OSU Men's Soccer Signs 10 Players

Photo; OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS - Oregon State men’s soccer coach Dana Taylor announced his recruiting class Thursday for the 2007 season, and his 10-player list includes a strong group of standout student-athletes.

There are three each from Oregon (one via the Congo) and Arizona, two from Idaho, one from Nevada and one from Virginia.

A promising start gave way to a difficult finish as the Oregon State men’s soccer team ended the 2006 season with an overall record of 5-12-2 and a sixth-place finish in the Pac-10 Conference at 0-9-1.

At the start of Pac-10 play, the Beavers were 5-2-1 but went winless over their final 11 games

“I feel this recruiting class may rank as one of our best in the past eight years,” Taylor said.

“We improved our defense significantly and added depth in the back. The attacking players we have added should impact the squad right away. As a group, they have excellent size to match their athleticism and skill. This group has also proven to be very successful in the classroom. We have a very strong group of returning starters, and our 2007 team should be much deeper and very talented. We are eager for the new season to begin.”

Following are short biographies on each player and Taylor’s comments:

Michael Epple, defender, 6-foot-0, 180 pounds (Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle HS) – Played club for the Sereno Soccer Club, which won four state championships in Arizona and advanced to the finals of the Far West Regionals twice … His club team won the prestigious Disney Soccer Showcase Tournament three times, in addition to the Celtic Cup, Nomads and Surf Cup … Played in the Arizona Olympic Development Program.

“Mike is among the top defenders in the country and he has played a key role in the success of Sereno,” Taylor said. “He is very athletic and comfortable with the ball. He’s 6-feet tall and has a 31-inch vertical leap. He is tremendous in the air and will be able to play in a variety of defensive positions for us.”

Sean Fincham, defender, 6-foot-0, 170 pounds (Bend, Ore./Summit HS) – Named to the all-league first team in 2005 and 2006 and was an All-State (5A) honorable mention selection in 2006 … Played club for Oregon United Soccer Academy … Member of the Summit High School 4x400 relay team that won the state title in 2005 … Played in the Oregon Olympic Development Program.

“Sean is a very solid defender and is an excellent athlete,” Taylor said. “His speed allows him to neutralize his opponent and close down the opposition very quickly. Sean will provide depth in the back.”

Tim Kelly, defender, 6-foot-0, 180 pounds (Surprise, Ariz./Centennial HS/Yavapai JC) – Named a 2006 All-American second teamer by both the NJCAA and NSCAA at Yavapai Junior College … Captain of the 2006 Yavapai team that finished fourth in the national poll, and was a freshman on the 2005 team that finished second nationally … Yavapai had a 46-2-3 record in his two seasons … Former OSU standout and current MLS player Alan Gordon also attended Yavapai … Kelly was an all-state first team selection at Centennial High School in 2005.

“As a junior college transfer, Tim will bring a wealth of experience to Oregon State after having played in the NJCAA Nationals. He has good size and athleticism, and is technically very clean. He will play a key role in restarts, he has a long throw-in and is a free kick specialist. He can play anywhere in the back and step into the midfield as well.”

Michael McLeod, goalkeeper, 6-foot-0, 180 pounds (Boise, Idaho/Boise HS) – The 5A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year … Played club soccer for Boise Nationals, which advanced to the Far West Regionals twice … Played for the Idaho Olympic Development Program and was the starting goalkeeper for the ’89 Region IV team in 2006-07.

“Michael is very athletic,” Taylor said. “He has all of the qualities you look for in a goalkeeper: athletic, quick, technical, good leadership skills and bravery. His experience with the Regional team has exposed him to some of the best players in the country. Michael is clearly among the top goalkeepers in the country and will challenge for playing time immediately.”

Chris Miller, defender, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds (Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown HS) – An all-state first team member in 2006 and the Virginia Gazette Player of the Year … Plays club soccer for Virginia Rush … Played in the Virginia Olympic Development Program.

“Chris is an outstanding central defender who can fill several defensive roles for us,” Taylor said. “He is very mobile and is an excellent ball winner. Chris will be a threat to score with his head on restarts, and is capable of getting forward and involved in the attack.”

Danny Mwanga, forward, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds (Portland, Ore./Jefferson HS) – Originally from the Congo … Moved to the United States in July 2006 … Plays club soccer for Westside Metros Internationals … Plays in the Oregon Olympic Development Program … Did not play high school soccer this year.

“Danny is young, however he is mature and tactically wise beyond his years,” Taylor said. “He is a clinical finisher and a proven goal scorer. He will be able to play any position up front and will cause problems for our opponents with his clever runs, and ability to beat players. Danny’s experiences in Africa gives him a significant advantage.”

Mike Parker, midfielder, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds (Tigard, Ore./Milwaukie HS) A two-time All-State honorable mention selection … Team captain at Tigard and MVP from 2004-06 … 29 goals and 27 assists in his high school career … Plays club soccer for Westside Metros Storm, who won the state title in 2005 and advanced to the Far West Regionals.

“Mike is a very technical player and understands the game quite well,” Taylor said. “He is mobile and has a superior fitness level. Mike will help us in the midfield.”

Brian Ramsey, forward, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds (Pocatello, Idaho/Highland HS) – An All-State 5A first-team selection … Team captain at Highland … Scored 22 goals as a senior and had 50 goals in his four-year career … Played club soccer for PVSC.

“Brian is a great athlete and has established himself as a goal scorer,” Taylor said. “He is an exceptionally hard worker and can play an attacking role either centrally or wide. His size, determination and finishing prowess make him a true threat in the attacking third of the field.”

Steven Spangler, goalkeeper, 6-foot-4, 200 pounds (Scottsdale, Ariz./Brophy College Prep) – Played with the Sereno Soccer Club, which won four state championships in Arizona and advanced to the finals of the Far West Regionals twice … Won the prestigious Disney Soccer Showcase Tournament three times, in addition to Celtic Cup, Nomads and Surf Cup … Played in the Arizona Olympic Development Program.

“Steven has really developed over the past year and has been an anchor in the back for an exceptional Sereno team,” Taylor said. “Steven has excellent training habits and is technically very good. Steven’s size and athleticism will make him an imposing figure in the goal.”

Zac Zaher, midfielder, 6-foot-0, 175 pounds (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman HS) – A four-year varsity starter for Bishop Gorman, which won the state title in 2006 and was a semifinalist in 2005 … A three-time all-division and all-region selection … Played club soccer for Las Vegas Premier ’89, which won the Nevada state title five times and advanced to the Far West Regionals … Played in the Nevada Olympic Development Program … His brother Mike currently plays for UCLA, and his late brother Joe played for Oregon State in 2002.

“Zac comes from a family rich in the tradition of soccer excellence,” Taylor said. “He has very good size and athletic ablility. Zac is strong on the ball and is capable of opening up a game with his soccer savvy.”

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