NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Kylie Stannard, The 5K Corral Head Coach of Yale men's soccer, has turned the Bulldogs into a nationally prominent program. In 2019, Yale captured the Ivy League title, finished with a 13-3-2 overall record, including a program-record 11-game unbeaten streak to open the season, and a 6-1 Ivy mark which matched the best in school history. The Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 and were nationally ranked for much of the season, reaching as high as No. 21.
 
The future continues to look very bright as well as Stannard will welcome a strong Class of 2025 to an already deep and talented roster. AliYasin Aly, Ryan Cote, Justin Harris, Conrad Lee, Gelber Lemus, TJ Presthus and Georgios Stamboulidis all bring strong credentials both on and off the pitch.
 
The class is currently ranked No. 20 in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer, the second straight year Yale has been ranked in the top 20.
 
"This is another outstanding recruiting class that will help us continue to elevate the program with top talent, but even more importantly, young men with high character, that are team oriented, and have a relentless drive to be their best on and off the field," Stannard said. "They are joining a very strong returning group of players that helped us win the Ivy League along with a very hungry group of young players that are eagerly waiting to put on the Yale Soccer jersey for the first time.  Like every program, it's been a unique year for identifying, evaluating and building relationships with players and families and I want to thank my assistants, Charles [Rodriguez], Bill [Schmid], and Stewart [Frank] for doing a great job of putting in the extra work and time to help find the next Bulldogs. Collectively, this will be a group that includes guys that will compete for minutes right away and others that improve our already strong depth and competitiveness in every position."
 
Here is a closer look at the Class of 2025:
 

 
High School: Two-time all-state selection at West Orange High School… Named first team all-league and all-conference as a senior… Tallied 13 goals and 11 assists in his career… Highest scoring defender in school history… Scored nine goals as a senior, the most by a defender in West Orange history… Team MVP as a senior… Also wrestled and played volleyball at West Orange… Did a postgraduate year at Northfield Mount Hermon.
 
Club: Played for Vulcan FC, which earned a national ranking of No. 13 in 2019… Club was EDP Spring Classic winners in 2018 and 2019 and won the 2017 Men's College Cup Showcase.
 
ODP: Played for 2015-16 ODP region team.
 
Personal: Sends soccer cleats and equipment to underprivileged youth in Egypt, where his father grew up… Volunteers at the Willing Heart Community Care Center, feeding the homeless… Hosts a backpack and school supplies drive every summer with the Newark community.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR ALY
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Sergio Ramos. He's fearless, confident and charismatic. He embodies what it means to be a captain and a leader. He is the one player I try to mold my game after."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My mother Sherell
 
Why Yale? "When I first toured the Yale campus, I felt at home and knew that this was the place I wanted to spend my college experience. The academics, culture and mentality at Yale are unmatched. On top of that, the coaching staff has put in place a plan to dominate the Ivy's and NCAAs for the coming years, and that is a plan I wanted to be a part of."
 
Stannard on Aly: "Yasin is a multi-sport athlete and a great competitor.  He will bring elite athleticism and a competitive and physical presence on day one. His best attribute might be his versatility as he can play anywhere in the backline and may even compete for time in the midfield. He embraces winning his duals and is very rarely beaten. Yasin has tremendous upside and he is really just starting to focus on his soccer development so we are really excited about what he can become. With his extra year at Northfield Mount Hermon, he has developed that much more over the past year and that should help tremendously."


 

 
Notes: Ranked No. 184 nationally.
 
Academy: Played for Real Colorado, which was ranked eighth in the nation… Started all eight games for Real Colorado, which finished 2019-20 with a 6-0-2 record and finished first in the Frontier Division… Scored three goals… Helped Real Colorado advance to the quarterfinals of the DA playoffs in 2018-19… Scored two goals.
 
Personal: Member of the National Honor Society at Arapahoe High School… Volunteer with Extreme Community Makeover… Father Christopher was a swimmer at Holy Cross, mother Tanya player lacrosse at Williams.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR COTE
 
Biggest soccer influence? "If we're talking about players of the game, then without a doubt my biggest influence is Lionel Messi. One of the reasons is the marvel of his size. When I was younger, like Messi, I was small, much smaller physically than those I played with and against. Seeing Messi, I tried to model my technical and creative aspects of the game around what he does. However, my U17 coach Clint Baumsatrk, has had a lasting impact on me, not just in terms of soccer but in my life."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "As it is to many, I would say that my parents are my heros, yet I idolize them for different reasons. My work ethic and creativity come from my dad. He is the hardest working individual I know; everyday he does his best to try and make life and the world better for our family. His support of the things I do is what drives me to succeed. Although my mother brings many of those same qualities, I think that from her, I have learned how to love and be the best person I can be. I idolize her for being a mother amongst all of the chaos and stress that can arise. The effort she has shown me in helping me get to where I am leads me to work in return for her."
 
Why Yale? "Although it has been a dream school of mine since I was young, I didn't know it was truly where I wanted to be until my visit to the school. The people and players at Yale, who showed me a true desire for success and achievement while still upholding important values within the community, led me to fall in love with the school even more. Within the soccer aspect, I was introduced to a family of players and coaches who all strive and compete to win at the highest standard on and off the field; that is the environment that I crave to be in."
 
Stannard on Cote: "I have seen Ryan play several times and what impresses me the most is that he never stops working and covers so much ground in a game. He is a natural lefty that has played center mid, forward, left mid, and left back. This versatility will give him a great chance to compete for minutes somewhere.  Ryan is very capable of picking out great forward passes and dangerous crosses, and this is something we will want a lot of from him. He comes from a very successful club that wins consistently and also produces some very good players."


 

 
High School: Played as a first year and a sophomore at Detroit Country Day School… Scored 18 goals and added 21 assists in his two seasons… Earned first team all-state honors as a sophomore… Named one of the Great Lakes Region's top-10 high school midfielders by TopDrawer Soccer… Helped lead Detroit Country Day to a state championship in his sophomore season.
 
Academy/MLS Next: Played for the Vardar Soccer Club… Club was the Annandale Premier Cup champion in 2018… Named to the APC all-tournament team.
 
ODP: Played for Michigan state and Region II programs.
 
Personal: Mother Zenzile played volleyball at Temple and is among the school's top-10 all-time in career digs… Volunteers at local hospitals and as a stock boy at Fish and Loaves Community Food pantry… Trained at the Paris St. Germain, F.C. Soccer School for two weeks.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR HARRIS
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Fernando Luiz Roza  'Fernandinho' He's a member of the Brazilian national team as well as the English Premier League team Manchester City who plays midfielder and central defender-the same positions I play. He doesn't have the typical broad-shouldered, muscle-bound appearance of most defenders, but he is the fiercest competitor on the pitch."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "Jackie Robinson"
 
Why Yale? "The combination of academics and athletics at Yale are unmatched. Attending a top tier academic school along with playing for a top-tier soccer program is once in a lifetime opportunity. It is the best of both worlds-a win-win scenario."
 
Stannard on Harris: "Justin is someone I knew right away that I wanted in the program. He is a fierce competitor and has good leadership presence on the field.  Knowing the Vardar club he comes from very well, I know he will have some good toughness and resiliency, which are key attributes we want in the program. Justin has the ability to play as a defensive center midfielder or anywhere in the backline.  He is confident and composed and able to make quality passes under pressure. Plus, his physicality and competitiveness will fit in right away with our identity and this will give him a chance to compete for minutes."


 

 
Notes: Ranked as the No. 7 goalkeeper and No. 76 overall in the Class of 2020 by TopDrawer Soccer.
 
Academy: Starred for Seattle Founders FC Academy, the USSDA U-17 national champion in 2018… Helped lead the Founders to the Champions Division title, the first academy to win the division crown… Had a .960 save percentage and yielded only one goal in division play… Came off the bench to stop three penalty kicks and help the Founders win the 2018 Premier Division championship.
 
ODP: Played with New Hampshire ODP from 2016-18… Boys captain.
 
Personal: Played on the Keene High School Unified Basketball team when he was living in New Hampshire and wrote about the experience on his application to Yale… Founded and taught a chess club at Fuller Elementary School in New Hampshire… Worked in the kitchen at the Ballard Food Bank in Seattle.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR LEE
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Matt Turner because I've always admired his hard work and dedication. His meteoric rise to the professional level without playing soccer before high school demonstrates the power of focused commitment to fulfill one's potential. He gave me confidence that I could play at the professional level, even when I lacked any high-level exposure."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My sister is my heroine; she's fearless in pursuing what she loves. She moved away from our home in rural Montana at age 13 to study ballet in New York City and is now a professional dancer at Kansas City Ballet, seemingly against all the odds. She inspires me to believe in myself during tough times and to always strive to be the best I can be."
 
Why Yale? "Because the student body, faculty and coaching staff were overwhelmingly enthusiastic and welcoming. I was excited by the residential colleges and their unique opportunities for human connection as well as the how the shopping periods encourage academic exploration."
 
Stannard on Lee: "Conrad is someone we have tracked for a while and he was close to coming in 2020 but decided to take an extra year which turned out to be especially useful given the challenges of the past year.  He has used this extra year to continue in a great environment with the Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Defiance, so he has been in one of the best environments in the country. Conrad possesses great size and presence and plays with a very positive chip on his shoulder which fuels his incredible work ethic and competitive drive. He will immediately challenge our other GKs to be better which makes our entire team better."


 

 
Academy: Played for the Bethesda Soccer Academy… Tallied seven assists and appeared in all 16 games in the 2019 DA Showcase Playoffs… Invited to the US DA recruiting camps.
 
Personal: Family is from Guatemala and he has returned every three years to assist in Santa Rosa, community where his parents were born... Raised money to provide school equipment, clothes and toys for young children in Guatemala… Handed out masks and hand sanitizer to homeless individuals as a member of the National Honor Society.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR LEMUS
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Marcelo Vieira: He is class. Marcelo is one of the most talented footballers the world has ever seen. His technique, vision and football IQ are up there with some of the best. It brings me joy to watch him play; he always has something in his back pocket to solve the problems placed in front of him. He believes in himself to carry out moves in games that other players are scared to try at practice. He defends well but is a huge threat in the attack."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My idol is Jesus Christ. He saved me from my sins and carried not only the cross, but me as well."
 
Why Yale? "Yale is a school filled with diversity and the best resources the country has to offer. If you take care of your business, there's nothing you can't achieve here."
 
Stannard on Lemus: "Gelber is one of the nicest young men I have ever met off the field, but he also brings great tenacity and fight when he steps on the field.  He is another natural lefty that has the ability to play left back or left wing. He will do anything necessary to help the team be successful.  We love that he values defending and winning his 1v1 battles, but he is also a good passer and good at supporting the attack with excellent fitness and work ethic.  He comes from a very strong club background that produces very good players but also values winning.  With these attributes, he will make our program better."


 

 
Notes: Ranked No. 62 nationally
 
Academy: in 2019-20 mostly played up on U19 for Columbus Crew Academy… At U17 Generation Adidas Cup was only Crew player to play every minute of every game… Helped Crew advance to semifinals of Generation Cup in 2019…Began training with Crew's first team in spring of 2018… Selected to play in Elite Soccer Program in 2017… Captain of Crew's 2017 U15 team that finished at the top of the Mid-America US Soccer Development Academy season.
 
Personal: Mother Melissa was the captain of the 1995 SMU women's soccer team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals… Father Tom was a men's soccer captain at SMU, played professionally with DC United and the Columbus Crew, won two MLS Cup championships and was an MLS All Star.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR PRESTHUS
 
Biggest soccer influence? "My dad, Tom Presthus, is my biggest soccer influence. I was born into the Columbus Crew family, during the last season of his professional career. He was my club coach until I started playing for Crew PreAcademy. We share the same passion and love for the game. Although I was too young to remember his career, the  ideos/pictures I see and the stories I hear inspire me to follow a similar path. He is my biggest critic (besides myself), but he is also my biggest supporter; everything he does is to make me better. Nobody has taught me more than him, and I will always be grateful for his influence in my soccer career."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My dad is also my idol and hero. His career and successes on and off the field inspire me. Although his professional career is incredible, I admire his desire to obtain a college degree, which allowed him to have the job he currently has; I wish to have a similar career path. Besides his achievements in the workplace, his personality is one of a kind. I admire his leadership, selflessness, and passion. Additionally, his knowledge and ability to speak with/to others impresses me. Most of all, he loves his family and friends, and will always strive to support their wishes and needs."
 
Why Yale? "Without ever visiting campus, the connection I felt towards the soccer program and university was greater than any other college. Yale is the ideal destination for my soccer and academic career, and the opportunities provided are incredible. I already feel like I am a part of a family, with like-minded individuals who share similar desires and values."
 
Stannard on Presthus: "TJ is one of the top defenders in the nation and has made great progress even during the challenges of the past year which shows his passion and commitment to the game and to his development.  He comes from a great environment with the Columbus Crew and says a lot about what they think of him by inviting him to train with the first team during their recent preseason.  I love his balanced qualities as a defender as he is equally adept as a strong and gritty defender, which is most important in that position, but he is also very calm and confident on the ball and also a good passer.  He has a good presence and a winning mentality.  We expect him to push our current group of players immediately."


 

 
High School: Scored six goals and added 10 assists in his career at Carey Baptist School… Led the league in assists as a senior… Helped lead Carey to state championship… Team finished 16-1-1 over his final two seasons.
 
International: Vice captain for Rayo Vallecano de Madrid U-23 in 2020-21… Australian National Team U-20 camp in 2020 and represented country at a tournament in Holland… Invited to Greek U-18 National Team training camp… Played for Heidelberg United FC U-20 which was ranked No. 8 in Australia and was the National Premier League champions… Played for Northcote City FC.
 
ODP: Talent Identification Development Centre in 2018… National Training Centre in 2016-17.
 
Personal: Older brother Haralambos played at Columbia (Class of 2019)… Father played soccer at Monash University in Australia… Played table tennis in high school.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR STAMBOULIDIS
 
Biggest soccer influence? "My father has been my greatest soccer influence. We would spend hours together ever since I could first walk. Whether it was practicing dribbling through milk crates with both feet or controlling long passes using all parts of my body, my love for the game was established by my father. His belief and patience during my development allowed me to progress and work towards fulfilling my potential."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My older brother, Haris. As we both have similar careers in soccer and education, my brother's dedication and commitment are something which motivate and encourage me. When I refer to him as my role model however, my brother insists that he wants me to be `better than' himself, a statement which highlights our special bond and his selflessness. Haris' experience playing for the u19 Greek National Team inspired me to emulate this achievement, where I was fortunate enough for the opportunity to represent my birth country, Australia. We have a lot of banter about representing our different countries, but this healthy competition only strengthens our relationship."
 
Why Yale? "Coach Stannard and the coaching staff have shown me Yale Soccer's blueprint, one which I see myself well-aligned with. The passion, professionalism and winning culture ingrained in Yale's program made my choice a simple one as I feel this next step will best prepare me for my dream of playing professional football. Further, I am attracted to Yale's unique outlook on economics, one where decision making represents its overarching focus."
 
Stannard on Stamboulidis: "George will have an immediate understanding of what it takes to be successful in an Ivy League program after having seen firsthand the success his brother had at Columbia. George is also incredibly determined to take his game, and the program, to the next level and write his own story. His international experience in Australia and Spain has provided a great foundation for the tactical and technical side of the game but he is also well aware of the important physical and mental aspects of the college game and what we expect from our players. We can't simply replace the quality and experience we have lost in the midfield over the past two years, but George has the ability and potential to compete for minutes right away and is a great addition."