UC Santa Barbara - Five Star Class Ranking -  Tim Vom Steeg leaned heavily upon the junior college ranks to attract a recruiting class to UC Santa Barbara that he likely hopes will be able to immediately plug some of the gaps that hampered the Gaucho’s productivity last year.  In particular, the Gauchos need help on the defensive side of the ball to shore up a rather porous defense that allowed opponents to score a total of thirty-nine goals in 2008.  Five of UCSB’s thirteen member recruiting class are experienced players from junior colleges.  Vom Steeg stated, “We went heavy into the junior college ranks to find players who are playing at a high level, have a lot of big-game experience and who we feel can step in and play for us right away.”  UCSB finished the 2008 season with a 10-7-5 overall record and earned their seventh consecutive NCAA Tourney but the fact that they were winless in their last six contests signals that the status quo is not acceptable if the Gauchos hope to continue the level of success that is currently associated with the program. 

 

Evan McNeil - Castaic, California - Defender - Yavapai College - Member Region IV ODP team - Helped Yavapai claim two national championships - Played with Arsenal Soccer Club - Member Cal South ODP

 

Chris Hunter - Durango, Colorado - Defender - Yavapai College - From South Shields, England - 2008 NJCAA All-Region Team - Very tenacious center back - A ball winner  in the air. 

 

Sam Hayden - Jackson, Wyoming - Goalkeeper - Yavapai College - Jackson High School - Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year - Two-time NJCAA Goalkeeper of the Year - Three-time All-State selection.

 

Taylor Rivas - Lancaster, California - Defender - Taft Community College - Lancaster High School -  First Team All-Central Valley Conference - Central Valley Conference MVP

 

Waid Ibrahim - Accra, Ghana - Forward - Santa Barbara City College -  Dunn School - Two-time CIF Offensive Player of the Year - All-Western State Conference selection at Santa Barbara City College.

 

Christian Ramirez - Garden Grove, California - Midfielder - Member Cal South and Region IV ODP teams - Played club for highly competitive San Diego Surf - Won 2008 ODP Golden Boot Award.

 

Nic Ryan - San Jose, California - Midfielder - Branham High School - Cal North and Region IV ODP Team member - Played club for San Juan Lighting - U.S. U-18 National Team pool player.  Very savvy player.

 

Robbie Boyd - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Midfielder/Forward - Marquette University High School - NSCAA High School All-American - Wisconsin Player of the Year - Played club for Chicago Magic. 

 

Russell Jackson - Midfielder - Thousand Oaks High School - Cal South and Region IV ODP team member - Played club for Real SoCal - Very dangerous with the ball at his feet in the attacking third.

 

Robert Hoyle - Hull, England - Defender - E. Riding School - Member of England's U-18 International School Boys Squad in 2008 - Captain 2008 Regional Team - An impact player with great potential.

 

Michael Nonni - West Vancouver, British Columbia - Forward - Played at the Canadian National Team Training Centre - Played with the Vancouver Selects - Tough to contain in the attacking third.

 

Josue Madueno - Castroville, California - Midfielder - Pajaro Valley High School - Played for U-18 Santa Cruz County Breakers.  Quick with excellent touch on the ball.

 

Stephen Boyle - Phoenix, Arizona - Defender - Barry Goldwater High School - Member Arizona ODP Team - Played with S.C. Del Sol and Sereno Soccer Clubs.

Notre Dame - Four Star Class Ranking - Bobby Clark brings in another very athletic, versatile, and soccer savvy class that should easily fit into the Notre Dame system of play.  The five member Irish recruiting class has an impressive background of competitive club and ODP play.  Notre Dame was 12-7-2 overall last year and earned their 8th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tourney which equals the number of years that Clark has been in South Bend.  Bright Dike (12g, 5a) returns up-top to power  the attack.   The graduation of defenders Matt Besler and Jack Traynor must be addressed in 2009 but the Irish clearly reload rather than rebuild under Clark. 

 

Bob Novak - Homer Glen, Illinois - Midfielder - Lockport Township High School - Played club for the Chicago Magic - Region II pool team member - Member Illinois ODP team - Great work ethic.

 

Danny O’Leary - Naperville, Illinois - Midfielder - Neuqua Valley High School - Played for Chicago Fire Academy and Sockers FC Chicago Academy - Member Region II and Illinois ODP teams - Strong athlete.

 

Dillon Powers - Plano, Texas - Midfielder - Plano Senior High - Played for Andromeda SC - Member U.S. U-18 National Team -  NSCAA Youth All-American - ESP participant - ODP Region III and State player.

 

Kyle Richard - Louisville, Kentucky - Midfielder - Saint Xavier  High School - Member Region II and Kentucky ODP teams - Played for United 1996 FC - Plenty of competitive club experience - Great potential.

 

Grant Van De Casteele - Plano, Texas - Defender - Frisco Centennial - Played for Andromeda SC - Has plenty of high level competitive experience under his belt - Good size and touch on the ball.