Feb. 10, 2009

Oregon State men's soccer head coach Dana Taylor announced the 2009 recruiting class on Monday.  The group includes seven athletes graduating this spring and one junior college transfer.

"Our coaching staff has assembled a recruiting class that we feel has the ability to step in and contribute right away," Taylor said.  "The common thread among this group is athleticism, size and attitude.  We have very high expectations for these players and we are all very eager for August to arrive." 

The signing class includes the following players: Travis Anderson (D/M, 5-11, 170, Adelaide, Australia; Golden Grove High School), Tanner French (D/M, 5-10, 160, Sandpoint, ID; Sandpoint High school), Emmett Demirelli (D/M, 6-0, 170, Boise, ID; Centennial High School), Mike Hodgen (M, 6-2, 185, Centerville, UT; Bountiful High School), Tommy Martin (M, 6-3, 190, Park City, UT, Park City HS), Jake Parker (M, 5-9, 150, Milwaukie, OR; Milwaukie High School), Alex Penny (D, 6-1, 160, Hillsboro, OR; Glencoe High School), Travis Sanchez (F, 6-2, 185, Tucson, AZ; Mayfield High School/Pima Community College).

"Travis can play wide or central in the back, as well as in the midfield," Taylor said.  "He is quick, athletic and very technical, his experience as a starter with the National Team will be invaluable."

Tanner French (D/M, 5-10, 160, Sandpoint, ID; Sandpoint High School)

French won a state championship with Sandpoint High School in 2008 and 2006.  He was first-team All-Conference as a junior and senior, and was selected to the All-North-Idaho team in 2007 and 2008.  Current club team is Sandpoint Strikers.

"Tanner is athletic and will play in the midfield," Taylor said.  "He has great pace to get up and down the flanks."

Emmett Demirelli (D/M, 6-0, 170, Boise, ID; Centennial High School)
Demirelli played club soccer with the Boise Capitals and won five state championships.  He played for the Idaho Olympic Development Program for four years and advanced to the Region IV ODP pool.  At Centennial High School, he won a state championship in 2005 and was the Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year in 2008.

"Emmett has the versatility to help us in the back and in the midfield," Taylor said.  "He is mobile and likes to get forward; his athleticism and technical ability is clearly an asset. We expect Emmett will be able to contribute early in his college career due to his composure, high level work rate and ability to take care of the ball." 

Mike Hodgen (M, 6-2, 185, Centerville, UT; Bountiful High School)
Hodgen captained Bountiful High School to State Championships in 2008 and 2007, and was selected first-team All-State as a senior.  Played club soccer for Real Salt Lake and La Roca FC.   Utah Olympic Development Program Captain and starter, also starts for the Region IV ODP Team.

 "Mike is another tall, skillful center midfielder," Taylor said.  "He is athletic, works hard and keeps the forwards connected with the backs."

Tommy Martin (M, 6-3, 190, Park City, UT, Park City High School)
Martin was a two-time state champion with Park City High School, first-team All-State as a junior.  He also played for the Utah Rush and La Roca Futbol Club.  He was the Utah Olympic Development Program Captain and starter and also starts for the Region IV ODP Team.

"Tommy has the size, speed, strength and technical ability to be an outstanding center midfielder in college," Taylor said. "He has developed significantly over the past year and we expect him to play a big part in anchoring down our midfield."

Jake Parker (M, 5-9, 150, Milwaukie, OR; Milwaukie High School)
Parker's club team, Westside Metros Internationals, are among the best in the country. With Parker at center midfield, the Internationals are four-time state champions and perennial threats at the regional level.  At Milwaukie High School, Parker was a second-team All-State selection as a senior and joins his brother at OSU, sophomore Mike Parker.

"We are excited to have another Parker in the program; Jake is a relentless worker who takes care of the ball," Taylor said. "Jake's experience with the Internationals will help him tremendously as he joins former teammates Danny Mwanga and Tim Kagey."

Alex Penny (D, 6-1, 160, Hillsboro, OR; Glencoe High School)
Penny won a state championship with Glencoe in 2007, and was a first-team All-State selection as a senior.  Penny played for FC Portland and won a state title in 2006 prior to joining Bridlemile SC Swoosh.

"Alex is a strong and athletic defender, he reads and anticipates well," Taylor said.  "He is good at getting forward and has the ability to get the attack going quickly from the back."

Travis Sanchez (F, 6-2, 185, Tucson, AZ; Mayfield High School/Pima Community College)
Sanchez played two years for Mayfield High School and was named All-State as a freshman and sophomore prior to taking a two year hiatus from soccer.  Sanchez played club soccer for LC United and Tucson Academy.  He was a first-team NJCAA All-American scoring 14 goals for Pima. He was a member of the 2003 Olympic Development Program team.

"Travis is the striker we have been looking for; big, strong, mobile and fast," Taylor said, "He is technical and can hold the ball up. He is quick on the turn and he can finish. Travis will be an excellent complement to our current attack."