Yeisley’s 2016 Recruiting Class Includes 9 Players from 5 Countries
GREAT FALLS, Mont. –When Joseph Yeisley was hired as the head coach of Argo soccer on July, 6 2015, he had a little over a month to complete a recruiting class before the start of the season. One year, 13 wins, and one trip to the NAIA tournament later, Yeisley has put together his second official recruiting class, this time with the advantage of a full year to scout, recruit and sign players.
The 2016 Argo Soccer Recruiting Class is made up of nine players from five different countries, including six international players, two junior college transfers, and one local Montanan. The class is not only diverse geographically, but also in terms of position. Four members of the class will join the Argo defense, three in the midfield, and two at the forward positions.
The four defenders are Dylan Bird from Perth, Australia, Brian Falcon from El Paso, Texas, Hugo Hernandez from Los Angeles, Calif. and Jarrod Simmons from Great Falls, Mont. UGF’s midfield will be filled out by Ole Cloppenburg from Melbeck, Germany, Adrian Gomez from Ponteareas, Spain, and Alex Williams from North London, England. Gabriel DiNatale from Armadale, Australia, and George Holloway from Mansfield, England round out UGF’s group of forwards.
#12 Dylan Bird | 5-9 | Def. | Perth, Australia | Cairns State HS
Bird is one of two Australians to sign with UGF, the first members of the team from the country. In Australia, Bird most recently played for Southside FC where he scored 5 goals in 11 games. He played for a number of other clubs in different division of the Australian system, finding success at every level.
A technically skilled player, Bird will fit right in with UGF’s talented group of outside backs including All-Conference left back, Edgar Ortiz. While he will be competing against three players with starting experience for playing time at outside back this season, Bird is an investment for the future with all three of those players set to graduate at the end of the year.
“We are excited that Dylan has decided to join us at the University of Great Falls. He is going to have a great opportunity to learn from and compete with our All-Conference returning left back, Edgar Ortiz,” Yeisley said of Bird. “He also adds some versatility with ability to play up in a winger position as well. Once Dylan makes the adjustment to the college game I think he is going to have a terrific career at UGF.”
Bird plans to major in Exercise Science at UGF.
#18 Ole Cloppenburg | 6-0 | Mid. | Melbeck, Germany | Gymnasium Oedeme
The addition of Cloppenburg means another German teammate for Argo goalkeeper Henrik Sohn. It could also mean an important defensive presence in the center of the field protecting Sohn and the rest of the Argo keepers.
Cloppenburg studied at Gymnasium Oedeme School and played for VFL Luneburg in Germany. He was the captain of the team, playing primarily as a defensive midfielder and also some time at center back. The 6-0, 185 lb. player will bring a physical presence to the UGF midfield where Yeisley plans on using him primarily as a defensive midfielder where he has the opportunity to contribute immediately.
“I am excited that Ole has chosen to attend UGF. He is a versatile player that can play both as a defensive midfielder as well as a center back.” Yeisley said. “He is good both in the air and on the ground. Because of these attributes we expect Ole to push for playing time right away.”
Cloppenburg plans to major in Business at UGF.
# 19 Gabriel DiNatale | 5-10 | Fwd. | Armadale, Australia | Marcellin College
One of the classes’ two forwards, DiNatale also comes out of Australia. The 5-10, 165 lb. out of Marcellin College primarily played as a winger for the St. Kilda Celts in the Victorian State League Division 2. He is expected to play along the flanks as well for the Argos, joining a position group that graduated all three starters.
“We are excited to have Gabriel joining us. He is a bit older than most incoming freshmen having spent a few years over in Spain at an Academy,” Yeisley said. “The combination of that maturity and his overall soccer abilities I believe will allow him to make a difference right away for us. I am excited to see what he can do at UGF.”
DiNatale plans to major in Exercise Science at UGF.
#22 Brian Falcon | 5-9 | Def. | El Paso, Texas | Horizon High School
Falcon is one of three 2016 recruits from the United States, coming out of El Paso, Texas. While playing for Horizon High School, Falcon was a 1st Team All-State defender, and a two-year team captain. He helped lead his team to a Conference, Sectional, and Regional Championship along with a 3rd place finish in the state of Texas during his junior season. Falcon also spent two years playing in the FC Dallas system.
“Brian was a strong pick up for us. He has the ability to play as either a center back or right back and even as a defensive midfielder at times,” Yeisley said. “This versatility will allow Brian to push for playing time all throughout his career. I am excited to see Brian perform this fall and watch his development over his four years.”
Falcon plans on majoring in Business at UGF.
#23 Adrian Gomez |6-1 | Mid. | Ponteareas, Spain |Marshalltown CC
Gomez joins sophomore goalkeeper Marc Girones as the two Spanish nationals on the UGF roster. After playing soccer in the Spanish soccer system, Gomez came to the United States to play for the Marshalltown Community College Tigers. In his one season in the Tiger midfield, Gomez started 14 games, scoring 8 goals and 7 assists on this way to NJCAA All- Region Honors.
He will look to slide into the UGF midfield that graduated two of its top attacking midfielders, Hugo Gonzalez and the team’s leading scorer in 2015, Miguel Torres.
“Adrian was a strong pickup for us after losing Miguel and Hugo,” Yeisley said. “Adrian is very smooth with the ball at his feet and has a terrific ability to turn in tight areas to create for himself and others. Once Adrian gets adjusted to playing within our system I believe he is going to be an offensive force in the Cascade Conference.”
Gomez plans on majoring in Business at UGF.
#24 Hugo Hernandez| 5-7 | Def. | Los Angeles, Calif. | Glendale CC
Hernandez will join Argo soccer as a junior after two years at Glendale Community College. The Los Angeles product started 14 of 16 games along the Glendale back line. Before joining the Vaqueros, he was a team captain for Fairfax High School.
While only 5-7, Hernandez’s quickness and ability to read an offense has made him excel at dispossessing offensive players with the ball.
“Hugo was a great pick up for us. He has the ability to play as either a center back or right back. This versatility along with his strong tackling ability really gives us another dimension in the backline,” Yeisley said. “I am excited to get Hugo out and working with the boys.”
Hernandez plans on majoring in Criminal Justice at UGF.
#30 George Holloway | 5-10 | Fwd. | Mansfield, England | Brooksby Melton College
For a team that graduated three of its top four goal scorers, finding a top goalscoring threat was must in the 2016 Class. Yeisley signed just the man in Holloway who is coming off a stellar season with AFC Mansfield’s U18 team. The stalky forward scored 77 goals in 35 games for the Stags.
While at AFC Mansfield, Holloway demonstrated a workmanlike approach to the forward position, with a nonstop motor and a powerful style. His play helped lead his squad to multiple league championships and he even got some time with the club’s U21 side.
“I am excited that George made the decision to come to UGF,” Yeisley said. “He is an excellent central forward that is strong enough to play with his back to goal and quick enough to get in behind as well. We expect George to have a stellar 4 year career at UGF!”
Holloway plans on majoring in Exercise Science at UGF.
RS Jarrod Simmons | 6-1 | Def. |Great Falls, Mont. | C.M. Russell HS
Simmons brings a local flavor to the otherwise out-of-state class. He joins former teammate Cole Myers, a redshirt freshman for UGF, as C.M. Russell High School graduates on the Argo roster. While at CMR, Simmons primarily played as a midfielder, but plans to move into the center back spot at UGF.
This move is well planned and researched for Yeisley who coached Simmons over the past year on the Montana United club team. Simmons will redshirt during his freshman with the Argos returning a number of experienced players at center back.
“We are happy that Jarrod has chosen to attend UGF. He is an athletic defender with a lot of potential. It is always nice when you can keep your local talent at home,” Yeisley said. “Once he makes the adjustment to the speed of the college game and learns the position of center back I believe he will have a solid career at UGF.”
Simmons plans on majoring in Business at UGF.
#20 Alex Williams | 5-11 | Mid. | North London, England | Oaksdale College
Also from England, Williams fills out the Argo midfield and the 2016 Recruiting Class. The 5-11, 175 lb. midfielder was versatile and crucial member of EDSV Academy in North London. Williams was the team captain for EDSV and willingly moved from position to position to fit his team’s needs. He played in the midfield and just about every position along the backline, while maintaining a skill level that earned him multiple Man of the Match honors.
While at UGF, the plan is for Williams to focus on being a defensive midfielder where he can use his multi-positional experience to protect the back four while transitioning the ball from defense to offense.
“Alex was a solid commitment for us this year. He is a very strong defensive midfielder with the versatility to step into any role within the backline,” Yeisley said. “He also has a lot of intangibles like his leadership and work ethic that I believe will not only allow him to push for playing time right away, but also be an integral part of our program in future years.”