Wildcats soccer players sign collegiate letters of intent

Five members of the repeat Section IX Championship boys varsity soccer team signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) during a ceremony today in the WVHS Media Center. An NLI is a form completed to indicate a student’s commitment to play sports at NCAA colleges and universities.

The five young men join 18 other Wildcats who signed their letters earlier this year. Students, faculty, administration, family, and friends gain packed the WVHS Media Center to celebrate the occasion — the students’ hard work, their successes, and their bright futures.

Congratulations, everyone!

View a gallery of images from the signing after this story.

Kojo Adjei

Kojo joined the Wildcats this year from his former school in Atlanta, Georgia, and made immediate impact. Kojo signed his NLI to play soccer SUNY Oneonta (Oneonta, NY) in the NCAA D-III SUNYAC Conference. Kojo was recruited by Head Coach Lain Byrne, and was also heavily scouted by schools including Manhattan College, Marist and SUNY Albany. Kojo has been studying AP human geography, chemistry and taste of culinary, among other classes, and has maintained a cumulative GPA of 86.4. He plans to major in business at Oneonta. Congratulations to Kojo and his family — parents Angela and Michael, Koby, and Nana.

“I don’t have any words, but all I have to say is that I’m thankful to have this opportunity,” said Kojo. “Thankful for my parents, coaches and teachers for everything.”

Career Highlights

• All-State selection
• All-Region selection
• All-American selection
• Scored 13 goals in a single season from center back/left back position

View a gallery of images from the signing after this story.

Anthony Numssen

Anthony transferred from Saugerties in the middle of his junior year and played left winger. Anthony signed his NLI to play soccer at Misericordia University (Dallas, PA) in the NCAA D-III MAC Freedom Conference. Anthony chose Misericordia over other schools who scouted him, including MCLA, Johns Hopkins, Oneonta and New Paltz. His coursework includes AP government, AP computer science and cyber security, and he has maintained an impressive cumulative GPA of 96.84, which ranks him in top 25% of the Class of 2023. Anthony is a Merit Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship honoree, and plans to major in Computer Science. Congratulations to Anthony and is family, parents Angela and Peter, and sister Ilana.

“Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, friends and, most importantly, my parents, for driving me over an hour and a half to practice and an hour and a half back after their long day of work. I’m so grateful and appreciative. Thank you,” said Anthony.

Career Highlights

• 2021 All-Section selection (while in Saugerties)
• NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete
• Cedar Stars Academy player

View a gallery of images from the signing after this story.

Kayden Zachgo

Kayden is the Wildcats leading goal scorer for 2022 from striker position, and his aggressive play made the difference in many close contests for the Wildcats. Kayden signed his NLI to play soccer at Hartwick College (Oneonta, NY) in the NCAA Empire 8 Conference. Kayden was recruited by Assistant Head Coach Brandon Raynor, and was also scouted by Potsdam State, Polytech and King’s College. Kayden’s courses include AP government and politics, precalculus and chemistry, and he has maintained a cumulative GPA of 86. He plans to major in business administration. Congratulations to Kayden and his family, parents Bridget and Erik, Kailey, and Kody.

“I want to start by thanking my number one supporter, which is my mom. She always seemed to show up when possible, after long days at work. Thank you, dad, for always critiquing me on where I could improve and always congratulating me when I managed to do something right. Thank you both,” said Kayden. “Thank you to my teammates for always pushing me to be a better player, and thank you to every coach I’ve ever had.”

Career Highlights

• 2-year varsity player
• Back-to-back Section IX champion
• Section AA All-Coaches selection

View a gallery of images from the signing after this story.

Carson Rother

Captain during the 2022 season, Carson played holding midfielder for the Wildcats. He signed his NLI to play soccer for Utica University (Utica, NY) in the NCAA Empire 8 conference. Carson was recruited by head coach Brian Marcantonio, and was also scouted by soccer programs at Oswego, Potsdam, and New Paltz. Ha has maintained a cumulative GPA of 86, while managing a schedule tat includes  AP government and politics, precalculus and chemistry. Carson plans to major in Business Management. Congratulations to Carson and his family, parents Meredith and Kirk, Lillian, Chase and Cannon.

“I’d just like to thank, first, my friends and my teammates and my coaches for always pushing me, teaching me everything I know now, and just working hard and always pushing to help me get better and help each other get better along the way,” said Carson. “And I really want to express my gratitude to my parents because I realized how much money, number one — that’s a lot of money over these years… a lot of money — and the time driving nationally, and even doing international trips. I really appreciate that. Thank you. And to my coaches, friends, family and teammates, of course, and to the [team] at Utica for giving me this opportunity.”

Career Highlights

• 4-year varsity player
• Back-to-back Section IX champion
• Section IX Class AA Coaches All Star selection

View a gallery of images from the signing after this story.

Jacob McGowan

A 2022 team captain for the Wildcats at attacking midfielder,  Jacob signed his NLI to play soccer for SUNY Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh, NY) in the D-III SUNYAC Conference. Jake was recruited by head coach Chris Taylor, and was also scouted by soccer programs at Oswego, Cortland and New Paltz. While carrying an academic schedule including chemistry, algebra II and Spanish, Jacob has maintained a cumulative GPA of 84, and plans to major in business. Congratulations to Jacob and his family, parents Kelly and Patrick, and his brother Sean.

“I just want to thank my friends — some of them are here in the audience. They’re always supporting me and my teammates,” said Jacob. “I wouldn’t have rather played with any other team over these past two years, and thank you to my coaches. My biggest thank you goes out to my parents [for] always taking me everywhere — tournaments, practices — all the time, and never complaining about it. So, thank you, dad, I love you so much.”

Career Highlights

• 3-year varsity player
• Back-to-back Section IX champion
• 2-time Section IX Class AA Coaches All-Star selection