Marquette Men's Soccer Signs Top 15 Recruiting Class

February doesn't mean just Signing Day for college football.  It's also Signing Day for other sports, too, and as such, Marquette men's soccer coach Louis Bennett has announced a five man signing class that ranks in the top 15 in the country according to Top Drawer Soccer.  It's the third consecutive recruiting class in that ranking range for Bennett.

The recruiting class is headlined by two IMG Academy Top 75 recruits: Ruben Sanchez, a midfielder from Illinois that's ranked #59 in the country, and Kees Westra, a defender from Monroe, Washington, that checks in at #66.  The class is rounded out by goalie Luis Barraza (Saint Teresa, New Mexico/RSL-Arizona), midfielder/forward Tobin "Toby" Howell (Bradenton, FL/St. Stephen's/Chargers SC), and midfielder Ben Tweedie (Naples, FL/Naples High School).

"The 2015 class was targeted at filling gaps in the squad and improving the depth with quality student-athletes," Bennett said in a statement. "This goal has been achieved with a well-balanced, talented, ambitious and committed group that will embrace the Marquette style, brand and culture."

It's possible and even likely that several of these men will be asked, or perhaps even expected to step in and contribute to Marquette's lineup in 2015.  Westra is the most likely candidate as MU will be looking to replace both Axel Sjoberg at center back and Brady Wahl in the defensive midfield.  With the departures of both goalie Charlie Lyon (eligibility) and forward Coco Navarro (signed with Real Monarchs), there are lots of open holes elsewhere on the field as well.  I wouldn't expect Barraza to step into the net immediately, but Bennett said in the press release that Howell provides depth at striker.  It's possible that he could step into Navarro's open spot in the starting eleven.

You can read more about each of the five players and what Bennett has to say about each of them right here.