Valparaiso head men’s soccer coach Mike Avery announced this afternoon that Todd Vervynckt, a talented attacking player from Plymouth, Ind. (Plymouth H.S./Indiana Invaders FC), has signed a national letter of intent to join the Crusader squad as a freshman for the 2010 season.  Vervynckt’s addition brings the Crusaders’ incoming class for 2010 to nine players, and provides Valpo with another versatile newcomer that can immediately put his stamp on the program as it looks to build off of a successful 2009 season.

Vervynckt joins the Crusaders following a tremendous four-year high school career at Plymouth, where he led the Pilgrims in virtually every attacking category and helped his team reach new heights, including the program’s first sectional and regional titles in 2007.  Not only was Vervynckt a four-year starter for Coach Josh Martin’s squad, he was also named the team’s offensive MVP all four seasons.  With 78 goals in his high school career, including 26 in his senior year, Vervynckt was a three-time All-Northern Lakes Conference selection, a two time All-Region selection and an All-State honoree as a senior.  As a club soccer player, Vervynckt plays alongside fellow incoming freshman Ben Burnett for the Indiana Invaders.  Vervynckt is a standout in the classroom as well, and currently ranks academically as the number one student in his senior class at Plymouth.

“Todd is a great compliment to an already very good recruiting class, and we are thrilled he will be joining the Valparaiso soccer family,” said Avery.  “Todd is also the starting point guard on a good Plymouth basketball team, and he plays his soccer very similarly.  He gets forward quickly, he’s very alert, has great vision and he rarely turns over the ball.  He can score goals himself, and he can play others into dangerous goal-scoring positions with his passing.  He’s had great preparation for college with the Indiana Invaders and his coach Chad Riley, so his transition to college soccer should be smooth.  With his outstanding academic credentials and his desire to study engineering, Todd is a great fit for Valparaiso University."