Five Sign with Concordia Men's Soccer
PORTLAND, Ore. – Concordia head men’s soccer coach Dan Birkey recently announced the addition of five newcomers to the program’s 2009 recruiting class.
Signing to continue their education and compete in soccer at Concordia were: Brad Bevens (Eugene, Ore./Sheldon H.S.); Sean Keegan (Port Angeles, Wash./Port Angeles H.S.); Claudio Lazar/Ploiesti, Romania/Bellevue C.C.); Brandon Nolan (Vancouver, Wash./Heritage H.S.); Tony Sanchez (Roseburg, Ore./Roseburg H.S./Clark College).
Concordia, winners of eight straight Cascade Collegiate Conference championships, advanced to the ‘Sweet 16’ of the NAIA National Championships in last season.
Brad Bevens was a four-year starter for Sheldon High School. A two-time all-conference player and team captain, Bevens did not play as a senior due to injury. He was also a member of the Fighting Irish’s lacrosse team.
“Bevens is an intelligent back-line player that really enjoys the science of defending. He has good field speed and gets into tackles with no regrets,” Birkey said.
Sean Keegan played at forward for Port Angeles High School. Keegan was a second-team All-Olympic League pick as a junior. He also played for Norpoint Premier FC, WestSound FC and Sparta Premier FC over the years.
“Keegan has a workmanlike attitude,” Birkey said. “He has a good picture of where his game is at coming into the freshman season. He is very quick to learn and is hungry to prove himself within the program.”
Claudio Lazar will arrive at Concordia after spending two seasons at Bellevue Community College where he was the starting goalkeeper for the Bulldogs. Lazar, originally from Baicoi, Romania, has also lived overseas in England and Holland and in Chicago and Seattle stateside. He is a 2002 graduate from Mihai Viteazul High in Romania.
“Claudio comes in as a potential starter,” Birkey said. “He is a quick decision maker, comes out sharply to close down attackers and holds the ball well. He has good soccer intelligence and demands cooperation from teammates.”
Brandon Nolan is a 2006 graduate of Heritage High School in Vancouver, Wash. A four-year player for the Timberwolves as a midfielder and defender, Nolan earned all-league honorable mention honors as a junior before capturing first-team honors as a senior. He was a member of the league and district championship team as a junior.
“Brandon has set a goal to become a Concordia player and has worked hard at that project,” Birkey said. “He is willing to run through a wall for the team and will most likely see time on the outside back or wide midfield positions for us.”
Tony Sanchez played two seasons at Clark College after a three-year varsity career as a defender at Roseburg High School. He was voted as a second-team Southern Oregon Conference selection as a junior before suffering a broken leg during his senior campaign. He helped Clark to a NWAAC championship in 2007.
“Tony is a defensive role player who works hard to get behind the ball and does well in one-on-one situations. Has a rugged side to his playing personality which fits the makeup of our teams here at Concordia,” Birkey said.