UC Riverside Men’s Soccer Coach
Junior Gonzalez announced the team’s 2009 recruiting class today – a class which features three defenders and three midfielders. “The caliber and talent of this class is phenomenal,” Gonzalez stated. “We are bringing in players with exceptional junior college and high school experience, as well as young men who have been US National Team members and Olympic Development players.
"These athletes chose UC Riverside over other top programs nationwide due to our outstanding academic programs and rise in athletic prominence in the Big West Conference.”
UC Riverside's 2009 recruiting class is headlined by defender Chris Smith. The Eastlake High School graduate comes to UCR ranked #38 on TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 for 2009. He is a former member of the U-14 and U-15 US National Teams, and is a starting right back for Arsenal FC of the USSF Development Academy.
Smith played for the Brad Freidel Premier Soccer Academy and Columbus Crew USSF Development Academy in 2008, as well as participated in the 2007 Adidas ESP Camp. He was also a member of the ODP Region IV Team from 2004-06.
“We are excited about the addition of Chris Smith to our program.” Gonzalez exclaimed. “The experience and top caliber of play that he has developed within the highest levels of soccer in the United States has contributed to his status as one of the top freshman recruits in the nation.”
The Highlanders also drew commitments from three other local Southern California high school athletes.
Tyler Lunde comes to UC Riverside from Camarillo High School in Camarillo, CA. Lunde is ranked #40 on TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 for 2009. He is a starting left back for Real So Cal of the USSF Development Academy, and his teams have won three USYSA National Championships. Lunde has also been a member of the ODP Region IV Team from 2004-06.
“Tyler is a solid left-sided defender that brings an excellent work ethic and winning mentality to his game. He is a player that has competed internationally with the ODP program and has had success in many top level tournaments nationwide,” Gonzalez stated.
Ivan Garcia, a midfielder from Santiago High School in Corona, CA, comes to UCR as a starting midfielder for the LA Galaxy USSF Development Academy. He was Santiago High School’s 2009 Most Valuable Player and earned Big 8 All-League honors. Garcia led the Arsenal club to the 2007 premier league championship, the Super Y championship and two Surf Cup championships.
“Ivan brings a great deal of pace and attacking qualities to his game.” Gonzalez explained. “He is a very good one-on-one dribbler and his vision on the field allows him to play-make from the midfield and forward positions.”
Jose Diaz, a defender from Santiago High School in Corona, CA, is a captain and starting center back for Arsenal FC of the USSF Development Academy. He played locally with Corona United and the Corona Eagles prior to playing with the Arsenal FC.
Diaz, a two-time All-Academic team member in high school, was a member of the Cal South ODP Team from 2006-08 and played with the L.A. Galaxy Sum Cup team in 2007. He was also scouted and on trial with San Luis, a Mexican First Division team.
“Jose is a 6‘4“ central defender and will be a dominant force in our defensive back line. He is very composed on the ball which leads to solid distribution on the field. Jose’s ability to organize the players around him will make him a tremendous asset to the program,” stated Gonzalez.
UC Riverside's recruiting class also includes two junior college transfers, Norm Mariscal and Tyler Wilson, who competed against each other at the 2008 CCCAA State Championships.
Mariscal, a transfer from Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA, led his team to the CCCAA State Championship in 2008, earning a First-Team All-South Coast Conference award. Originally from Centennial High School in Corona, CA, he was named First-Team All-League as a senior and Second-Team All-League as a junior.
“As one of the captains for the Cerritos College state championship soccer team, Norm brings innate leadership skills that will transfer over to our program,” Gonzalez explained. “He is a versatile player that is extremely athletic and will make an immediate impact this fall season.”
Rounding out the Highlanders class is Tyler Wilson, a Mt. San Antonio College transfer. Wilson was the starting right midfielder for the Mounties as they finished second in the 2008 CCCAA State championships, earning Second-Team All-League and finishing the year with eight goals and three assists. In 2007, he helped Mt. SAC to the SCC Championship and a 22-0-3 record. Wilson is a graduate of Chino Hills High School in Chino, CA.
“Tyler brings a great deal of athleticism, pace and technical ability to the 2009 class. As the captain of the Mt. San Antonio College soccer team he possesses the leadership and offensive qualities to contribute to the Highlander soccer program,” Gonzalez concluded.