NU Adds Ten for Men's 2013 Men's Soccer
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Northwest University Men’s Soccer Coach Gary McIntosh announced the Eagles’ signing class for the 2013 season. Ten players have signed letters of intent and will begin their collegiate soccer careers at Northwest this August. Eight of the signees will be incoming freshman and two are transfers from Bellevue College. ”This is an important group of players that are coming in this fall,” said McIntosh, “They will add depth to our team in several areas especially up top in the forward position. These young men will make us better because they are all capable of starting and that will push the entire team to compete for starting spots. All of these players are superb athletes and excellent soccer players. Most importantly, they love the Lord and are excited to play for Him."
Daniel Christenson – Bothell, Wash., Cedar Park Christian High School. 6’3”, 205 lbs., goalkeeper. 2011 4th place WA State, 2012 First Team All-League, 2013 team captain, 8 Varsity letters in basketball, football and soccer. 2012 football team captain 2012 First Team All- Nisqually League Linebacker, 2012 First Team Nisqually All-League Kicker, 2012 Second Team Nisqually All-League Punter, and 2012 Second Team Nisqually All-League Receiver.
McIntosh commented, “Daniel is a great addition to the team. He has good size at 6’3” to play in the goal and I believe Daniel has what it takes to be a top collegiate goal keeper in our conference. His foot work is excellent and he has great hands.”
Reilly Cross - Snohomish, Wash., Snohomish High School. 5'9", 135 lbs., forward. Everett Herald Soccer Player of the Year as a senior for high school team. All-Area Seattle Times Stars team, All-Wesco, All-State team. Scored 23 goals with 13 assists as a senior. Played in the ODP (Olympic Development Program) five years until it became the Sounders Academy. His club team won the regionals and made a trip to the nationals in Virginia. His high school team was named number one in the country.
“Reilly is a player that knows how to find the back of the net and that’s an area where we need to strengthen,” stated Coach McIntosh. “He will be an immediate impact player for us offensively. Reilly will draw the attention of opposing defenders and will create scoring opportunities for the players around him. He will be an exciting player to watch on the ball.”
Odason Pelogi - Monrovia, Liberia and Federal Way, Wash., Kent Mountain View Academy. 5’6” 140 lbs., forward. U.S. Youth Soccer Washington State Championships finalist, Pacific Coast Challenge finalist, Spring Classic champion, Adidas Cup champion, U.S. Youth Soccer Washington State Championship semifinal, 2009-10. U.S. youth Soccer Cup Region IV finalist, Phoenix, Ariz. Named to the Region IV Championships All-Tournament teams; played for the U.S Youth Olympic Development Program team for Washington State, 2010- 2013; and played for the Seattle Sounders Academy team.
McIntosh comments: “Odason is another player who knows how to score goals. He will be scoring goals and setting up his teammates for scoring opportunities. Odason has gained valuable experience playing for the Sounders Academy team and it will help him immediately adjust to the college game. Odason will be an exciting player to watch this season!”
Jacob Weaver - Spokane, Wash., Northwest Christian High School (Colbert). 5'8", 155 lbs., forward. Washington 2B Player of the Year; Senior of the Year; Forward of the Year; and Golden Boot award winner. Record holder of most goals scored in a single season for the state of Washington (60 goals). Recognized as WSSCA state MVP and first team for the 2B high school classification, and 2012 first team all-state.
McIntosh said of Weaver, “Jacob is another player who will find the back of the net and score many goals for us. He is the record holder in the state of Washington with 60 goals scored in a single season and you do not get that record unless you find the back of the net often. Jacob is a tremendous player who understands the game will be a good player for us right from the start.”
Kieren Raney - Snohomish, Wash., Snohomish High School. 5’10”, 165 lbs., midfielder/defender. Raney was a 2012 All-WESCO selection, WESCO North First team selection in 2012, Snohomish high School team captain for the 2013 season. His select soccer team took 2nd place Division 1, 2013 (premier).
McIntosh comments “Kieren is a versatile player who can play for us in the midfield or as a defender. He will help our depth in both of these positions. Kieren will impact the team with his physical and technical play. He will challenge for a starting position and push the other players around him to be better.”
Kyle Zimmerman – Bothell, Wash., Inglemoor High School. 5’11”, 155 lbs., midfielder. Kyle was team captain for his Crossfire club team and is co-captain for his Inglemoor varsity soccer team. Inglemoor is 6-0 and currently ranked #1 in the 4A school division in Washington State.
McIntosh comments “Kyle will be a good center mid for us. He is confident on the ball and will get his teammates involved. He is capable of scoring from the midfield. I believe Kyle is going to have a solid collegiate career. “
Michael “JJ” Alonzo Nick - Kauai, Hawaii, Kapaa High School. 5’10”, 145 lbs., forward. In the 2013 Hawaii State High School Soccer Tournament, Michael was named Impact Player of the Championship game, the Impact Tournament Player and selected to the all-tournament team. He was a starting wide receiver on his Kapaa High School football team, the 2013 Hawaii state champions. Nick also took part in track and field. His top event is the 200 meter dash which he ran in 22:11 and the 100 meter dash in 11:00 seconds. He runs a 4.5 40 yard dash. Nick is a member of the ROTC and holds a rank of 1st Lieutenant.
“JJ will be a player that over time will make an impact for us,” said Coach McIntosh. “He has proven in high school he can score goals and play at a highly competitive level. He is extremely fast and has a nice shot.”
Josh Guerrero – Orlando, Fla., Bellevue College. 5’7”, 160 Ibs., center midfielder. Honorable Mention All-NWACC 2010. State ODP player 2006.
McIntosh commented about Guerrero, “Josh is a tremendous pick up for us and has a lot of experience. He is going to be dynamic in the center for the program. Josh has great vision and creativity and will be a key to our offense. I feel he is going to get a lot of assists for us and will be exciting to watch.”
Edgar Esquivel – Issaquah, Wash., Bellevue College. 5’7” 140 lbs., Midfield. Honorable Mention NWACC 2010. Honorable Mention Cascade Conference 2011. Washington State Champions Eastside FC 2008 & 2009. State ODP 2004-07.
McIntosh said about Esquivel, “Edgar is returning to play for us again and we are excited to have him back. Edgar can play anywhere on the field and will immediately help us. He is a creative player and brings a lot of experience to our midfield. Edgar will set up a lot of goals for us and do all the extra things that will help us be successful.”
Beau Tabakci – Bellevue, Wash., Edmonds CC. 5’10”, 200 Ibs., defense. All King-Co defender, Knight Valor Award Recipient.
McIntosh said, “Beau will do a great job on the back line for us. He will be a big presence for us in the back. Beau steps well to the ball and possesses very good footwork.”