The MNU Men's Soccer team released information on their recruiting class for the 2010 season today. Coming in at 12 members this is one of the biggest recruiting classes that MNU has had in the last few years. Coming off of a disappointing 2009 season Coach Wardlaw is optimistic about this group of incoming players. “We have worked hard to bring this group of student-athletes to MNU. This group is not only represented by some very talented players but also young men who understand what it means to be successful and contribute to a team.”
Logan Austin is from Hughesville, Missouri and attended Northwest High School. While at Northwest he was named to the All-Conference, All-District, and All-Region teams on 2 separate occasions. Logan also was named to the Missouri All-State 2nd Team. Coach Wardlaw says, “Logan is a player who has a lot of natural ability. His development into the college game will determine how much he is able to impact our program.”
The lone goalkeeper in this class, Dakota Bowen is from Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He attended Central Hardin High School. While in high school he was named to the Kentucky All-State 1st Team in both his Junior and Senior years. He was also on the Kentucky ODP team and won the Golden Glove award at the Keeper Edge Soccer Camp. Coach Wardlaw says, “Dakota has the potential to develop into a very good college keeper. He has all the tools necessary and with 2 seniors ahead of him this year he will be given the perfect environment to train and develop his skills.”
Taylor Esparza is one of four local players in this 2010 class. A graduate of Olathe East High School, Taylor has numerous accolades both on the field and in the classroom. Taylor was a member of the National Honor Society, in the 21st Century Leadership program, a 20/20 Leadership candidate and has earned 100 hours of community service. Taylor graduated with a 3.95 GPA and has plans to enter MNU's Pre-Med program. On the field at Olathe East, Taylor helped his team to a runner up finish in the 6A Kansas State tournament his junior year. His senior year Taylor was named to the 2009 Honorable Mention All-State team, the NEKSCA Regional 2nd Team, and the Sunflower League 1st Team. Taylor plays his club ball for the KCFC Spartans who are coached by Gareth Hughes. Coach Wardlaw says, “Taylor is one of the finest young men you will find. He has so much potential and I am excited to see how he develops. His versatility will allow us to look at him at numerous positions.”
Justin Harrison, one of 5 recruits from the state of Texas, attended Little Elm High School where he was a 4 year starter on the varsity team. In those 4 years he was named to the All-District team 3 times. He plays his club soccer for the TLSC/Ayses 92 Gold team. Justin's club teams have been State Cup Champions, Classic League Grand Champions, and have participated in the Dallas Cup and Disney Cup tournaments. Coach Wardlaw says, “Justin is your classic blue collar kid. He will give you everything he's got and then more if you ask. He has an incredible passion for the game and I know that these attributes he brings will benefit our team.”
Continuing the tradition of incredible players from the Houstonians Club in Houston, Texas to come to MNU is Irvin Ignacio. Irvin attended Jeff Davis High School where he had a major impact on the soccer team. In his four years he was named the District Defensive player-of-the-year 3 times and in 2008 and 2009 he was named District MVP. As a member of the Houstonians Futbol Club, Irvin has been a major contributor to the team's success. In his time with the club they have been Disney Cup Finalists, losing in Pk's, Dallas Cup participants and South Texas State Cup finalists on 3 separate occasions. Coach Wardlaw says, “Irvin will make an immediate impact on our program. He is a very smart and athletic defender who will step in and provide us much needed talent in the back.”
Another local product, Cody Maupin from Overland Park, Kansas will come in and challenge for a position at left back or left midfield. He attended Blue Valley Northwest High School where he was a scholar athlete and a captain of the varsity team his senior year. An Eagle Scout, Cody stays busy with his Blue Valley Stars Barcelona club team which competes in the very competitive Midwest Region League. Coach Wardlaw says, “Cody is a very hard working, athletic left footed player. He has a ton of potential and is a player that I do not think has even begun to show what he is capable of.”
Luke Pontin is one of three transfers in this year's class. He comes to MNU from the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma where he attended for one year. While at USAO he was a part of a team that won the Sooner Conference Championship and qualified for the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Luke is from Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England and spent his youth development with Lutterworth Athletic FC. Luke will have 3 years of eligibility left and has plans to major in Graphic Design. Coach Wardlaw says, “Luke will bring a wealth of experience to our team. Having been a part of such a successful team at USAO will allow Luke to bring a winning mentality to MNU. Along with our returning players he should be able to solidify this expectation of success.”
Rodrigo Rivas is from Houston, Texas by way of Dallas. A graduate of Aleif Taylor High School he has spent the last year at Houston Community College. A member of the Houston Leones youth teams he has also gotten valuable playing time with the PDL team. Rodrigo is a physical presence and is usually found somewhere on the back line. Coach Wardlaw says, “I have not doubt that Rodrigo will be a great player for us. He should challenge at center back right away. He has been playing at a very high level for the last year and this experience will help him adjust to the college game.”
Kalev Saarna is the second transfer to sign with MNU. His last stop at the collegiate level was at Park University in Parkville, Missouri. A graduate of Sumner Academy of Arts & Design, Kalev was a multi sport athlete and did very well in the classroom. He will come to MNU after taking a year off to travel and work. Kalev is from Kansas City, Kansas and played his youth soccer with the KC Legends. Coach Wardlaw says, “Kalev is a very technical and creative player. His game has improved a ton since he was a youth player and I believe the best is yet to come for him. MNU will be a great fit for Kalev and the style that he likes to play.”
Continuing the tradition of top players to transfer to MNU from Johnson County Community College is Michael Shadfar. His 2 years at JCCC were very successful. While at JCCC, Michael was named NJCAA National Player-of-the-Week, 1st Team All-Conference, and 1st Team All-Region. A local product, he is from Overland Park, Kansas and graduated from Blue Valley North High School. While at BVN he helped the team to a Kansas 6A State Championship, and was named to the 1st Team All-EKL, 1st Team All-Region, and 1st Team All-State teams. He played his club ball for the KCFC Alliance and participated in numerous tournaments around the country. Coach Wardlaw says, “Michael brings a lot of experience to our team. He has played on some very successful teams thus far in his career and that should only continue at MNU. Michael's work rate and dedication to training will serve him very well and I expect good things from him.”
John Torres from Houston, Texas is another player from the Houstonians Futbol Club. In his time with the club they have been Disney Cup Finalists, losing in Pk's, Dallas Cup participants and South Texas State Cup finalists on 3 separate occasions. A left-footed player who has played a major role in the success of his team, John will join MNU's program with big expectations. He attended Cypress Falls High School and was named to the All-District 1st Team this year. John will join teammate Irvin Ignacio at MNU. Coach Wardlaw says, “John has all of the tools to become a player at the next level. His discipline to training and staying focused will determine how far he will go with the immense talent that he has. I expect for John to impact our program in a very positive manner.”
Tanner Wall is from Sherman, Texas and rounds out the MNU recruits from that state. He attended Sherman High School and was named to the All District 2nd Team as a junior. As a senior he was honored with a 1st Team All-District selection. Tanner has an impressive resume at the club level. His club team won the USYSA Region 3 tournament and advanced to the National Tournament in Virginia Beach. They were Disney Cup finalists in 2009 and have participated in the Dallas Cup tournament. Tanner currently plays his club ball with FC Dallas. Coach Wardlaw says, “Tanner is a very creative and technical player. He will need to adjust to the college game but has all of the tools to be able to do so. I am excited to see how Tanner develops and how much he improves in this environment.”
