WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Head William & Mary men's soccer coach Chris Norris announced the signing of a pair of student-athletes for the 2017 season on Friday afternoon. Sam Golan and Derin Kokuuslu each signed their National Letter of Intent to join the Green and Gold as part of National Signing Day. 
 
"We are very pleased to announce the addition of these two fine student-athletes," Norris said.  "While we return nine starters from our 2016 Colonial Athletic Association finalist team, but both young men possess the quality and versatility to significantly contribute to our continued growth.  They have continually proven themselves on and off the playing field and will be great additions to our program, campus, and the greater Williamsburg community."
 
Sam Golan, Defender, 6-4, 180, Great Falls, Va./Langley
HIGH SCHOOL
About to play his senior year at Langley High School … Tabbed the 90th best recruit in 2017 by TopDrawerSoccer.com … Helped lead his high school to a state championship in 2015 … Named First-Team All-State in 2015 … Also picked up First-Team All-Conference and All-Region nods in 2015 … Tabbed by as Honorable Mention All-Met by the Washington Post in 2015 … Finished the 2015 season with three goals and four assists, for 10 points from his backline position … Played his club soccer with the Loudoun 98B Red from 2013-15 and 2016-17 … Helped that team to three State Cup championships, a Region Championship, and two National Semifinals … Also played a year with the Brighton and Hove Albion U18 Academy during 2015-16 … Earned the Academic Award for have a 4.0, and above, in 2014 and 2015.
 
PERSONAL
Son of Nathan and Pamela Golan … His uncle, David, played soccer at South Carolina (1984-88), while his aunt, Stefanie, played soccer at Duke (1997-01) … Plans on majoring in management and consulting at the college … Enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling to different countries, and playing FIFA with friends in his spare time.
 
Norris on Golan:
"Sam joins us from the highly successful Loudoun Soccer Club.  He is the prototypical central defender.  Sam is dominant in the air.  In addition, he possesses the mobility and agility to cope with dynamic attacking players on the ground.  Sam relishes the responsibility of leading his team to strong defensive performances.  He also has soft feet, a wide range of passing and a high soccer IQ.  These qualities enable him to initiate attacks from the back in a variety of ways, with minimal risk.  Although we return our two starting center backs, Sam is equipped to compete immediately for a starting role."
 
Derin Kokuuslu, Midfielder/Defender, 5-9, 165 Falls Church, Va./George Mason
HIGH SCHOOL
Did not compete in high school soccer due to participation in U.S. Soccer's Development Academy with D.C. United… He was a team captain for the DC United U16 and U18 teams, leading the U16 team to multiple playoff berths … Invited to numerous US Regional Training Centers … Played for Premier AC Soccer Club before joining D.C. United … Earned multiple Principal Scholar Awards. 
 
PERSONAL
Son of Serhan and Gulcin Kokuuslu … Plans on majoring in kinesiology here at the College … Enjoys listening music, exploring and vacationing in his free time.
 
Norris on Kokuuslu:
"Derin arrives from the well-regarded D.C. United Academy.  Derin is incredibly versatile.  He has enjoyed success as a defensive midfielder, box-to-box midfielder, right back and center back.  We are convinced that his versatility will translate to the college game.  Derin is a complete player.  He is a good athlete, with a very high work capacity.  He is good technically, possessing a wide range of passing.  Derin is also tough, mentally and physically.  He reads and understands the game very well.  Finally, he is a leader, both vocally, and by example.  We are confident that Derin will compete immediately for minutes in a number of different roles."
 
W&M won 12 games on its way to a berth to the CAA Championship match in 2016. The Tribe put together a pair of five-match winning streaks in the season, which was the first time a single-season saw a pair of five-game winning streaks since 1996. The Green and Gold welcomes back 25 players for next year's roster, including four of the top five scorers from 2016.