Men's Soccer Announces Second Round of Recruits
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Klamath Falls, Ore. - The Oregon Tech head men's soccer coach, Matt Munhall, has announced the second round of recruits for the 2018 fall soccer season. Munhall comments about the recruits, "Our coaching staff is very excited to begin working with our incoming class this fall. In this second round of signees we have added a goalkeeper, a center midfielder and three defenders.
After looking at our senior heavy team, we decided to expanded the roster, allowing us a larger returning class in 2019 that will be more prepared to carry the torch in the future. We feel that we have done a good job assessing the needs of the team and found the talent to stay completive in the conference." The men's soccer team will see ten new faces join the roster this in 2018, but will also have ten seniors departing the team at the conclusion of the fall season.
Oscar Baron Soto
Hometown: Woodburn, OR
High School: Wilsonville HS
Club Team(s): Westside Timbers 2000's and Portland Timbers ODP 2000's
Team Awards/Accomplishments: 2x High School 5A runner up (2015) (2016), 2x Oregon State Cup Champion (2017) (2011), Region IV ODP 2017 Champion, National ODP 2nd place runner up (2017)
Personal/Individual Awards: Best goalkeeper of ODP Region IV (2017), MVP for 2016 High School 5A State Final, 1st Team All-League player 2017, 2nd Team All-State 2017, 1st Team All-State 2016
Parents Names: Marco and Maria Baron
Coach Munhall's Comments: "Oscar is a great addition to our keeper core. He has had some great experience playing in big games, including State Championship finals, as well as ODP and Club Cup Championships. He knows what it means to perform under pressure, and that should help him competitively at the next level.
We noticed Oscar's athleticism in goal. He is not the tallest keeper, but he makes good decisions, positions himself well and makes athletic saves. He also has proven that he is a courageous goalkeeper attacking balls in the air and on breakaways.
We are excited to see what he brings to our defense."
Jake Mitchell
Hometown: Temecula, CA
High School: Temecula Valley High School
Club Team(s): Murrieta Surf Soccer Club, Temecula Valley Hawks Soccer Club
Team Awards/Accomplishments: 2018 Las Vegas Players Showcase Finalist, 2017 San Clemente Cup Champions, 2016 Phoenix Cup Showcase Champions, 2016 National Cup Quarter Finals
Personal/Individual Awards: 2017 US Youth Futsal Regional Team, 2017 National Futsal Trials Invitee, JV Captain 2014, Hemet Tournament MVP 2014, 4x Man of the Match 2014
Relevant Statistics: 2017-2018: 2 goals and 5 assists in SCDSL Flight 1
Parents Names: Julie Mitchell and Spike Mitchell
Coach Munhall's Comments: "Jake plays a great brand of soccer that will fit in well at Oregon Tech. His experience with Futsal and the emphasis on technical ability has helped him become very efficient with the ball in possession and finding passing lanes. Mitchell has seen time as a center mid and in the back line during his career, but we would like to see him focus on becoming a playmaker in the middle of the pitch at Tech."
Kyle Sanchez
Hometown: Post Falls, ID
High School: Post Falls High School
Club Team(s): Washington East, Idaho Thunder FC, North Idaho Inferno, Sting Timbers FC
Team Awards/Accomplishments: 2nd place finish at IDHSAA tournament (high school state), 2015 NW Regional Champs, 2015 & 2016 WSPL Champs, 2nd & 3rd Idaho State Cup, high school regional and league champs.
Personal/Individual Awards: Inland Empire League MVP 2018, 5A 1st Team All-State, Team Captain, PFHS Boys Varsity Soccer MVP, North Idaho Boys Soccer Player of the Year 2018.
Parents Names: Mark Sanchez and Susan Sanchez
Coach Munhall's Comments: "Kyle will be an important piece to this incoming freshman class as a leader in the back and tenacious defender. He is very good at reading the game and is willing to do the dirty work to protect his goal. It is not often that a defender is a league or region Player of the Year. That speaks volumes to the role Kyle has played and the value he brings to his team. We can see Sanchez earning minutes as an outside back as a freshman, but he is versatile enough and that he can also play as a center back if needed."
Dominic Welch
Hometown: Spokane, WA
High School: Mead High School
Club Team: Washington East
Team Awards/Accomplishments: NWAC Runner's Up 2016 & 2017
Personal/Individual Awards: 2nd team GSL 2014-15, 1st team GSL 2015-16, NWAC All Region Award 2016, NWAC First team 2017, SCC Team Defensive MVP 2017
High school – 4A Washington State Honorable Mention
Relevant Statistics: 10 GAA for SSC in '17 season.
Parents Names: Michael Welch and Larissa Welch
Coach Munhall's Comments: "Dominic joins former teammate, Kelly Kyllo, as a transfer from Spokane Falls CC. We were looking to strengthen our backline and add some needed depth, graduating two center backs in the 2017 season. Welch fills this need on the roster, as a proven tough nosed defender in the NWAC. He keeps his teammates organized well, while showing good composure on the ball offensively.
We expect to see Dominic establish himself quickly within the squad. He can play anywhere in the back line and will bring quality any time he is on the pitch."
Armando Arreola
Hometown: Albany, OR
High School: South Albany High School
Club Team(s): TFA Willamette
Team Awards/Accomplishments: 2015 State Cup Champions
Personal/Individual Awards: 2nd Team All-league sophomore year, SAHS Team MVP, All-League Honorable Mention junior and senior, 4 year varsity member
Parents Names: Maria Flores
Coach Munhall's Comments: "Armando has shown quality and growth on the pitch during the recruiting process. He has been working hard to prepare for the collegiate game, and has impressed his club coaches with his coachable mentality and steady progress.
Arreola will most likely redshirt as a freshman, with the current roster returning two starting seniors in the same position that he plays. This will give Armando a chance to learn our system of play and spend an offseason in the weight room getting stronger. We can see him making an impact in our program has he progresses towards the future on the pitch."
The Oregon Tech Men's soccer team will kick off the 2018 season at home on August 18, with scrimmages against Rogue Community College and College of the Redwoods before they hit the road for back-to-back weekend trips in California, playing NCAA DII Humboldt State and Chico State in northern California, followed by a trip to southern California to play NAIA opponents, The Masters, Hope International and UC Merced.
Follow the Men's Soccer program for the latest news, stats and updates at www.OregonTechOwls.com, Twitter and Instagram @OregonTechOwls and @oregontechmsoccer.
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