June 25, 2010

NORFOLK, VA-- Monarch incoming freshman Ryan Oakes, a 6-1, 180-pounder from Cox High School has been named Virginia AAA Player of the Year and The Virginian Pilot's All-Tidewater Player of the Year. In all Oakes is a four-time All-Tidewater first teamer and two-time All-State selection.

Another ODU signee Alex Vaughan, a forward from Kempsville High School was named first team All-Tidewater. Vaughan scored 10 goals and led Kempsville in assists.

Ryan Oakes (Virginia Beach, Va.),the 2010 Eastern Region Player of the Year helped lead Cox High School to their second straight Virginia High School AAA State title and a perfect 25-0 season with a 2-1 win over Battlefield Saturday. He scored three goals with seven assists while playing both on defense and offense.

Oakes also helped Cox reach the 2008 State Quarterfinals and in 2007 reaching the State Semifinals. He has split time between offense and defense and was named the 2009 NSCAA/adidas High School State Player of the Year en route to an All-American nod as well. He earned NSCAA/adidas and ESPN RISE All-American honors in 2009, leading Cox in scoring in each of his first three seasons. He scored 15 goals with eight assists in 2009.

Oakes is a highly decorated player, coming into his senior season as a three-time First Team All-Eastern Region, All-Beach District, All-Tidewater and two-time First Team All-State player. He has captained the Beach FC club team for six of his eight years on the team, and helped lead the team to the U18 State Cup Semifinals.

Joining Oakes as newcomers to the Monarchs in 2010 are Gideon Asante (Sunyani, Ghana), Mason Page (Chesterfield, Va.), Mitch Pfautz (Mission Viejo, Calif.), and Alex Vaughan (Virginia Beach,Va.).