Five CAA Men’s Soccer Players Named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Midseason Freshman Top 100 10/21/2025 3:00:00 PM Ben Kane LONG BEACH, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2025) – Five CAA men’s soccer players were named Top Drawer Soccer’s Midseason Top 100 Freshman for the 2025 season. Monmouth defender Damian Taraska, Hofstra midfielder Samuel Francou, Hofstra defender Jan Ziewiec, Monmouth midfielder Jessy Bichler, and Drexel midfielder Jack Shannon all earned recognition for their performances thus far. Taraksa ranked the highest amongst his conference peers, placing 34th on the list. Playing in his home state of New Jersey, the Saddle Brook alum has played every minute of the Hawks’ 13 games. Contributing to two clean sheets, Taraska has helped restrict his opponents to 1.308 goals per game, the second fewest in the North Division. The freshman’s lone goal of the season came in a non-conference battle against Iona on Sept. 2. Francou was one of two CAA players to crack the top-50, claiming the 45th spot. The Australian has started 12 of the Pride’s 13 contests, playing the third most minutes on the team at 1113. Francou has four points to his name compiling one goal and two assists. Ziewiec placed 50th on the list as the Pride’s minutes leader with 1158. The freshman defender has helped anchor his backline to the second-lowest goals allowed in the CAA with 11, including five shutouts. Ziewiec has one goal to his name, heading home the opener in a 2-1 win over Columbia on Sept. 23. Bichler came in at No. 52 on the list, having played in 12 of 13 games for Monmouth. The Canadian midfielder has one point across his 983 minutes of action, tallying an assist in the first conference game of his career against Stony Brook on Aug. 30. Shannon rounds out the CAA’s presence on the national list ranking No. 59. Earning CAA Rookie of the Week on Sept. 22, the Houston resident has tallied one goal and three assists to rank third amongst the Dragons in points. Shannon’s best performances came in mid-September, recording all of his points during the stretch including a two-assist showing in a win over Stony Brook. Follow the CAA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get up-to-date information and learn more about the CAA’s member institutions and their teams.