Men’s Soccer: Saints boast strong recruiting class

May 14, 2007

Lacey, WA – Saint Martin’s University men’s soccer has signed a total of nine incoming freshmen and five transfers heading into their inaugural season in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference as announced by head coach Rob Walker.

Of the five transfers, three are from Highline Community College, Tucker Maxwell, Ruben Orozco, and Daniel Palermo. Maxwell is a defender and Orozco a midfielder while Palermo takes on both positions.

Maxwell will come in as a junior and was an NWAACC all-academic winner as well as all-Star and Western Conference MVP. Originally from Eagle, ID, he was named offensive player of the year twice and first-team all-conference.

“Tucker is an absolute gem,” said Walker. “He is well rounded in his ability to play across the back line. His NWAACC Player of the Year status really pushes his value in our team from both a performance and a leadership aspect. He is a recruit with great ability and soccer intelligence.”

Orozco is a 2006 graduate of Mt. Rainier High School where he was and all-Area and all-Star selection. He received an NWAACC all-Star selection at Highline as well.

“Ruben is a formidable player and brings a huge amount of skill, work-rate and tactical ability to our program. His pedigree from youth soccer speaks volumes for where he has been and our hope is that he can push our program upward,” said Walker.

Palermo also graduated from Mt. Rainier High School where he was a first-team all-League and first-team al-State selection his senior year. He earned NWAACC all-Star honors in 2005, his first year at Highline.

“Daniel is a gifted player who can play in the back and also may play up front as a Saint. He was quite capable as a defender and could make his presence felt coming forward to score goals as well,” said Walker. “Daniel can do his own running and the running for other players if need be; he’s extremely versatile and we will be a more well-rounded team with him in our lineup.”

Ryan Nichols and Jesse Ramos account for the Saints’ other two transfers. Nichols is a junior goal keeper from the University of Washington while Ramos is a junior defender from Seattle Central Community College.

“Ryan is a bright, technical hard working goalkeeper who could challenge for the starting job from day one,” said Walker. “He reads the game well and has the ability and potential to cover the routine issues and make the big saves as well. He will make a contribution to our team on the field everyday in training and also be a positive off the field as well.”

“Jesse brings a wealth of experience to our side as he has been a steady and effective player in Washington State’s tough Men’ League. He has great physical tools and tactical awareness and is pretty sharp on the ball too. His wisdom in soccer and in life comes from some great soccer experience against really solid players,” added Walker.

Of the nine incoming freshmen, five have been all-league selections including Kramer Cross, Victor Kelmel, Henok Kidane, Andrew Schroeder, and Thomas Young.

Cross, a midfielder and forward from Timberline High School, was named first-team all-league in 2006 and was a member of the all-State team both his sophomore and junior years. He had 16 goals and 16 assists his junior year.

“Kramer is a great local talent and has been well schooled by his high school and club coaches over the years. He is technical and tenacious and could play in a number of different positions as a collegian,” stated Walker.

Kelmel is a multiple position player out of South Kitsap High School who can play defender, midfielder, or forward for the Saints. He received all-Narrows League honorable mention his sophomore year and has been named a Distinguished Scholar three of the last four years.

“Victor is a smooth technical player with a very good “soccer IQ.” His ability to see the game, distribute great service and defend well will give us a firm footing against tough opposition in the fall,” said Walker.

Kidane is a midfielder out of West Seattle High School. He has twice been selected first-team all-Metro League and second-team all-Metro once.

“Henok has enormous ability on the ball and his attacking capabilities and instincts will carry him a long way in the collegiate game.” Added Walker, “He pairs his skill with great work ethic and has huge potential to set up teammates and score great goals.”

Schroeder, a defender and midfielder, is from La Salle High School which has been the league champion and state finalist the last four years. He has been first-team all-league and second-team all-State both of the last two years as well as team captain.

“Andy comes from a very good club background in Oregon and will be a strong defender on the backline for us next year,” said Walker. “He can also play in a midfielder’s role, and that will be something we’ll look at in pre-season as well. For a freshman, Andy brings experience and a steadying influence to our squad.”

Out of Todd Beamer High School, Young was the team captain in 2007 and helped his team to the State Championships. In 2006 he was named first-team all-SPSL South.

“TJ has solid techniques for a goalkeeper,” said Walker. “His reactions are superb and he can play off his line and organize players in front of him. He’s demonstrated the maturity necessary to lead from his position which is essential to our program moving forward from day one.”

Rounding out the freshmen class are Simon Craig, Zak Lubin, Erik Orozco, and Vlad Voin.

Craig is a midfielder and defender from Meadowdale High School where he was a four year letterman and part of the 3A State Championship team his freshman year.

“Simon is a solid tough defender who really caught my eye during his play in the Washington State Youth Soccer League and Championship Cup,” stated Walker. “He should be able to play multiple roles across the back line for us next year.”

Lubin is a goalkeeper from Bozeman High School. “Zak’s impressive the moment he walks on the field as he towers over other squad members at 6’5”. He has the fabric to blossom at the collegiate level. Some solid training in the first year with some good game experience should go a long way in determining how good he will be.”

Orozco and Voin are both midfielders. Orozco comes out of Decatur High School while Voin is from Cascade High School.

“Erik is great in wide positions and can play in defense or in midfield. He is tenacious in his 1 vs. 1 defending and very good coming forward and serving. His work-rate is top class and he trains as hard as he plays on game day,” said Walker. “He’s very bright on and off the field and will be huge in his ability to play at the DII level.”

“Vlad is a great presence in midfield,” said Walker. “He’s good at playing wide and is effective taking players on. His technique is of the highest standard and along with other players on the team should make the midfield corps a real strength for us next year. Vlad is another player with great soccer intelligence and has the skill to cause problems for opponents at the next level.”

The addition of these 14 recruits combined with the Saints current roster gives them a solid group as they transition from club into their first season as part of NCAA DII soccer.