FORT MYERS, Fla. – Coming off an unprecedented fifth-straight Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season championship and third trip to the NCAA Tournament in only four seasons of eligibility, the FGCU men's soccer team has added a top-100 recruit to its roster as head coach Bob Butehorn announced that Dennis Zapata has joined the Eagles.
 
An attacking midfielder, Zapata graduated from University High School in Orlando last spring before taking a semester off and enrolling at FGCU. Since graduating from University HS, Zapata has been a key member of the Orlando City Under-18 Academy Team, having scored four goals this season after assisting on 25 of the club's 63 goals last year.
 
A nationally-heralded player throughout his high school career, Zapata was ranked as high as No. 45 in his class at his position as a sophomore in 2012 by Top Drawer Soccer. The outlet also had him listed as the No. 150 player in the country the same year before moving up to No. 95 last spring as named by OWTY (O When The Yanks – a top American soccer prospect site). Zapata was listed as a four-star recruit (out of five) upon graduation by Top Drawer Soccer.
 
"We are very excited to have Dennis join our program," said Butehorn. "His unique combination of technical ability, athleticism and awareness will fill our midfield needs extremely well."
 
Zapata was an all-conference team member and captain throughout his time at University HS. He was also on the ODP (Olympic Development Program) National Champion Team from Florida in 2012, the same year he was named to the ODP Region III All-Tournament Team.
 
In addition, Zapata played his club soccer for CFK Black, winning the U16 Florida Premier League Championship – among several titles and runner-up tournament finishes – in 2012, the same year he was named Player of the Year.
 
Competing in its first season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA), Orlando City U18 – the parent club of Major League's Soccer newest franchise Orlando City SC – is currently in fifth place out of 12 clubs in the Southeast Division. Zapata's four goals through the first 14 games of the season were the third-most on the team, and he had played in every game and made 12 starts.
 
Zapata started classes at FGCU this past week. He will have four years of eligibility with the Green and Blue, beginning in the fall as he'll look to help fill the void left by three members of FGCU's midfield core which are expected to graduate next year. More players are expected to join the Eagles when the initial NLI signing period begins on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men's soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer and Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer.
 
COACH BUTEHORN
FGCU is led by Bob Butehorn, who has coached 45 A-Sun All-Conference selections since FGCU started its program in 2007. In just four years of postseason eligibility, Butehorn has guided FGCU to three A-Sun Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances – in 2011, 2012 and 2014 – and has won an unprecedented five-straight A-Sun regular-season championships. His teams have been ranked nationally on several occasions by multiple media outlets, and in 2013 he won his 100th career game.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visitwww.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.