February 24, 2010
Lacey, WA – Saint Martin’s University men’s soccer coach Rob Walker has announced the signing of six student-athletes for the 2010-11 season.
Included on the men’s side are three midfielders, Brandon Meyer, CJ Chu and Ricco Sanchez.
Meyer, a local product from Timberline High School, was a first-team all-league selection in 2009.
“Brandon is tremendously athletic, skillful, and has a good sound tactical presence to his game,” said Walker. “His work rate is top-class and his recognition of what makes a good shape in the game is one of his strong assets.”
Chu comes out of Mt. Rainier High School where he was a first-team all-Seamount league selection his senior year as well as team MVP.
“CJ has great soccer fundamentals and looks to have as much ability and versatility of any player we have brought into our program in four years. He can play in either a wide or central role, has great vision and just enough pace to be very dangerous,” said Walker. “I am impressed with CJ’s ability to play both sides of the ball and to recognize the key transitions in the game.”
Rounding out the midfielders is the Saints’ only transfer, Sanchez. Sanchez has played the last two years at Highline Community College where he was a two-time NWACC All-Star and a member of the 2008 District Championship team. A graduate of Todd Beamer High School, Sanchez was a first-team all-league selection in 2007.
“Ricco has a great skill set for a midfielder; he’s a good passer of the ball, understands the tactical responsibilities of ‘when to go and when to hold’ and is a great winner of the ball,” said Walker. “He is a player with considerable collegiate experience and as a transfer will make a solid impact in the team.”
The Saints bring in two players out of Stadium High School, Dylan Gaydosh and Andrew Cunningham.
Gaydosh was a first-team all-State honoree his junior year, scoring 24 goals for the Tigers. He was also a first-team all-league selection his freshman season and all-State his sophomore year, both at Bellarmine.
“Dylan is an excellent target player up front with a great first touch,” said Walker. “He plays with excellent vision going to goal, making good choices in shooting and passing. Dylan looks to have great instincts and genuinely likes to make himself dangerous, which is a great attribute for a collegiate striker.”
Cunningham, who earned a varsity letter as a freshman, also played for the Crossfire Premiere team.
“Andrew is a very competent defender who has a good marking skill as well as excellent vision and distribution. His addition to our program will help us expand the ability of our back four to defend and to attack and give us great options in terms of how we play,” said Walker.
Rounding out the men’s group is goalkeeper JJ Olsen. A product of Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Minnesota, Olson was a member of the SSM U17 team that finished as the U.S. Club Soccer National runners-up.
“JJ comes to us from a very competitive program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s,” said Walker. “He has excellent work ethic, quick reflexes and good technique. He sees and directs the game well and is seasoned in his communication and decision making.”
The Saints, who won their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championship last season with a 6-2 record, are looking to maintain their strength within the conference and are hoping that this recruiting class will help them do just that.