Northwestern University Athletics
Lenahan Announces Addition of Two Student-Athletes to Program
8/11/2015 2:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern head men's soccer coach Tim Lenahan has announced the addition of Willis Griffith and Braden Thuraisingham to the program
Griffith, a junior defender, started 35 games at center back for Villanova the last two seasons and will have two years of eligibility remaining for the 'Cats. Thuraisingham joins the Wildcats as a part of their incoming freshmen class and should provide depth at the goalkeeper position.
Griffith started every game he appeared in at Villanova, scoring a pair of goals and tallying a pair of assists. He was named to the BIG EAST weekly Honor Roll on Sept. 9, 2013.
A native of Amherst, New Hampshire, Griffith was a First Team All-State selection, served as a team captain at Southegan High School and was a co-captain for the New England Revolution Academy unit in which he led the club in minutes played.
Griffith has spent three years on the New England Revolution academy team, has made finals week appearances in MLS Reserve Division matches and trains with the first team.
"Willis comes to us as a two-year starters at Villanova," said Lenahan. "He is left footed, has great size and a very good touch for a big guy. As a standout with the New England Revolution Academy, I think once he adapts to his new teammates and the specific culture of our program here at Northwestern, he will be an excellent player in the Big Ten."
Thuraisingham posted 18 shutouts as a three-year starter for Los Osos High School in San Jose, California, serving as his team captain as a senior. He led his team to Baseline League championships in 2012 and 2013 and was a Baseline/Mt. Baldy League All-Start in 2014 and 2015 while also earning First-Team All-Baseline his junior and senior seasons.
He spent three seasons with Arsenal FC BU-19 and played in the SCDSL for two seasons.
"We were tipped off to Braden by University of Chicago Head Coach (former NU Assistant) of a goalkeeper who was a little under the radar and to take a look at his video," said Lenahan. "Since Braden chose to play high school instead of academy and his high school season in California is a spring sport, this was one of the reasons he was late in the recruiting process. After assistant coach Jeff Oleck flew out to see him play and train, he looked just as good live. Good quickness, length and presence and could make him a very good player at Northwestern."
The Wildcats open the 2015 regular season on August 29 against Colgate at UIC's Flames Field.
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Griffith, a junior defender, started 35 games at center back for Villanova the last two seasons and will have two years of eligibility remaining for the 'Cats. Thuraisingham joins the Wildcats as a part of their incoming freshmen class and should provide depth at the goalkeeper position.
Griffith started every game he appeared in at Villanova, scoring a pair of goals and tallying a pair of assists. He was named to the BIG EAST weekly Honor Roll on Sept. 9, 2013.
A native of Amherst, New Hampshire, Griffith was a First Team All-State selection, served as a team captain at Southegan High School and was a co-captain for the New England Revolution Academy unit in which he led the club in minutes played.
Griffith has spent three years on the New England Revolution academy team, has made finals week appearances in MLS Reserve Division matches and trains with the first team.
"Willis comes to us as a two-year starters at Villanova," said Lenahan. "He is left footed, has great size and a very good touch for a big guy. As a standout with the New England Revolution Academy, I think once he adapts to his new teammates and the specific culture of our program here at Northwestern, he will be an excellent player in the Big Ten."
Thuraisingham posted 18 shutouts as a three-year starter for Los Osos High School in San Jose, California, serving as his team captain as a senior. He led his team to Baseline League championships in 2012 and 2013 and was a Baseline/Mt. Baldy League All-Start in 2014 and 2015 while also earning First-Team All-Baseline his junior and senior seasons.
He spent three seasons with Arsenal FC BU-19 and played in the SCDSL for two seasons.
"We were tipped off to Braden by University of Chicago Head Coach (former NU Assistant) of a goalkeeper who was a little under the radar and to take a look at his video," said Lenahan. "Since Braden chose to play high school instead of academy and his high school season in California is a spring sport, this was one of the reasons he was late in the recruiting process. After assistant coach Jeff Oleck flew out to see him play and train, he looked just as good live. Good quickness, length and presence and could make him a very good player at Northwestern."
The Wildcats open the 2015 regular season on August 29 against Colgate at UIC's Flames Field.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and check us out on Instagram. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!
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