May 29, 2009

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Former U-18 National Team member and two-time high school all-america Wilber Bonilla (Brentwood, N.Y.) has transferred to and will play soccer for Stony Brook University, head coach Cesar Markovic announced on Friday. Bonilla played one full season at Hartwick College in upstate New York.

"As a youth player, Wilber Bonilla had the most dominating performance from an individual I've ever seen," Markovic said. "He brings a winning spirit and talent to our program that is infectious. I'm sure he will quickly become a fan favorite at LaValle."

One of the more storied recruits to come from Long Island in recent history, Bonilla was part of a Brentwood High School team that won a pair of Long Island titles in 2005 and 2006, and state runner-up in 2006. As a junior, Bonilla scored on a bicycle kick. After displaying tremendous body control, his coach Ron Eden remarked, "That's the best goal I've ever seen in 25 years of coaching." After finishing his high school career with 22 goals and 25 assists, he earned all-state and all-american honors as a senior. Bonilla also was chosen as the 2006 Gatorade New York State Player of the Year and was featured on the cover of Rise Magazine and listed as a top-25 recruit by the publication.

As a member of the national team, Bonilla played in three games, starting two, while tallying an assist. He played club soccer with the New York Kosmos, winning a state championship in 2006. He also was a member of the Region I ODP team.