Goshen, IN — Goshen College men’s soccer coach Tavi Mounsithiraj announced the signing of 2005 Goshen High School graduate Rusty Emery to his list of incoming players Wednesday, giving his team even greater speed and game-instinct in the process. Emery is the third player to sign with the program this off-season, joining high school classmate Andrew Landis (click here for Landis article) and Evanston Township (Illinois) High School senior Peter Miller (click here for Miller article).

“This is an exciting time for us to have Rusty Emery coming to Goshen College to play soccer on our side,” Mounsithiraj said. “Rusty is such a great all-around player with good speed and knowledge of the game. He will help us anywhere on the field with his speed, and he has the ability to play great individual defense. We’re very excited that he has chosen to join our program.”

Emery was named his team’s Most Valuable Player following his senior season at Goshen High School, and was named to All-Nothern Lakes Conference honors as well. A three-year varsity starter, Emery helped lead his prep team to a sectional runner-up finish as a junior.

“Rusty is a great leader on and off the field,” said Viratham Mounsithiraj, Goshen High School head varsity soccer coach and younger brother of Tavi. “Rusty is very quick on the ball and is a great defender with strong tackling ability. He is a very good passer and has the skills to join in the attack as well.”

Emery said he chose Goshen College due in part to the strong academic background as well as his familiarity with the Leafs’ soccer program. An Academic All-State selection during his senior season, Emery said he plans to major in education once at Goshen.

“Goshen has a strong education program, and I wanted to play soccer at the college level,” Emery said. “From what I’ve seen, (Tavi’s) coaching style is very similar to (Viratham’s). I think I’ll really enjoy playing for Tavi. He’s done a good job of recruiting some local players, and I’ve got some friends coming here to play. I’m excited to help this team continue to succeed.”

The Leafs recorded the program’s most successful season since 1998 (a 14-4-4 overall record) in the fall of 2004, reaching NAIA Region VIII post-season play for the first time in four years. Mounsithiraj said he believes that Emery can contribute to next year’s squad in a multitude of ways, and is confident in his ability to succeed in the classroom as well. Emery boasted a cumulative GPA of 3.6 while at Goshen High School.

“Rusty was his team’s captain last year, and he has great leadership qualities,” Mounsithiraj said. “We are not only getting a solid soccer player, but a very intelligent kid. I am so excited that Rusty has decided to come to GC because I know he will fit in very well as a true student-athlete here.”

Check back to this website for continuing coverage of Goshen College men’s soccer off-season news, including recruiting updates, team news, schedule information and more. To contact Tavi Mounsithiraj, call him at (574) 535-7235 or click here to send him an email.