May 3, 2010
ADDING A KEEPER
Wisconsin brings in new recruit

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin men’s soccer team has added a goalkeeper to its 2010 recruiting class with the signing of Kent Kobernus to a National Letter of Intent.

Kobernus, of Millstadt, Ill., joins 10 other players who previously signed with the Badgers for the 2010 season.

“Kent is an outstanding young man and his qualities will allow him to follow in the long line of top goalkeepers here at UW,” said first year Badgers coach John Trask. “When looking at the roster and adding two quality keepers, Max Jentsch and Kent, along with returners Ryan Vint and Jamal Habibi, we should be very solid in the goalkeeping group.”

Kobernus has spent the past three years as a goalkeeper for coach Dale Schilly and the St. Louis-based Metro United club, which is part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He has trained with the United’s parent organization, the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro club, since he was 8 years old.

In 2008, Kobernus was selected to take part in the U.S. Under-17 National Team training camp in Chicago.

“Kent is a member of the Scott Gallagher Metro program and has had excellent training and competition with coach Schilly’s club,” Trask said. “We are excited to have Kent join us, and we think he has the tools to compete for playing time immediately.”

Kobernus was a three-time All-Southwestern Conference selection for Belleville West High School, helping lead the Maroons to a regional final as a junior in 2008. He also earned all-section honors twice and was named to the St. Louis Post Dispatch All-Area team as a senior in 2009.

Kobernus holds Belleville school records that include marks for lowest career goals-against average (0.77) and career shutouts (29.5). He also owns the school’s single-season records for goals-against average (0.70) and shutouts (11).

In addition to the 11 freshmen who will join the team this fall, the Badgers also have added transfer Josh Thiermann to the roster. Thiermann will compete as a senior at UW after beginning his career at Notre Dame