UCSB has added eight more players to its 2011 roster it was announced by head coach Tim Vom Steeg on Monday.
Joining the Gauchos this fall will be incoming freshmen Chris Roell, Marcial Cazares and Charlie Miller along with transfers Juan Gomez, Matthew Glodack, Peter Schmetz, André Grandt and Cesar Castillo.
“Our recruiting classes at UCSB, like our program, continue to reflect the fact that we need to develop players, but at the same time be able to put a team on the field that can compete for a national championship every year,” said Vom Steeg.
“In order to replace players who graduate or leave to pursue professional careers, we have to strike a balance between recruiting talented freshmen players and transfer students who can contribute right away.”
Chris Roell, who hails from Pennsylvania, is a four-year varsity letterwinner at Daniel Boone High School where he posted 48 goals and 32 assists during his prep career. He helped his team to a Division II Championship and is a three-time All-County First Team selection. Roell plays club soccer with Amity Forza FC – which he helped to a 2010 State Cup – as well as FC Revolution and AC Crusaders.
Marcial Cazares is the No. 4 ranked Southern California Player to Watch according to Top Drawer Soccer. He is a senior at Birmingham High School and plays club for the Chivas USA Academy, with which he played in the SUM Under-17 Cup. He was selected to the Development Academy U-16 West Conference Starting XI and was also selected to the Starting XI for the entire 77-team league.
Charlie Miller comes to UCSB from Servite High, where he has scored 29 career goals. He has been selected as the Trinity League Offensive Player of the Year after tallying 15 goals and three assists for the Friars this season. He has also earned ESPN Rise Player of the Week honors and was Servite’s Offensive MVP during the 2009-10 season. He plays club for Pataedores U-19.
“Chris Roell, Marcial Cazares and Charlie Miller are all young players who we believe will have great careers here at UCSB,” Vom Steeg said. “All three are left sided players that offer something different in their play.”
“Roell is a forward who is a top scorer at the prep level. Cazares is a very smart and technical player who can play both as a back and midfielder. Miller is the most versatile of the three, and similar to fellow Servite High graduate, Chris Pontius. He will probably start his career in the back but may be up front before he is done at UCSB.”
Following the graduation of Big West Defender of the Year Michael Boxall and the departure of All-Big West defender Chris Hunter (who is currently with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer), the recruiting of defenders that can contribute immediately became a high priority for the Gaucho coaching staff.
Juan Gomez, Matthew Glodack and Peter Schmetz have been brought in to bolster UCSB’s back line.
Gomez comes to Santa Barbara via Los Angeles Mission College where he was an All-Western State Conference First Team pick. The 6-2, 180 pound defender was also his team’s Most Valuable Player.
Glodack is a transfer from six-time NCAA Division II Champion Southern Connecticut State University. He started all 20 games as a true freshman in 2010 and helped the Owls to a 14-2-4 overall record. Glodack prepped at The Pendleton School in Bradenton, Fla.
Schmetz comes to UCSB from neighboring Westmont College where he started all 18 games and posted a goal and an assist for the Warriors this past fall. The 6-6, 195 pound defender hails from Erkarth, Germany and played in the VFL Wolfsburg club system.
“Juan Gomez, Matthew Glodack and Peter Schmetz all have experience playing college soccer and with that experience, they will be expected to step-in and contribute right away,” Vom Steeg said. “All three players are very good 1 v 1 defenders and are excellent on the ball.”
Goalkeeper André Grandt, another product of the VFL Wolfsburg system, will join the Gauchos after two seasons at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. He helped Tyler JC to consecutive National Championships and a 40-0-1 two-year record. He was a 2010 All-Region selection, the All-Tournament Goalkeeper at the National Championships and an Academic All-American. He posted a 0.40 goals against average and had 66 saves in 2010.
“Even though we are pleased with the progress made by our two young goalies, Eric Reyes and Austin Mansker, we felt we needed to add another goalkeeper with the experience of playing in big games,” Vom Steeg said. “Grandt brings a maturity and confidence to the position that will help our younger goalies continue to develop while helping to solidify a backline that will need some time to develop.”
Rounding out the recruiting class is Cesar Castillo, who is transferring from Cerritos College where he was an All-South West Conference First Team selection. In his two years with the Falcons, he posted 19 goals and 15 assists. Castillo prepped at Eagle Valley High School in Colorado and was a two-time All-State First Team pick. He holds the Colorado state record for goals after scoring 103 during his high school career, including 43 in his senior campaign.
Castillo will join an already deep Gaucho midfield that includes two-time All-Big West picks Luis Silva and Machael David as well as Nic Ryan, Josue Madueno, Fifi Baiden and Christian Vasquez.
“Cesar Castillo is one of the better players that we have recruited to UCSB,” Vom Steeg said. “He is a two-way midfielder who can assist, score and cover the field defensively. He will complement an already accomplished group of midfielders returning next year.”
This group of eight will be joined by U.S. U-20 National Team product, Dominick Sarle.
The Gauchos will be in action on Feb. 22 when they host Major League Soccer’s D.C. United in the Soccer Heaven Spring Showcase at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium. The friendly is slated for 7 pm start. As a special thank you to the Gaucho fans, admission to the match is free.
