Afenegus announces first SOU men's soccer recruiting class 8/4/2015 4:59:00 PM SOU Sports Information ASHLAND – A week away from the first official men's soccer practice in Southern Oregon University history, head coach Biniam Afenegus has announced the program's inaugural recruiting class. Afenegus, who was named SOU's first head men's soccer coach in February a month after the program was officially added, secured signatures on NAIA/Cascade Conference letters of intent from 19 freshmen along with eight junior college transfers despite a shortened recruiting period. "It was definitely challenging to put a team together in a short amount of time, but the many days of recruiting on the road have paid off," Afenegus said. "I feel we have selected some very quality freshman players to help us build a solid foundation for the future. We also have junior college players to help us transition this young team and lead us on and off the field." Included in the class are eight Oregonians, six natives of Washington, a total of eight states represented, and three who played previously at Clark Community College – where Afenegus went 123-27-16 prior to joining the Raiders. "Ultimately we want to create a program that is very technical and possession oriented," Afenegus added. "I feel our strength this year will be our overall speed and athleticism, which will come in handy on our turf field." SOU's first official practice is scheduled for Aug. 10. The Raiders open their season on Aug. 20 in Eugene against Trinity Lutheran College and play their first of seven home games on Sept. 18 against Walla Walla. Jamal Abdoul, 6-0 Forward Albany, Ore./Corvallis High (2011) Notable: Was the OSAA Class 5A player of the year and a state finalist in 2011… Played for the 5A championship team as a junior… Has previously been a member of SOU's club soccer team and on the coach staff at St. Mary's High. Ahmon Afenegus, 5-9 Defender Vancouver, Wash./Mountain View High (2015) Notable: A three-year letterwinner at Mountain View and a team captain as a senior… Played for the U-16 Portland Timbers Academy and was on the 2013 Olympic Development Program (ODP) regional team… Son of Biniam Afenegus. Greg Alegria, 5-9 Midfielder Medford, Ore./South Medford (2013) Notable: The four-year letterwinner earned second team all-conference accolades as a senior… Helped South Medford to two conference titles and an appearance in the state title game. Brendan Allen, 5-10 Forward Roseville, Calif./Woodcreek High (2015) Notable: Was an all-league performer four straight years at Woodcreek and led his conference in goals. Luis Ayala Rangel, 5-7 Defender Medford, Ore./South Medford (2013) Notable: Graduated valedictorian from South Medford and is currently in the SOU Honors College… Wrestled for SOU as a freshman and has also been a member of SOU's soccer and lacrosse club teams. Kirk Bassett, 5-9 Wing Eugene, Ore./South Eugene (2015) Notable: Earned league MVP and first team all-state kudos as a senior at South Eugene… Contributed to four straight conference championships and three state quarterfinal appearances. Diego Buenrostro, 6-1 Midfielder/Forward Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit High (2015) Notable: Led Jesuit in scoring and was named the team MVP as a senior… Was a part of three conference title squads. Brett Butler, 6-0 Midfielder Yakima, Wash./Eisenhower High (2013)/Walla Walla C.C./Spokane Falls C.C. Notable: Named all-region in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) for Spokane Falls. Christian Canales, 5-8 Midfielder/Defender Albuquerque, N.M./Cibola High (2015) Notable: Recorded 10 goals and eight assists as a senior for all-state honors at Cibola… Won a district title and advanced to the state quarterfinals. Gonzalo Garcia, 5-9 Left Back/Wing Stockton, Calif./Jesuit High (2015) Notable: Team captain as a senior and teammate of Diego Buenrostro. Justin Griego, 5-10 Defender Albuquerque, N.M./La Cueva High (2015) Notable: First team all-district… Led La Cueva to a district title as a senior and was a part of a state championship as a sophomore. Seigo Hall, 5-7 Forward/Midfielder Arlington, Wash./Arlington High (2015) Notable: Had 10 goals and seven assists for first team all-league honors and a conference title as a senior at Arlington… U17 team won U.S. Club national title. Jurgen Hartung, 5-11 Vancouver, Wash./Mountain View High (2015) Notable: Three-year letterman and two-year captain at Mountain View. Tanner Holland, 5-10 Midfielder Beaverton, Ore./Southridge High (2013)/Scottsdale Community College Notable: One of three players who will be coming to SOU via Scottsdale C.C. Adam Jeschke, 5-9 Midfielder Bush Prairie, Wash./Hockinson High (2015) Notable: Earned second team all-league accolades and won a district title at Hockinson. Dakota Marquez, 6-1 Rio Rancho, N.M./Rio Rancho High (2015) Notable: First team all-district, three-year letterwinner and team captain at Rio Rancho. Paul Matyas, 5-11 Center-Midfielder Anchorage, Alaska/East Anchorage High (2015) Notable: Led East Anchorage in scoring all four years of high school and graduated valedictorian. Alex Medina, 5-7 Forward/Midfielder El Paso, Tex./J.M. Hanks High (2015) Notable: Was named first team all-district three time at J.M. Hanks. Brayan Molina, 5-9 Denver, Colo./Overland High (2013)/Trinidad State Junior College Notable: Four-year letterwinner and two-time team MVP at Overland High. Clayton Nadon, 5-11 Midfielder Anchorage, Alaska/Dimond High (2013)/Scottsdale Community College Notable: Team MVP as a senior at Dimond. Alex Opland, 6-1 Forward Rathdrum, Idaho/Lakeland High (2013)/Spokane Falls Community College Notable: Was twice recognized as an NWAC all-star at Spokane Falls after three all-league campaigns while prepping at Lakeland. James Ramos, 6-0 Forward San Jose, Calif./Antelope High (2015) Notable: League offensive player of the year at Antelope High as a senior. Marcus Roberts, 5-9 Forward Camas, Wash./Camas High/La Salle Catholic College Prep (2015) Notable: Started for a team that advanced to the OSAA Class 5A state quarterfinals as a senior. Perrison Saydee, 6-0 Portland, Ore./Fir Ridge Campus (2012)/Southwestern Oregon Community College Notable: Born in Liberia and came to the U.S. in 2009 and learned English from scratch (first language is French)… Was named athlete of the month at SWOCC. Anthony Shivers, 6-0 Forward Tempe, Ariz./Marcos de Niza High (2011)/Scottsdale Community College Notable: Second team All-East Valley Region forward as a senior at Marcos de Niza. Johnnie Workman, 5-11 Defender/Midfielder Estacada, Ore./Estacada High (2011)/Clark College Notable: All-conference defender/midfielder for Afenegus at Clark in 2013… Set Estacada's career assist record (55) and had 15 goals with 30 assists as a senior for first team all-state and Tri-Vallley League Player of the Year honors. Daniel Zamores, 5-5 Defender/Center-Midfielder Medford, Ore./North Medford High (2015) Notable: All-conference four times at North Medford, earning first-team kudos for the first time as a senior.