SALEM, Ore. – Corban University head men's soccer coach Aaron Lewis announced his 2016 recruiting class on Wednesday afternoon, naming 12 players that would be joining the tradition that is Warrior men's soccer.
In his first three years as head coach at Corban, Lewis has guided the Warriors to a 45-13-4 overall record with a CCC Regular Season Championship, two CCC Tournament Championships, and three berths in the NAIA National Championships Opening Round.
"This class's talent level and experience rivals the best classes we've ever welcomed here to Corban," said Lewis. "With this group, we feel we have addressed specific needs, added more competition in training, and have unlocked additional recruiting regions domestically and abroad for our program. Every one of these players had options elsewhere, and we are extremely pleased that they recognized the special opportunities this University and soccer program have to offer. It's rewarding to partner with talented young people who want to work hard for a group, and are committed to the mission and vision of the school."
Christian Silva – 6' 2" – Defender – Westview High School – Oregon
Debatably the most decorated member of this 2016 recruiting class, Silva joins the Warriors and is currently a Finalist for the Gatorade Player of the Year in Oregon. Just this year, Silva was named the Metro League Player of the Year while playing in a center-back role, also garnering First-Team All-State plaudits and First-Team All-Metro honors. In both 2014 and 2015, he led Westview to the Metro League Title and a combined 26-3-3 overall record over the last two years.
On top of his high school accolades, he has also played at the top level of club ball for his entire youth career. While playing with Westside Metros for the majority of his career, he won multiple State Championships and helped his team advance to the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships Semifinals in 2015, helping the team finish third in Region IV. During the 2015 State Championship, he scored the game-winning PK in the State Cup Finals. In addition, he represented Oregon at Nationals in Chicago in 2012.
Silva plans to major in Business Management at Corban. Coach Lewis had this to say about Silva:
"Christian is a technically sound player that consistently reads the game well while communicating effectively with teammates. With his experience and personality, we believe he can be a leader for a national caliber program."
Colby Cross – 6' 3" – Defender – Cosumnes Oaks High School – California
Hailing from Elk Grove, Calif., Cross brings loads of talent to the Warriors with numerous accolades to his name. Tabbed the Capital Valley Conference Most Valuable Player in 2015, Cross was a First-Team All-Conference honoree while leading his team to the Conference Championship. Cross also led his team to the Conference Championships in 2013 and 2014, and in 2013, he guided the team to the first undefeated season in school history, finishing the year ranked 25th nationally.
With his club team, FC Elk Grove Platinum 1m 97B, Cross served as the team captain and led his team to be as highly ranked as No. 8 nationally and No. 1 in the California region. Over the course of his club career, he recorded numerous tournament championships.
Cross plans to major in Criminal Justice with the intention of working for the FBI someday. Coach Lewis had this to say about Cross:
"Colby has played substantial roles on nationally recognized high school and club teams in Northern California. We believe Colby's size, athleticism, and soccer experience prepare him nicely to impact our program right away."
Alex Muir – 6' 2" – Goalkeeper – Whitney High School – California
Muir comes to Corban from Rocklin, Calif., bringing great experience between the pipes that will add to the talented group of goalkeepers the Warriors boast. As a First-Team All-League honoree in both his junior and senior seasons, he led the entire sac Joaquin section during his junior season with 146 saves. Additionally, he was named to the All-Section Honorable-Mention Team during that time frame.
In 2014, Muir was selected to the Regional Pool for ODP and led his club team to a semifinal appearance at the Surf Cup in 2015.
Muir plans to major in Pre-Physical Therapy with the intention of becoming a Physical Therapist. Coach Lewis had this to say about Muir:
"Alex is an experienced goalkeeper with good size and shot-stopping ability. Over the last few years, our players have proven to be one of the best defensive units in the country, and we foresee Alex helping sustain that level for years to come."
Ariel Barrientos – 5' 11" – Defender – South Albany HS – Chemeketa CC – Oregon
Originally hailing from Albany, Ore., Barrientos brings two years of collegiate experience to the Warriors after playing at Chemeketa CC for the last two seasons. On top of being named to the South Division All-Region Team, he was also an NWAC League All-Star for Chemeketa and a team captain. While serving as a central defender for the Storm, he led the team to an eight-game winning streak and an appearance in the NWAC Final Four in 2015.
In High School, Barrientos was voted MVP during his junior seasons and scored 34 goals and dished out 22 assists in the 5A Mid-Willamette Conference.
Planning to major in Business Administration, Barrientos intends to work in healthcare administration one day. Coach Lewis had this to say about Barrientos:
"Ariel played a major part of Chemeketa's successful run in the NWAC post season last year. "He has a good first touch, sees the game well, and has a maturity level that can compose a group. We expect to see him contribute on our defending and midfield lines as a Warrior."
Yohanes Susanto – 5' 9" – Defender – Saint Nicholas School Jakarta – Indonesia
Coming to Corban all the way from Jakarta, Indonesia, Susanto is set to make an immediate impact stateside. While having played for Sam's Soccer Academy International as well as other all-star teams over the years, Susanto led his team to numerous international tournament championships and high-placing finishes.
In 2015 he register a tryout with Sporting Lisbon, and over the years was selected as the Best Player of seven different tournaments.
Susanto plans to major in Leadership and Business Management with the intention of becoming a CEO someday. Coach Lewis had this to say about Susanto:
"Yohan is a talented player that has developed his game within a good club in Jakarta. We are excited to see how he adjusts to the college game in the United States."
Jordan Salim – 5' 10" – Goalkeeper – Sekolah Pelita Harapaul Sentual City – Indonesia
Salim comes to Corban from Indonesia and looks to add to the deep group of goalkeepers with the Warriors. While playing for Sam's Soccer Academy over the years, he was named the Best Keeper of SSA International Football Festival in 2015 and had tryouts for Sporting Lisbon as well as other professional teams.
Salim also led his team to the STRIVE Cup Championship in 2014 and the Australian International School Jakarta Cup Title in 2013, as well as other high-placing finishes over the years.
Salim intends to major in Business with the hopes of becoming a professional footballer one day. Coach Lewis had this to say about Salim:
"Jordan is an exciting young goalkeeper that makes good reads and reacts quickly. We believe that Jordan will surprise people with his athleticism and courageous mentality."
Jordy Salim – 5' 7" – Midfielder – Sekolah Pelita Harapaul Sentual City – Indonesia
Jordy Salim, joining his brother Jordan, looks to add to the dynamic attack that Corban is set to have in 2016. Jordy was named the JAAC All-Star MVP for the 2014-15 season.
Intending to major in Business at Corban, he hopes to become an Entrepreneur. Coach Lewis had this to say about Salim:
"Jordy is a quick, creative midfielder that can make players around him better. We look forward to adding his attacking flare to our group."
Chris Stowell – 6' 3" – Goalkeeper – Oregon Connections Academy – Oregon
Coming to Corban from Eugene, Stowell adds to the talented group of goalkeepers in this year's class. While playing for the Eugene Timbers Azzurri, he led the team to the State Cup semifinals in 2015. In addition, he was a three-time Scholar-Athlete award winner and led his team to the League Championship in 2012.
Planning to major in history at Corban, Stowell intends to become a Lawyer. Coach Lewis had this to say about Stowell:
"Chris has very good size and a competitive mindset. We feel that Chris adds nicely to what we believe is the best goalkeeping core in the conference."
Emanuel Montanez – 5' 6" – Midfielder/Defender – Renaissance HS – Idaho
Montanez joins the Warriors in 2016 following a successful high school career at Renaissance High School. He intends to major in Health Science with the hopes of becoming a Radiologist. Coach Lewis had this to say about Montanez:
"What stood out to us in our recruiting of Eman was his fearless play. He plays with significant energy and competitiveness, and we believe that his attitude, combined with his physical quickness, will help develop at a steady pace."
Langdon Roscoe – 6' 1" – Midfielder/Defender – Hockinson HS – Clark College - Washington
Hailing from just north of the Columbia River in Washington, Roscoe joins Corban with two years of eligibility remaining after a successful career at Clark College. While captaining the Clark College squad, he was named to the NWAC All-Star team two times and was a First-Team All-Region honoree. Additionally, he helped the team recorded 13 shutouts in a season, the most in school history. He also led the team to a pair of Southern Conference Championships and guided Clark to the NWAC Championship for just the second time in school history.
Prior to Clark, Roscoe was a Four-Time All-League award-winner in high school, landing on the First-Team twice. He was named the All-League MVP and was a First Team All-Region honoree in 2012 and Second-Team All-State award-winner in 2011, helping his team reach the Final Four in the process. On top of high school ball, he also played for the Washington Timbers, experiencing a great amount of success.
Roscoe plans to major in Business with the intention of working in Sustainable Manufacturing Management. Coach Lewis had this to say about Roscoe:
"Langdon has a tremendous work rate and will add another physical presence in our core. His blend of toughness, enthusiasm, and technical ability will help our team win balls from opponents and transition quickly into our offensive system."
Noah Gillespie – 6' 0" – Midfielder – Varina High School – Virginia
Joining the Warriors from across the country in Virginia, Gillespie is ready to make an impact on the west coast immediately. With his senior season still to be played in the spring of 2016, Gillespie was already named a 6A Second-Team All-Conference Player, captaining his team during that time.
With his club team, the Richmond Kickers, he led his team to the VSL DI Championship in each of the last three years. In addition, his team ranks No. 7 in Virginia, and he guided his team to the 2015 Strikers Fall Classic Title and into the Championship game at the 2015 Richmond Kickers Colonial Cup.
Gillespie plans to major in Exercise Science with the hopes of becoming an Athletic Trainer or a Physical Therapist. Coach Lewis had this to say about Gillespie:
"Noah is a physically strong midfielder that comes to Corban from a nationally respected club. His work ethic and positive mindset will develop here at Corban and add to his already solid all-around game."
Jesse Martin – 5' 9" – Midfielder – Woodburn HS – Clark College – Oregon
Originally hailing from Woodburn, Ore., Martin joins the Warriors in the fall of 2016 with one year of collegiate experience under his belt. While playing at Clark College last season and garnering valuable playing experience, Martin was previously named the Player of the Year during his senior year at Woodburn High School.
In addition to succeeding at Woodburn and at Clark, he played ODP for Oregon and excelled at both the State and Regional levels as an ODP player.
Martin is set to major in Business at Corban. Coach Lewis had this to say about Martin:
"Jesse is a skillful player that can be dynamic at several positions on the field. He has the ability to take guys on, is good in possession, and has the quality to punish teams in the attack."
In addition to these 12 recruits, Timur Zhividze and Stephen Anderson will be eligible to play for Corban in 2016 after red-shirting the 2015 campaign.