Five Wildcats soccer players sign National Letters of Intent

Five members of the Wildcats Section IX champion boys varsity soccer team signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) during a ceremony April 27 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.

Kojo Adjei

Kojo joined the Wildcats this year from his former school in Atlanta, Georgia, and made immediate impact, scoring 13 goals in a single season from the center back/left back position. Kojo signed his NLI to play soccer SUNY Oneonta in the NCAA D-III SUNYAC Conference.

Kojo was recruited by Head Coach Lain Byrne, and was 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.

“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

Anthony Numssen

Anthony transferred from Saugerties in the middle of his junior year and played left wing. 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 course work 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 percent of the Class of 2023.

Anthony is a Merit Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship honoree, and plans to major in Computer Science.

“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,” Anthony said. “I’m so grateful and appreciative.”

Career highlights

2021 All-Section selection (while in Saugerties)

NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete

Cedar Stars Academy player

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,) 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, pre-calculus and chemistry and he has maintained a cumulative GPA of 86. He plans to major in business administration.

“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

Two-year varsity player

Back-to-back Section IX champion

Section AA All-Coaches selection

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) 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.

He 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.

“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

Four-year varsity player

Back-to-back Section IX champion

Section IX Class AA Coaches All Star selection

Jacob McGowan

A 2022 team captain for the Wildcats at attacking midfielder, Jacob signed his NLI to play soccer for SUNY Plattsburgh 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.

“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

Three-year varsity player

Back-to-back Section IX champion

Two-time Section IX Class AA Coaches All-Star selection