The Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy (SIMA) is continuing to develop top athletes who are making names for themselves on the field. The program just had three alumni named in the top five of most prolific goal scorers of the 2018 NCAA Division I college season; Andre Shinyashiki ‘15, Bruno Lapa ‘16, and Benji Michel ‘16. 

"To have 3 of the top 5 prolific scorers in all of NCAA Division I soccer come from the S.I.M.A. Program is an incredible achievement,” said SIMA Head Coach Mike Potempa. 

Andre Shinyashiki has scored 21 goals with two assists and four hat tricks in 14 games as a forward for the University of Denver this season. He is also leading the nation in several statistics including total goals, total points, points per game, goals per game, game-winning goals, shots per game, and shots on goal per game. Shinyashiki came to Montverde Academyfrom Brazil in 2013 and during his time in the SIMA program he was a contributing member when his team won the Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament (MAST) and high school soccer National Championships.

Bruno Lapa is a junior midfielder for the No. 1 ranked Wake Forest University Demon Deacons. With eight assists, nine goals and 26 points in 14 games, he is proving to be a valuable asset to the success of his team with conference tournament starting soon. While at Montverde Academy, Lapa, from Curitiba, Brazil, won MAST and high school soccer National Championships. 

As a junior for the No. 9 undefeated University of Portland, Benji Michel has had double digit goals every season while on the squad (every collegiate season). With six game-winning goals this season, he is tied for second in the country and a dependable forward looking to help his team in a post-season run. Michel was a homegrown talent from the Orlando, FL area and was a key player when his team won MAST with his teammate Lapa. 

“We are extremely proud of these young men as they continue to take the lessons they have learned on and off the field here at Montverde Academy with them to the next level," said Potempa.