Concordia Loads Up for 2008 Campaign with 13 Signees
PORTLAND, Ore. – Gearing up for the defense of its Cascade Collegiate Conference title, the Concordia University men’s soccer team released its 13-member 2008 recruiting class, head coach Dan Birkey announced this week.
Concordia, which is coming off their sixth consecutive CCC crown, signed seven junior college transfers and six high school seniors.
“I am very pleased to have the quality and hunger added to our program that this pack of players will bring,” Birkey said. “We will have nine seniors that will be asked to mentor this group and help teach them the way we do things in the program. At the same time, each of these incoming fellows will contribute at various times. My work will be to graft them into a competitive championship-worthy side.”
In his 21st season at the helm of the Cavalier men’s soccer program, Birkey’s squad finished the 2007 season ranked No. 21 in the NAIA after tallying a 16-4-0 overall record a 13-1 mark in league play.
The junior college ranks were tapped early in the recruiting process and players from the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College (NWAACC) abound.
Two players were brought in from 2007 conference champion Clark College in defender Justin St. Pierre (Camas, Wash.) and speedy Jesse Simerly (Vancouver, Wash.).
St. Pierre was a three-year starter for Mountain View High school, earning team MVP and second-team all-league honors as a senior. Simerly was a standout for Fort Vancouver High School and was a two-time second-team all-league pick for the Trappers.
“Simerly plays wide midfield, works hard to get behind the ball and is a bulldog. St. Pierre is bossy, organizes well and attacks the ball in the air,” Birkey said.
Competing for Treasure Valley Community College, Cesar Sanchez (Las Vegas, Nev.) was a NWAACC all-star along with the Clark pair but will play up front for the Cavaliers. As a prep, Sanchez was a two-time all-state pick for Nevada’s Chaparral High School and was a standout striker on the Nevada ODP state team for three years.
“Sanchez will demand attention from defenses, creating gaps for runners. He is a strong holder of the ball and distributes well,” Birkey said.
Jon Larson (Sedro-Woolley, Wash.) played two seasons for Peninsula Community College as a central defender. Larson is a dependable player that has good technical skills along with attacking savvy. From Walla Walla Community College comes the versatile Alex Young (Flathead, Mont.). Young won a Montana state championship with Flathead High School his senior season after finishing third as a junior.
“Young has shown well in trials,” Birkey said, “He has good speed, can help us in several positions through midfield and possibly backline.”
Wrapping up the transfer players are 6-foot-2 Tony Fortune (Monroe, Wash.) from Everett Community College and Will Snow (Vancouver, Wash.) of Clark College. Fortune was a captain during his junior and senior years at Monroe High School and for his club, the Crossfire Premier. Snow played two seasons at Clark College (2004-05) and was named to the NWAACC all-star team twice as a 6-foot-2 central defender.
“Fortune has three years eligibility remaining, loves the game and will work hard to find his niche,” Birkey said. “I recruited Snow in his high school days. He went to junior college and it was right for him. When he phoned and said it was time for him to step his game up and get active on his professional goals I was thrilled for him.”
The Cavaliers also have signed six strong freshman including Turner Bloom, Zack Madison, Evan Denmark, Jarod Aargon, Grant Bateman and Ryan Hill.
Bloom (Beaverton, Ore.) played two years at Southridge High School and formerly was a member of the Hawaii ODP State Team. Madison (Bend, Ore.) was a captain and defensive all-state defender for Mountain View High. Madison has numerous club championships with Westside Metro Gunners, played ODP for Oregon and is an all-state academic team member.
Denmark (Renton, Wash.) has played club ball for Crossfire Premier and recently for HPFC Heat ’89, the Washington state champions. He will graduate from Tahoma High School where he runs the team from midfield as captain and has all-league first-team qualifications.
Bateman, a forward from Gresham, Ore., captained his Barlow High School team and received Mt. Hood Conference first-team recognition while twice being named team MVP. Bateman enjoyed two State Cup championships with Eastside United FC in 2003 and 2007. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Hill (Beaverton, Ore.) will add his passing smarts and field vision to the Concordia attack. Hill was selected as a 2007 6A Metro League first-team all-star while playing for Westview High and has recently played midfield for FC Portland.
Challenging for time between the posts will be the 6-foot-3 Aargon (Vancouver, Wash.) from Evergreen High School. Aargon is a three-time all-league player and was named to the all-region team as a sophomore and as a junior. He has great range and brings immediate attack with his threatening punts. He has also played club ball with the Westside Metro Gunners in 2007.
“This is a superb group of freshman,” Birkey said. “Every one of these young players bring certain qualities to the mix. They come from good coaching backgrounds and understand the principles and direction of this program. I am proud to have these guys wear the Navy. We have high expectations for 2008 and adding this group of players will make it clearly attainable to accomplish them.”
Transfer
Justin St. Pierre, Camas, Wash. (Mountain View H.S/Clark College)
Jesse Simerly, Vancouver, Wash. (Fort Vancouver H.S./Clark College)
Cesar Sanchez, Las Vegas, Nev. (Chaparral High School/Treasure Valley C.C.)
Jon Larson, Sedro-Woolley, Wash. (Sedro-Woolley H.S./Peninsula C.C.)
Alex Young, Flathead, Mont. (Flathead High School/Walla Walla C.C.)
Tony Fortune, Monroe, Wash. (Monroe High School/Everett C.C.))
Will Snow, Vancouver, Wash. (Clark College)
High School
Turner Bloom, Beaverton, Ore. (Southridge H.S.)
Zack Madison, Bend, Ore. (Mountain View H.S.)
Evan Denmark, Renton, Wash. (Tahoma H.S.)
Jarod Aargon, Vancouver, Wash. (Evergreen H.S.)
Grant Bateman Gresham, Ore. (Barlow H.S.)
Ryan Hill, Beaverton, Ore. (Westview H.S.)