WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - William and Mary men's soccer head coach Chris Norris has announced a five-player recruiting class for the 2012 season.  The incoming student-athletes will join a talented Tribe squad, who climbed to eighth in the country last season in the national polls.

The five-player class joining the Green and Gold this fall includes: Jeff Bombelles (Norfolk, Va.), Jackson Eskay (Damascus, Md.), Ryan Flesch (Manassas, Va.), Tyler Kent (Woodbridge, Va.), and David "Mac" Phillips (Rocky Mount, Va.).

Tribe Head Coach Chris Norris on the 2012 Class:
"We are really excited to add these five young men to our program and our William and Mary community.  All five individuals impressed us throughout the recruiting process, not only in their playing abilities, but in their commitment to academic excellence and, most importantly, in their character.  From a soccer standpoint, these additions address some specific positional needs and improve our ability to get results, while aspiring to a standard of play that is entertaining for our fans."

Jeff Bombelles - Midfielder - Norfolk, Va. - (Maury H.S.)
High School:  Four-year letterwinner as a center midfielder for head coach Moshin Bouziane at Maury High School ... Named Eastern District Player of the Year in 2012 ... Garnered First-Team All-State, First Team All-Tidewater and First-Team Eastern Region accolades in 2012 ... Earned First-Team Eastern District honors in 2011 ... Member of the state ODP team from 2008-2012 ... Member of Region 1 ODP team from 2010-2012 ... Member of Beach FC soccer from 2007-2012 ... Member of the French Honor's Society ...

Personal: Son of Mark and Wendy Bombelles ... Enjoys golf and the outdoors ... Member of the AC Norfolk coaching staff ...  

Coach Norris on Bombelles: "Jeff is a lynchpin player.  He is rarely flashy, but rather has a consistent, steadying presence.  He has good technique, a very high soccer IQ, is physically strong and mentally tough.  We envision Jeff playing in the middle of midfield for us, primarily as a defensive or possession midfielder.  We expect him to really push our returning central midfielders for time."

Jackson Eskay - Forward/Midfielder - Damascus, Md. - (Urbana H.S.)
High School:  Four-year letterwinner serving as a forward and midfielder for head coach Scott Schartner at Urbana High School ... A 2012 First-Team All-State selection ... Finished his career ranking second in assists and fourth in points at Urbana ... Selected to the 2012 Washington Post All-Metro Second-Team ... Earned First-Team All-Area accolades in 2012 ... Garnered First-Team All-Conference honors in 2012 ... Earned Second-Team All-Area and All-Conference distinctions in 2011 ... Member of the Urbana team's that were 4A State Finalist in 2010 and 2011 ... Member of the Maryland ODP team from 2007-2012 ... Region 1 ODP team member from 2007-2011 ...

Personal:  Son of Jackie and Bo Eskay ... Both parents are 1988 graduates of the College ... Father played soccer at W&M ... Mother was a member of the W&M track team ... Grandfather played basketball at the College ... Enjoys music, reading, video games and hanging out with friends ...

Coach Norris on Eskay: "Jackson brings creativity, deception, vision and great technique.  He is a rare talent in his ability to score goals and create chances for others.  It is a joy to watch him take on defenders.  With a good summer of training, we are convinced that he can have an immediate impact this fall.  His talent and versatility will enable him to compete right away for time at center forward, attacking midfield, or as a winger."

Ryan Flesch - Midfielder - Manassas, Va. - (Osbourn Park H.S.)
High School: A three-year letterwinner as a midfielder for head coach Larry Nemeow at Osbourn Park ... Named Potomac News and Messenger Player of the Year in 2012 ... Garnered Second-Team All-State honors in 2011 and 2012 ... Was a First-Team Cardinal District selection in 2011 and 2012 ... Earned Washington Post First-Team All-Metro and Northwest All-Region accolades in 2011 and 2012 ... Virginia ODP team member from 2008-2011 ... Region 1 ODP team member from 2010-2011 ... Member of the VISTA RFC 93 State Cup championship team in 2011 ... National Honor Society member ... Graduated Summa Cum Laude and was in the top five percent of his class at Osbourn Park ...

Personal:  Son of Cheryl and Michael Flesch ... Enjoys science and playing sports with friends ...

Coach Norris on Flesch: "Ryan is one of the most tactically mature players we have seen in a long while.  He is tremendous at being able to set up combination play.  He also has excellent vision and the technical prowess to play the critical penetrating pass.  Ryan also possesses great leadership potential and is a fierce competitor.  Another versatile player, Ryan can play almost anywhere, but will most likely compete right away for time in the middle of midfield or as a winger."

Tyler Kent - Midfielder - Woodbridge, Va. - (Woodbridge Senior H.S.)
High School:  Four-year letter winner as a midfielder for head coach Ben Plummer at Woodbridge Senior High School ... A team-captain his senior year in 2012, was named Honorable Mention All-Cardinal District despite being limited to four games by injury ...  Group AAA Northwest Region First-Team Selection in 2011 ... Earned Washington Post All-Metro Honorable Mention accolades in 2011 ... Garnered Cardinal District First-Team distinctions in 2009, 2010 and 2011 ... Member of the PWSI Courage 93' Red team that was a state cup finalist in 2009 ... Also a member of the PWSI Courage 93' Red team from 2009-2012 ... Editor-in-Chief of his high school newspaper ... Vice President of his Senior Class ... Member of the National Honor Society, German Club and BETA Club ...

Personal: Son of Gisa and John Kent ... Enjoys sports, working out, chess and hanging out with friends ...

Coach Norris on Kent: "Tyler's greatest attribute is his physicality.  At a strong 6'4", with great range and endurance, Tyler will instantly create matchup problems for our opponents.  In addition to his strength and ability to cover ground, Tyler is also very good in the air.  Despite having been a central player for most of his young career, we anticipate him featuring as an outside back or winger.  How quickly he adjusts to the speed of play in college will determine whether he can break into the team in either of those roles next year.  Regardless, we are extremely excited about his upside."

David "Mac" Phillips - Goalkeeper - Rocky Mount, Va. - (Franklin County H.S.)
High School:  Three-year letterwinner as a goalkeeper for head coach Curtis Bumgardner at Franklin County High School ... Was a 2012 team-captain ... Earned First-Team All-State and First-Team All-Region distinctions in 2012 ... Named to the All-Western Valley District First-Team in 2011 and 2012 ... Member of the Valley AFC soccer club ... Was a two-year letterwinner in basketball for head coach Lloyd Chruch at Franklin County High School ... Was a team-captain in 2012 ... Earned All-Western Valley District First-Team honors in 2012 ...

Personal: Son of Amy and David Phillips ... Father played basketball at Old Dominion ... Enjoys playing sports and spending time with family ...  

Coach Norris on Phillips: "Mac came onto our radar somewhat late in the recruiting process, but we are thrilled that he did.  Mac is an extremely agile, athletic goalkeeper.  He has the ability to make the kind of saves that make you stop and question what you just saw.  He is fearless in goal and thrives on being the last line of defense.  Mac is also a very good distributor of the ball.  We have a young goalkeeping corps and Mac certainly brings some different qualities to the group.  It will be very interesting to see how quickly he adapts and can compete for time."

For all the latest on W&M men's soccer go to TribeAthletics.com