(Editor's note: Carroll College media release)
HELENA -- Carroll College men’s soccer coach Doug Mello announced the signing of eight student-athletes to his 2020 recruiting class.
Mello scoured Montana and across the United States to bring another formidable class into the men’s soccer ranks.
State-wide, the Saints signed the top three scorers in Montana AA boys soccer. Bozeman High’s Zach Springer led the state in scoring, while Helena Capital High’s Caleb Hoxie and Ryan Quinn were just behind. All three bolster the Saints' firepower.
Beyond pulling top talent in Montana, Mello signed a host of playmakers from across the United States. A pair of Wisconsinites will figure into the future of the Saints, while Mello also tapped talent from Iowa and Florida.
Here’s a more detailed looked at the next Carroll College Fighting Saints.
Zach Springer joins the Saints after a standout career with the Bozeman Hawks. The forward holds the Montana Class AA scoring record and is No. 2 in the record book for assists. He helped the Hawks win a state championship, has three times been selected as all-state and has taken home the state MVP and Montana Gatorade Player of the Year award. He tallied 18 goals and 16 assists his senior year.
"Zach is a goal scorer extraordinaire from his striker position. Having set the state career scoring record, he has the proven ability to put the ball in the back of the net,” Mello said. “He also picks up a number of assists with his pinpoint passing. Wrap that up with his quick speed of play, top level one-on-one moves and it's not hard to figure out why he was named Gatorade Player of the Year.”
Springer played club with the Bozeman Blitzz since he was 5 years old.
“I really like the environment around the team, and academically it is a great place to study and still be close to home,” Springer said of his decision to join the Saints.
He plans to study business management and marketing. He is the son of Mike and Meg Springer.
Caleb Hoxie graduated from Helena Capital High, capping off his career with a 2019 all-state nod and was named Independent Record’s All-Area Boys Soccer Player of the Year. The midfielder scored 17 goals and recorded 11 assists during his senior campaign with the Bruins. He was also selected as a 2018 all-conference performer. Throughout his career he helped the Bruins win six playoff games.
“Caleb playing out of the central midfield is someone who controls the middle of the pitch with his aggressive style,” Mello said. “He is able to snuff out an opponent's attack and then counter with a probing pass or shot on goal. I've been impressed with his talents from his early days of attending our Carroll summer camp.”
He played club soccer for Three Rivers SC for two years and then spent six years with Helena Arsenal.
Hoxie on signing with Carroll: “It is an amazing school and is close to home.”
He is the son of Mike and Kim Hoxie.
Carson Gorton is a 6-6 goalkeeper from Marion, Iowa. Gorton competed for Marion High, losing out on a senior season due to COVID-19. As a junior, he started 15 games, posting a 14-1 record with 57 saves. He allowed just five goals, a save percentage of 91.9 percent with 10 clean sheets. He was a second team all-conference selection as well as the All-Metro Goalkeeper of the Year.
“I chose Carroll because of Coach Mello, the beautiful campus and the small size of the college,” Gorton said. “Coach Mello has so much experience as a collegiate head coach and I look forward to learning everything I can from him and the rest of the coaching staff.”
He plans to double major in financial planning and accounting while becoming a cadet in the Army ROTC Program.
He is the son of Timothy and Rose Gorton.
An Eau Claire, Wisconsin native, Logan Junker comes to the Saints after prepping at Memorial High. The center back capped his career with six goals and 10 assists during his senior year. He was a two-time all-conference selection, and an all-state performer his senior year, while serving as the team’s captain. He twice helped Memorial High to the state semifinals.
“Logan is an attack-minded central defender who has scored a bevy of goals from set pieces,” Mello said. “He is strong in the air and almost impossible to beat off the dribble. Logan is not a stay at home defender but a talent we will encourage to move up into the attack.”
He played club for Eau Claire United for eight years and St. Croix Academy for a year.
“I chose to attend Carroll College because of Carroll’s strong pre-med program, tight knit community and excellent soccer program,” Junker said.
He plans to study health sciences.
Luke Rosenberger also comes to the Saints out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The winger also played for Memorial High, recording 16 goals and 14 assists during his senior season. He became a first team all-conference selection.
“A chip off the old block, Luke follows in the tradition of excellence his dad Dave exhibited while playing for me at Luther College,” Mello said. “He possesses great field vision, a knack for being where the ball is, and a deft first touch, which will make him a threat at outside mid. Luke also competes in cross country skiing so his fitness level is through the roof.”
Rosenberger played club soccer for St. Croix Academy for five years.
He is the son of Dave and Melinda Rosenberger. He intends to study biology while at Carroll.
Ryan Quinn comes to Carroll from just down the road at Capital High. Quinn helped the Bruins set a record in team goals scored this past season, while earning Montana AA all-state honors. He scored 21 goals and had 12 assists during his senior season. Quinn competed in three sports for the Bruins. In addition to soccer, he played football and basketball.
“Ryan's many soccer talents at forward are complemented by his breakaway speed,” Mello said. “Releasing him on the wing will create numerous offensive opportunities. Ryan can also contribute as a tenacious defender to the squad's future success.”
Matt Wigton also joined the Saints after a strong career with Capital High. Wigton scored 10 goals and recorded five assists last season.
“Matt is our third player off a very talented Capital HS team,” Mello said. “Moving to town from Baltimore he scored in double figures while playing forward/mid. Matt is an accurate passer, cracks a hard shot, and is a cheeky ball handler.”
Ryan Croft is a goalkeeper from Fleming Island, Florida. Croft played for St. Johns Country Day in Florida was honored as All First Coast his senior year. He was selected to play in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Classic.
“After coming to our camp last summer Ryan impressed the coaching staff with his technical netminding,” Mello said. “He came off a solid senior year and we look forward to him fighting for playing time in our very competitive keeper cauldron.”
