Clemson Men?s Soccer Signs Five for 2015

CLEMSON, S.C. – Fresh off an ACC Tournament Championship in 2014, head coach Mike Noonan and the Clemson men’s soccer program announced the signing of five players to national letters of intent for the 2015 season on Wednesday.

“This class continues to raise the profile of our program within SC and nationally,” head coach Mike Noonan said. “I am indebted to my staff and particular, recruiting coordinator, Phil Jones for another outstanding job in elevating the competition and depth within our squad.” 

The five players represent four different states and one country. The members of the class are: Michele Bottari (Prato, Italy), Andrew Burnikel (Greer, S.C.), Johnny Heckman (Franklin, Tenn.), Trey Langlois (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Amit Tal (Highland Park, Ill.). 

Below is a biography for each signee.

Michele Bottari 

Position: ForwardHometown: Prato, Italy (J.L. Mann High School, Greenville, S.C.)Club Team: South Carolina United Battery – Coach Rob Strickland

• Ranked No. 42 in College Soccer News’ 2015 recruiting class rankings
• St. Joseph’s Catholic High School Most Valuable Player
• School record holder for most goals in a season with 33
• US Soccer U15 National Team Camp invitee, Carson. Calif. March 2012
• SCSCA Class A All-State Team
• SCSoccer.com Super XXII Team member
• St. Joseph’s Catholic High School varsity team member
• 2012 NSCAA All-Region Team member
• 2012 South Carolina high school state champion
• 2011 SCYSA state champion as member of CESA 96 Premier
• 2010 SCYSA State Cup finalist
• 2010 Vulcan Cup champion
• 2010 Adidas Cup champion
• Third place at 2010 Disney Showcase
• 2010 Twin City Classic champion
• 2010 Alliance Fall Classic finalist
• 2009 Twin City Classic finalist
• 2009 St. Francis Soccer Classic champion 

Andrew Burnikel

Position: DefenderHometown: Greer, S.C. (St. Joseph’s Catholic High School)Club Team: CESA 96B Premier – Coach Russell Shelley

• St. Joseph’s Catholic High School South Carolina state champion in 2012, 13 and 14
• Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) Youth Soccer State Champion – 2010 and 2014
• Four year variety letterman in soccer
• Named to numerous all-region and all-state teams in high school
• Older brothers Alex and Austen Burnikel both have played soccer at Clemson
• Alex played from 2011-2013, Austen is a second-semester sophomore on the team and led the team in total goals during the 2014 season

Johnny Heckman

Position: MidfieldHometown: Franklin, Tenn. (Centennial High School)Club Team: Tennessee Soccer Club 15 – Coach Kenny Heckman

• Decorated member of the Tennessee Soccer Club
• Led the club in goals scored and assists in past seasons
• Member of five state championship-winning club teams
• Member of the Region III Olympic Player Development Pool
• Region Premier League scoring leader in 2012-13
• Served as team captain for three consecutive seasons
• Two-time winner of the Underclassman Of The Year award in high school
• Three-time varsity letter-winner, with the fourth coming this spring
• Participated in an English tour in 2010 in which his teams competed against development teams from Arsenal, Tottenham, Fulham and Bournemouth
• Father Kenny Heckman played varsity soccer at the University of Memphis from 1982-1985 and served as team captain

Trey Langlois

Position: DefenderHometown: Jacksonville, Fla. (Bishop Kenny High School)Club Team: Jacksonville Futbol Club Academy (JFC) – Coach Joey Barrett

• Varsity soccer starter  and leading scorer all four years at Bishop Kenny High School
• Named All-Offensive MVP following his sophomore, junior and senior seasons
• Named to the “Top Five to Watch in Jacksonville Soccer” list
• Named team captain during his junior and senior seasons
• Named Tournament MVP and to the All-Tournament team at the Berkeley Prep Tournament during his senior year
• Named a Scholar Athlete all four years in high school for maintaining a 4.5 GPA while participating in seasonal sports and and named to the Presidential Honor Roll all four years
• Member of the fourth-ranked club team (JFC) in the nation in the U-19 category
• CASL 2015 Group Champions
• Disney Showcase Top-Flite finalist
• High school 2015 district champion
• Competed in soccer, track and football at Bishop Kenny High School
• Scored 50 goals and tallied 24 assists during his senior soccer season
• Won the 2A Florida District Championship with his JFC Elite Club in 2015
• Scored 14 goals with nine assists during the 2014 fall club season
• In track, he was a Top-Flite finalist at the Disney Showcase event, running a 50.8 second 400 meter, a personal best

Amit Tal

Position: DefenderHometown: Highland Park, Ill. (Highland Park High School)Club Team: Chicago Magic PSG – Coach Pascal Bedrossian 

• Featured player on academy roster for two seasons
• Finished in third place among development academy teams during the 2013-14 season
• Scored three goals as a left-back in first half of the 2014-15 season
• High school varsity career cut short due to injury