Pioneers Add 17 With 2010 Signing Class
- February 5, 2010
HAYWARD, Calif. - Head Coach Andy Cumbo and the Cal State East Bay men's soccer team announced the signing of an unprecedented 17 players in the largest signing class of his nine-year coaching career. The list of signees includes a trio of goalkeepers, five defenders, four midfielders and five strikers, each of whom has a list of impressive credentials both on and off the field.
"Our entire coaching staff is very excited about the recruiting class we are bringing to Cal State East Bay," Cumbo said. "This class is filled with very experienced and successful players who have competed at very high levels. The playing experience ranges from the U.S. Soccer Development Academy to the Olympic Development Program to the Coast Premier Soccer League, some of the strongest clubs in California and the biggest and best youth tournaments in the country."
A native of Temecula, Calif., Bryce Bookhamer is a 6-1 goalkeeper from Great Oak High School. Bookhamer was named first-team All-CIF Southern Section for the 2008-09 season after helping guide the Wolfpack to the CIF Division III title. Bookhamer also earned first-team All-Valley honors as a junior and sophomore, while leading Great Oak to back-to-back Southwestern League championships. Bookhamer plays his club soccer with United FC, along with five other East Bay signees, and helped the third-ranked club in the nation take the 2009 California State Cup and a U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV finals appearance. Bookhamer holds down a 3.3 grade point average at Great Oak, where he was one of 48 students to receive the Teacher Choice Award.
"Bryce is an extremely athletic and explosive goalkeeper," Cumbo said. "He was a very early priority for us and we are confident in his ability to be as successful at our level as he was with high school and club. He is the type of goalkeeper and game-changer who finds a way to make big saves. He is a great leader and a team player."
Carlos Navarrete hails from Waterford, Calif. The 5-10 senior has experience on the wing, in the central midfield and as a striker, playing his first two seasons at Waterford High School before finishing his career at Johansen High School. Navarrete was an All-Modesto Metro Conference selection as a senior and junior with the Vikings. As a sophomore at Waterford, Navarrete scored 56 goals and earned Player of the Year honors, while leading the Wildcats to the 2007 Southern League title and a Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI finals appearance. Navarrete plays for Mustang SC Strikers, a U.S. Soccer Development Academy team. The Strikers were the 2008 U.S. Club Soccer Region H champions, advancing to the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup Finals that season. Navarrete was also an Olympic Development Program (ODP) Region IV pool player.
"Carlos is very skilled, creative and effective with the ball," Cumbo said. "He is a playmaker who understands and reads the game very well. He is very versatile and makes a tremendous impact offensively. He has played at a very high level and we are excited about the contribution he can make to our program."
Hailing from Phillips Ranch, Calif., Paul Dewhurst is a 6-2 center back out of Diamond Ranch High School. A three-year starter for the Panthers, Dewhurst was named first-team All-Miramonte League as a junior and is currently serving as captain for the 2010 campaign. Dewhurst earned an honorable mention nod as a sophomore when Diamond Ranch captured the Miramonte League title. Dewhurst is also a three-year captain with Legends FC, where he helped his squad take the Coast Soccer Premier League U17 title in 2009 and the prestigious Surf Cup Tournament title in 2008. Dewhurst has also excelled in the classroom, earning Diamond Ranch's Teacher's Choice Award as a junior and Scholar-Athlete Award as a sophomore. Dewhurst, who anticipates majoring in communication or sports journalism at Cal State East Bay, carries a 4.2 GPA at Diamond Ranch.
"Paul is physically very strong and he dominates in the air," Cumbo said. "He can play as a center back and as a defensive midfielder. He's very good at communicating and organizing, and he is also very comfortable on the ball. We were very aggressive in our pursuit of Paul and we are confident in his ability to be a solid contributor in the CCAA."
A native of Pico Rivera, Calif., Alexis Romo is a 5-10 midfielder at Santa Fe High School. As a sophomore for the Chiefs, Romo earned an All-Del Rio League honorable mention selection, and helped Santa Fe to a 2007 CIF Southern Section playoff berth. Romo is one of six signees who play their club soccer with United FC, ranked No. 3 in the nation, helping the squad take the 2009 California State Cup and earn a U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Region finals berth. A 4.0 student at Santa Fe, Romo hopes to major in kinesiology at Cal State East Bay.
"Alexis is a very creative and attacking minded player," Cumbo said. "He does very well taking players on and combining with others. He has the ability to find a way to goal for himself and others. He is an excellent student and very intelligent on the field. He should be very helpful with our attack."
Sacramento, Calif., native Brett Souza joins the Pioneers from American River College. A 5-7 striker, Souza was named Big 8 Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 after posting 42 points on 18 goals and six assists, which ranked 10th in the state. Souza guided the Beavers to a 15-3-5 overall record and a North Region quarterfinals appearance that season. A graduate of Sacramento High School, Souza plans to major in kinesiology.
"Brett is a very strong and explosive forward," Cumbo said. "He is a great goal scorer who is versatile in an attacking role. He was very successful at the junior college level as he was the 10th-leading goal scorer in 2008 with 18 goals. I'm confident that he will find success in front of the goal for us as well."
Tyler Webster, a 6-0 defender, comes to Cal State East Bay from Wilson High School in Portland, Ore. A four-year starter, Webster was a captain and an All-Portland Interscholatic League First Team selection as a senior. He also earned honorable mention nods as both a sophomore and junior. Webster plays his club soccer with Eastside United FC's Liverpool squad, capturing the Oregon State Cup twice in the last three years. Liverpool also took home the 2008 Surf Cup Tournament and the 2009 Nomads tournament titles. Webster is a five-year veteran of the Olympic Development Program, participating in regional camp each year. Webster plans to major in kinesiology and carries a 3.44 GPA at Wilson.
"Tyler will help solidify our defense in the backline," Cumbo said. "He organizes well and he is also very strong in the air. Defensively he is very consistent and he is comfortable with the ball at his feet."
Also hailing from Temecula, Calif., Arthur Ethel is a 5-9 back and midfielder from Great Oak High School. Playing alongside fellow signee Bryce Bookhamer, Ethel was named second-team All-Southwestern League as a sophomore and junior and helped the Wolfpack capture the 2008-09 Southern Section Division III title. One of six United FC players to sign with the Pioneers, Ethel was a member of United's 2009 California State Cup Championship team and helped the squad to reach the U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV finals last year. Ethel boasts a 3.8 GPA at Great Oak and is interested in majoring in kinesiology at Cal State East Bay.
"Arthur is a very quick, fast and tough outside back who can play on either side," Cumbo said. "He plays the ball quickly and does well getting forward in the attack. He will help us in our possession and in our ability to go forward as a group."
Murrieta, Calif., native Steven Belalcazar is a 6-0 defender out of Vista Murrieta High School. Belalcazar comes to East Bay from Arsenal FC, the same club organization that produced current Pioneers Andy Pauley, Josh Alvarez and Ryan Herriage. Belalcazar plays on the Arsenal FC Development Academy team, part of U.S. Soccer’s national initiative to provide the best youth players with the training and competition needed to produce the next national team players. Belalcazar plans to major in kinesiology.
"Steven is a tough and hard-nosed player," Cumbo said. "He plays with a lot of emotion and commitment. He has good ball skills is likely to help us in a defensive role. He has continually developed over the past year and we are looking forward to playing our part in continuing his development."
Alex Settlemire, a 6-0 back from Laguna Nigel, Calif., joins the Pioneers from Capistrano Valley High School. Settlemire played three years for the Cougars alongside fellow signees Conley Perry and Patrick Gilberston, helping Capistrano Valley to the playoffs as a junior. Like Gilbertson, Perry and three other signees, Settlemire played club soccer with United FC where he has served as captain since he played for United's U13 squad. Settlemire led United to the 2009 California State Cup championship and a U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Region finals appearance and gained experience in professional trials with Anderlecht of the Belgian First Division and Dutch club Willem II. Settlemire is also a three-year veteran of the ODP Cal South team, earning a spot in the regional pool for one year. Settlemire carries a 3.15 GPA at Capistrano Valley and is planning to major in business administration.
"Alex is a very consistent defensive minded player," Cumbo said. "He is very comfortable as an outside back and he also has a lot of experience as a center back. He has been a consistent leader for his club and we are looking for that to transfer to our level as well."
Hailing from Mission Viejo, Calif., Conley Perry is a 5-9 midfielder and defender out of Capistrano Valley High School. Perry played alongside fellow signees Alex Settlemire and Patrick Gilbertson with the Cougars, earning two varsity letters. Perry is one of six signees to join the Pioneers from United FC, where helped his team to the 2009 California State Cup and a U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV semifinals appearance. Prior to joining United, Perry played for San Diego Surf's U15/16 Development Academy team where he was named Surf Player of the Year in 2005.
"Conley is an aggressive and tenacious midfielder," Cumbo said. "He is also very technical and he has played at a high level. He is just now getting back on the field following a long injury and we are very confident in his ability to be successful for us."
Daniel Borst is a Yorba Linda, Calif., native and an outside midfielder and forward from Esperanza High School, where he played alongside fellow signees Jeremy and Jerrod Stith. As a team captain for the Aztecs, Borst earned first-team All-Sunset League honors after leading Esperanza to the 2009 Sunset League title. Borst also led the league in points and is a three-time scholar-athlete at Esperanza. Borst plays club soccer for Pateadores RMO as a U.S. Soccer Development Academy team member. A future kinesiology major, Borst carries a 3.9 GPA at Esperanza and has traveled to Mexico and India on humanitarian trips.
"Daniel is a play maker with a lot of great club experience," Cumbo said. "He is very attacking minded and a very intelligent player. He comes from a very solid soccer background and we're pleased he is joining us."
A 5-9 midfielder out of East High School, Spencer Ford hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. A four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year starter, Ford is a senior captain for the Leopards. A member of Firebirds FC, Ford is a four-year captain with the club. Ford boasts a 3.8 GPA at East and plans to major in kinesiology.
"Spencer is very explosive and fast player, who covers ground very quickly," Cumbo said. "He is versatile and extremely coachable. He is an excellent student who we are eager to begin working with."
A native of Yorba Linda, Calif., Jeremy Stith is a 5-11 outside midfielder and striker at Esperanza High School and joins former teammates Daniel Borst and his twin brother Jerrod Stith at East Bay. Stith helped the Aztecs take the 2009 Sunset League title and is a starter on the 2009-10 squad. A member of West Coast FC Premier, Stith helped his team to a third-place showing in the Coast Soccer Premier League and a quarterfinals appearance at the prestigious Nomads Tournament last year. A talented artist, Stith enjoys painting and plans to major in pictorial arts at Cal State East Bay.
"Jeremy is a very hard working and physical outside player," Cumbo said. "He has a lot of energy and excitement and he is having a great senior season for high school."
Kyle Ball hails from Huntington Beach, Calif., and is a 5-8 center mid at Edison High School. A four-year starter for the Chargers, Ball earned a first-team All-Sunset League selection in 2009 and was voted his team's offensive MVP as a junior. Ball plays club soccer for Slammers FC, where he has been a starter for the past eight seasons. Helped Slammers take the Coast Soccer U19 Premier League title and capture the San Diego Surf Cup Super Division championships last year. Ball anticipates majoring in business administration and enjoys snowboarding and skateboarding.
"Kyle is a very skilled and consistent midfielder," Cumbo said. "He has a great work rate and is a very disciplined player. He does well breaking up plays both on the ground and in the air. He has been a consistent player for a strong club. He has competed and found success at a high level."
Jacob Bedell is a 5-9 striker from Paso Robles, Calif., who prepped at Paso Robles High School. A two-year captain and four-year starter for the Bearcats, Bedell has notched 98 points on 42 goals and 14 assists during his high school career. Bedell plays for Santa Barbara Soccer Club, where he has scored 38 goals while adding 20 assists over the last three seasons. A fluent Spanish speaker, Bedell holds a 3.36 GPA at Paso Robles and plans to major in physical therapy with a minor in Spanish at Cal State East Bay.
"Jake is a very strong center forward who does well receiving with pressure on his back," Cumbo said. "He is a target player who can also be a play maker. He has a great feel for the game and he is very consistent in front of the goal."
Hailing from Yorba Linda, Calif., Jerrod Stith is a 5-11 goalkeeper at Esperanza High School, where he played alongside fellow signees Daniel Borst and his twin brother Jeremy Stith. A three-year starter in goal for the Aztecs, Stith was named first-team All-Sunset League twice while helping Esperanza to three straight CIF playoff appearances. Plays with his brother for West Coast FC Premier, helping the squad to third place in the Coast Soccer Premier League and a quarterfinals appearance at the Nomads Tournament in 2009. An avid artist, Stith enjoys both drawing and painting and is considering a minor in pictorial arts at East Bay.
"Jerrod is a very consistent, smart and hard working goalkeeper," Cumbo said. "He is very intelligent and vocal. Technically he is very sound and he does very well keeping the team organized. He is a very committed player and we are confident in his ability to help make us stronger."
A Mission Viejo, Calif., native, Patrick Gilbertson is a 6-1 keeper out of Capistrano Valley High School where he played alongside fellow signees Alex Settlemire and Conley Perry. A four-year letterwinner for the Cougars, Gilbertson is a senior captain. One of six newcomers to play for United FC, Gilbertson helped the team to the 2009 California State Cup title and a semifinals appearance in the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals last year. Gilberston carries a 3.5 GPA at Capistrano Valley and plans to major in business.
"Patrick is a physically strong and well rounded goalkeeper," Cumbo said. "He is a very determined and self motivated player. He has successfully rebounded from two major injuries and we are very excited to help him reach his full potential."
The 2010 signing class will join several key returners from the 2009 season as the Pioneers enter their second campaign in Division II and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). With 17 talented and experienced newcomers, this signing class looks set to make an immediate impact for Cal State East Bay men's soccer in 2010.
"We are ready to compete in the CCAA and at the Division II level," Cumbo said. "These players are eager and excited to compete for CSUEB at our new synthetic turf field which opens this summer. This is a very special and talented recruiting class who will play an important role in our upcoming success."
The Pioneers open the 2010 slate in September, as they travel to Hawai'i for three games against Division II opponents before returning home to host Cal State Dominguez Hills in CCAA action on Sept. 10 under the lights at the renovated Pioneer Stadium.
2010 Cal State East Bay Men's Soccer Signing Class
(Name - Pos. - Ht. - Hometown - High School/JC - Club)
- Bryce Bookhamer - GK - 6-1 - Temecula - Great Oak - United FC
- Carlos Navarrete - F/M - 5-10 - Waterford - Johansen - Mustang SC Development Academy
- Paul Dewhurst - D/M - 6-2 - Phillips Ranch - Diamond Ranch - Legends FC
- Alexis Romo - M - 5-10 - Pico Rivera - Santa Fe - United FC
- Brett Souza - F - 5-7 - Sacramento - American River College
- Tyler Webster - D/M - 6-0 - Portland, Ore. - Wilson - Eastside United FC Liverpool
- Arthur Ethel - D/M - 5-9 - Temecula - Great Oak - United FC
- Steven Belalcazar - D - 6-0 - Murrieta - Murrieta Valley - Arsenal FC Development Academy
- Alex Settlemire - D - 6-0 - Laguna Nigel - Capistrano Valley - United FC
- Conley Perry - M/D - 5-9 - Mission Viejo - Capistrano Valley - United FC
- Daniel Borst - M/F - 5-9 - Yorba Linda - Esperanza - Pateadores RMO Development Academy
- Spencer Ford - M - 5-9 - Salt Lake City, Utah - East - Firebirds FC
- Jeremy Stith - M/F - 5-11 - Yorba Linda - Esperanza - West Coast FC Premier
- Kyle Ball - M - 5-8 - Huntington Beach - Edison - Slammers FC
- Jacob Bedell - F - 5-9 - Paso Robles - Paso Robles - Santa Barbara Soccer Club
- Jerrod Stith - GK - 5-11 - Yorba Linda - Esperanza - West Coast FC Premier
- Patrick Gilbertson - GK - 6-1 - Mission Viejo - Capistrano Valley - United FC