Naperville's Zimmer signs with NU

Northwestern head men's soccer coach Tim Lenahan has added seven players for the 2009 season. The group includes three defenders, two midfielders, a forward and a goalkeeper.

"This is a deep and talented class that is very well-rounded," Lenahan said. "We have added players on all parts of the field, some of whom we expect to help immediately. All the players have great experience as Regional level players and all come from successful high schools."

Here are the signees:

Jarrett Baughman (6-1, 180) of Bloomington North (Bloomington, Ind.), defender/midfielder. He scored 20 goals and had 6 assists as a senior, and posted 43 goals and 22 assists in three years. Coach Lenahan on Baughman: "Jarrett has a great combination of size, great feet and tactical awareness. He is very good in the air both in a defensive and attacking role."

Nick Gendron (5-9, 156) Hometown: Ramsey (N.J.) High School, forward/midfielder. He posted 74 goals and 40 assists in 75 games during high school career in spite of missing most of senior season with broken clavicle. Coach Lenahan on Gendron: "Nick has really improved over the last two years and his best days as a player are still ahead of him. He has tremendous speed and phenomenal work ethic that will cause defenses fits over the next four years."

Chris Ritter (6-2, 170) New Trier High School in Winnetka, midfielder. Member of state championship teams in 2006 and 2008, including scoring the game-winning goal for New Trier as a senior. Coach Lenahan on Ritter: "Chris has great potential because of his size and his ability to distribute the ball. He showed a real flair for the dramatic in scoring the game-winner for New Trier in the Illinois state championship game. We got a great look at him at our College Soccer Training Center and were very impressed with his overall play."

Tim Zimmer (6-2, 185) Naperville Central High School, defender. Two-time all-state selection. Coach Lenahan on Zimmer: "Tim is the whole package. He has great size, intelligence and a tremendous left foot to go with it. He plays with a maturity beyond his years and really understands what it takes to be successful. He has great presence on the field and should be a great addition at left back or left center back."

Kyle Schickel (5-5, 140), Louisville, Ky. High School, midfielder. Was 2007 state tournament Most Valuable Player, and 2007 Kentucky Offensive Player of the Year. Coach Lenahan on Schickel: "Kyle is a very dynamic attacking player who is good with either foot. He was one of the best players at our College Soccer Training Center and excelled when we saw him with his club team and the Region II team. He will hopefully add to our attack immediately."

Christopher "Tommy" Thombridge (5-11, 170), Springfield (Mo.) High School, goalkeeper. Posted 12 shutouts and a 0.65 goals-against average, and was first-team all-state in 2008. Coach Lenahan on Tombridge: "Tommy has that great presence that all successful goalkeepers have. Every time we saw him play, he had such a great command of the box. Our goalkeeper coach, Ovidio Felcaro, was very impressed with his work ethic when he attended our camp last summer."

Michael Wallbridge (6-0, 175), Ft. Wayne (Ind.) High School, midfielder/defender. 2008 first-team all-state selection. Coach Lenahan on Wallbridge: "Michael has great athleticism, versatility and is an absolute winner. We got a great look at him when he came to our camp and were really impressed. He will be a great addition at any of the back positions or defensive midfielder."