Call it the house that Bruce built.

The house being the University of Virginia soccer program and Bruce, of course, being the inimitable Bruce Arena, who guided the Cavaliers to four consecutive NCAA titles from 1991 to 1994.

Although Arena has moved on to the bigger waters of MLS, new Virginia coach George Gelnovatch is still enjoying the largess of his predecessor’s legacy.

In a rich recruiting year, Gelnovatch landed what could be the school’s best freshman class of all-time.

“They have to build a fence around that place to keep them from getting in,” quipped Manny Schellscheidt of Seton Hall, whose team will face the Cavaliers at home next season.

The projected starting lineup for Virginia looks like a who’s who of current and past youth national teams.

“In `91 we brought in three guys with national team experience Claudio Reyna, Clint Peay and A.J. Wood, that was a very good class,” says Gelnovatch. “This year we have six of those guys. Although none of them are at the level of Reyna… this class in terms of quality in sheer numbers [is better].

“You never know until you have them and see how they develop, but each one of these guys fits into how we play, each one will fill a role. All six will challenge for a [starting] spot.”

Top on the list of the new Cavaliers is Region II super recruit midfielder Jason Moore (Lawrenceville, Ga.), who plays with the U.S. U-20 national team.

The rest all come out of Region I.

Forward Chris Albright should add some punch to the attack.

Midfielders Ryan Trout and Mike McQuarters bring different elements to the Cavaliers’ midfield. Trout, a deceptive dribbler with speed, will most likely play on the flank, while McQuarters, a possession player who can win the 50-50 balls, will probably play defensive center midfield.

“He’s not the fastest or most athletic,” says Gelnovatch of McQuarters. “but he’s the best soccer player [out of his Region I recruits].”

On defense Virginia adds Chad Prince and Mike Feller.

Prince’s strength, according to Gelnovatch, is his tactical knowledge. Feller is a solid, blue-collar defender.

“He doesn’t make bad decisions,” says Gelnovatch of Feller. “He’s not noticeable in there and I don’t mean that in a bad sense. He just doesn’t make mistakes and plays it simple.”

ACC teams hoarded the top Region I players, with Maryland, North Carolina and Clemson each signing players that should help them next season.

Maryland welcomes two forwards in Robert Birch and Jason Sardis.

New Tar Heels are goalkeeper Dan Popik and midfielder Matt Laycock.

Laycock, who is listed with the U.S. under-18 team as a defender, has great technical skills for a big man (6-4) and will probably slot into central midfield with the Tar Heels.

Clemson, meanwhile, picked up the sleeper of the region in striker Giuliano Celenza, whose club team, Columbia United, won the under-17 national club championship last year. Celenza, who was also the MVP of the Maryland high schools all-star game, was the territorial pick by the NPSL’s Baltimore Spirit in its latest draft. Although Celenza did not participate in the ODP camps, he has reportedly caught the attention of U-20 coach Jay Hoffman.

“[Celenza] should be at the top of the list [for Region I recruits],” says Clemson coach Trevor Adair, who also picked up a sound defender in Mike Potempa, another under-18 national team member.

by Soccer America Associate Editor Poul Swain

Soccer America’s Super 11 Recruits (Region I)

G Dan Popik Long Island, N.Y. North Carolina

Good on crosses, very agile

D Mike Feller Richmond, Va. Virginia

Hard tackler with good feet

D Mike Potempa Hunt Valley, Md. Clemson

Solid defender with great stamina

D Chad Prince Syosset, N.Y. Virginia

Tactically smart, a leader

M Matt Laycock Ellicott City, Md. North Carolina

At 6-4 good in air, surprisingly good on ground

M Mike McQuarters Clay, N.Y. Virginia

Defensive midfielder keeps possession

M Ryan Trout Media, Pa. Virginia

Fast and athletic, great dribbler

F Chris Albright Philadelphia, Pa. Virginia

Best athlete of group, strong and fast

F Robert Birch Long Island, N.Y. Maryland

Active player gets behind defenses

F Giuliano Celenza Balt., Md. Clemson

Explosive player, unselfish

F Jason Sardis New Hyde Park, N.Y. Maryland

Left footer who can beat defenders