to make an immediate contribution," said Huneke.           Wilhelm helped Christian Brothers College High School to the state championship in 2005 and earned All-State and All-Metro honors as a senior.           "Ryan has all of the tools necessary to make a quick transition to the college game. He is an extremely athletic, smooth defender," said Huneke.           Meyer, a goalkeeper at DeSmet High School, was an honorable mention All-Metro performer as a junior and second team All-Conference as a senior. He recorded 144 saves and a 1.34 goals against average last season.           "He has been among the top goalkeepers in the St. Louis area for many years. His unique athletic ability along with his intense competitiveness separates him from most goalkeepers," said Huneke.           Schmidt was named All-Metro twice as a defender at Oakville High School. SIUE soccer runs in the family for Schmidt as his uncles, Larry and Stephen, were on SIUE's roster when the Cougars were first beginning the program in the late 1960s.           "Eric is an intense, passionate defender who has a good resume of winning," said Huneke.           Boruff was a third team All-Metro pick and state Goalkeeper of the Year at Trinity Catholic High School. He recorded 146 saves and a finished with a 0.77 goals against average as a senior.           "Tim is a good shot stopper and a team player. He will fit in nicely with the Cougars," said Huneke.           Werner is a local product who has been a four-year letter winner at Edwardsville High School. He led the Tigers with six assists this past season.           "Torey is a hard-working athlete with a desire to excel. This is a player with good, athletic tools who is anxious to take his game to the next level," said Huneke.