Balog introduces 2 more recruits for fall 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Wednesday, June 14, 2017 Balog introduces 2 more recruits for fall 2017

MSUB’s men’s soccer program introduces two more recruits for the 2017 season, in Italian Luca Battistotti, and California native Javier Hernandez.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Announcing the addition of two more players to its roster on Wednesday, the Montana State University Billings men’s soccer team will welcome Luca Battistotti and Javier Hernandez for the upcoming fall 2017 season.

The two new letter of intent signings push head coach Alex Balog’s total number of incoming players for 2017 to nine, after seven previous signings for the Yellowjackets.

Battistotti will be a freshman in the fall, and will enter MSUB’s program as a defender. A native of San Rocco al Porto, Italy, Battistotti played three seasons in the fourth division in Italy. He helped his team to a national championship in 2016, competing among the top under-18 boys soccer players in the nation.

“I chose MSUB because I believe that it’s the right place for my academic and soccer goals,” said Battistotti. “Also, I think it is a good opportunity to prove myself and learn a new culture. This experience will help me grow as a person, and I am looking forward to interacting with new people. I am really interested in the soccer program, and I’m looking forward to winning with them.”

Battistotti, a 5-foot-9 defender, attended Liceo Scientifico Melchiorre Gioia, a high school in Piacenza, Italy.

“We are thrilled that a player of Luca’s caliber has decided to commit to MSUB,” said Balog. “Luca’s versatility and ability to play anywhere on the back line will be an asset to us, and we believe he will contribute right from the get-go. With his playing background and proven academic success, we are convinced Luca will be a great fit for our program both on and off the field.”

Hernandez is a native of Pittsburg, Calif., and will provide the Yellowjackets with depth at the goalkeeper position. The dual-sport athlete as a prep player at Pittsburg High School earned four letters in soccer and two as a kicker on the Pirates’ football team. As a senior last season, Hernandez served as team captain and was a first-team all-Bay Valley Athletic Conference selection. The 5-foot-8 goalie also earned all-league honors as a sophomore and a junior.

“I chose MSUB because when I went on my visit, I instantly felt welcomed and I saw what a brotherhood looks like,” Hernandez said. “I have heard that MSUB plays in a very competitive conference, and was told by a friend that I would have a great experience in the program.”

“We saw how talented Javier is when he came on his visit, and we are pleased to have gotten a well-rounded studentathlete into MSUB,” said Balog. “He will learn from Tom Lohmann what goalkeeping at our level is about, and that will help push him hard this coming season.”

MSUB is coming off a 9-6-3 season in 2016, in which the Yellowjackets went 5-4-3 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play and finished in fourth place in the league.

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