USF Men's Soccer Announces 2010 Recruiting Class

May 12, 2010

(San Francisco) - USF men's soccer announces a highly skilled group of incoming recruits for the 2010 season as released today by head coach Erik Visser. Four highly-touted newcomers have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) - 6-2 midfielder Vergard Karlsen (Bergen, Norway), 5-9 attacking midfielder Karl Krafft (Kragero, Norway), 6-7 central defender Fred Loechen (Siljan, Norway), and 6-3 goalkeeper Andrew Swope (Portland, OR), while 6-0 junior defender Kevin Orozco (La Crescenta Valley, CA/Campbell) has signed a scholarship agreement as a transfer.

In addition, the 12-time West Coast Conference champions welcome nine additional student-athletes to the roster - 5-9 defender Thomas Balisteri (Castro Valley, CA), 6-0 defender Morgan Barnes (Bakersfield, CA), 5-9 midfielder Mauricio Diaz De Leon (San Diego, CA), 6-3 defender Max Duran (Chino Hills, CA), 6-2 defender Michael Holbura (Paradise Valley, AZ), 5-11 defender Benkay Kajihara (Santa Cruz, CA), 6-1 forward Daniel O'Leary (San Francisco), 6-1 defender Kevin Porter (Escondido, CA) and 6-2 midfielder Jacob Talarman (Concord, CA).

"Obviously we lost many key contributors due to graduation," USF head coach Erik Visser said. "It is hard to replace a Conor Chinn, a Leon Williams, a Jonathan Levi, but I think as a staff we've decided to bring in a young, deep, talented squad with an eye on the future. The positions we needed to fill, we were able to do so, but we were also able to bring in some more depth which is really going to improve us in the next couple years in West Coast Conference play."

FORWARDS
DANIEL O'LEARY, 6-1, 160, Fr., Forward (San Francisco, CA/St. Ignatius Prep)
Local product helped St. Ignatius Prep to two Western Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) championships, a district championship and the 2009 North Coast Section title. In addition to competing for the Wildcats, O'Leary spent five seasons with San Francisco Chivas under head coach Jamie Friars. O'Leary helped Chivas to a fifth place showing at Nationals in 2007 and the 2006 State Championship.

Coach Visser on O'Leary: "We are very happy to keep a local player from San Francisco. Daniel definitely has some intangibles. He's fast, he's a hard worker and he has a good nose for the goal. In many ways he reminds me of a young (2004 WCC Player of the Year) Aaron Chandler. I think he's going to have a really good career at USF."

MIDFIELDERS
MAURICIO DIAZ DE LEON, 5-9, 155, Fr., Midfielder (San Diego, CA/San Diego HS)
A four-sport athlete at San Diego High School, Diaz De Leon is one of the highest ranked recruits to sign with USF Soccer and was rated No. 29 in the country for the 2010 recruiting class. A two-time adidas ESP Camp selection, De Leon scored 22 goals during his prep career with the Cavers. A two-time team MVP, Diaz De Leon was a two-time All-Eastern League First Team selection and was the Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore. Diaz De Leon helped SDHS win the Eastern League title in 2008 and the team advanced to the CIF San Diego Section Division I finals. Diaz De Leon also competed on the varsity football, swimming and volleyball squads.

Coach McKay on Diaz De Leon: "Mauricio is a highly decorated youth soccer player, who participated in the ESP program two times and was noted by Top Drawer Soccer as the No. 29 recruit in the country. Mauricio is a technical player that brings a great skill set to the attacking side of the field as well as the ability to defend. He should contribute immediately and throughout his career with the Dons."

VERGARD KARLSEN, 6-2, 180, Fr., Midfielder (Bergen, Norway)
Versatile playmaker with international club credentials, Karlsen adds strong creative and distribution skills to the Dons midfield. Karlsen played club soccer in Bergen.

Assistant Coach Dan Chamberlain on Karlsen: "Vergard is a very versatile and strong, physical presence in the middle of the field. He has the ability to play in the midfield and the back line. He has extensive youth experience from Norway from club and national team exposure. Vergard should be an impact player for the Dons."

KARL KRAFFT, 5-9, 164, Fr., Midfielder (Kragero, Norway/Toppidrettsgymnaset I Telemark)
Versatile playmaker with international club credentials, Krafft played for the ODD Grenland club team under head coach Morten Ronnigen. Grenland won third and fourth division soccer titles in Norway in 2007-08 and 2008-09. Club teammates with Don defender Fred Loechen.

Coach Visser on Krafft: "Karl Krafft is very versatile on the offensive side of the ball. He's an attacking midfielder, can play up top and he can also play wide. He can take players on and has an uncanny knack to score from the midfield position. We're very optimistic that in the next four years he can play the position effectively."

JACOB TALARMAN, 6-2, 160, Fr., Midfielder (Concord, CA/De La Salle HS)
East Bay product helped De La Salle High School to an 18-5-3 record and its third North Coast Section title in four seasons in 2009-10. A prolific goal scorer, Talarman played club soccer in the Diablo FC system under head coach Derricke Brown.

Coach McKay on Talarman: "Jacob comes to us from De La Salle High School, a prestigious athletic, academic program. Jacob has played with Diablo FC in the East Bay and is a tall, athletic player who can attack on the right and left side of the field. We look for Jacob to be a contributor on the right and left side midfield spots in his first year. He can score goals."

DEFENDERS
TOMMY BALISTRERI, 5-9, 160, Fr., Defender (Castro Valley, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS)
A three-year starter for Bishop O'Dowd High School, Balistreri earned first team all-league honors as a junior before spending his senior campaign with Mustangs of the US Soccer Development Academy. The Dragons captured two league titles and advanced to the 2009 NCS Finals. Under the guidance of head coach Carl Edwards, Balistreri helped the Mustangs to the 2009 CYSA State Cup Finals.

Coach Visser on Balistreri: "Tommy's a versatile defender who is very effective on the outside. He's quick, fast and brings great intensity to the field. He has tremendous work rate and a great attitude. I think he's one of the players who will really develop in our program in the next couple years."

MORGAN BARNES, 6-0, 160, Fr., Defender (Bakersfield, CA/Bakersfield HS)
A three-year starter for Bakersfield High School, Barnes spent his senior season competing for the US Soccer Development Academy. A three-time all-league selection, Barnes scored 20 goals with 17 assists for the Drillers. Barnes played 10 seasons in the Bakersfield Gunners club system and played for LAFC Chelsea in the Developmental Academy under head coach Josh Henderson.

Coach McKay on Barnes: "Morgan has taken his game to another level this year when he joined the LAFC Chelsea Academy team. Morgan is a strong outside defender who has the ability to get forward and contribute to the attack."

MAX DURAN, 6-3, 185, Fr., Defender (Chino Hills, CA/Ayala HS)
A decorated player at Ayala High School, Duran captured Sierra League MVP honors as a senior after earning top defensive accolades as a junior. A four-time all-league selection, Duran scored four goals with three assists in eight matches as a senior. Duran spent the last two club seasons playing for Paris Saint Germaine/Freedom FC under head coach Michael Hammond.

Coach Visser on Duran: "Max is a very talented center back that can also play at outside back. He has a great attitude and is motivated to succeed at the next level. We feel he has all of the ingredients to become a quality defender for the Dons."

MICHAEL HOLBURA, 6-2, 195, Fr., Defender (Paradise Valley, AZ/Chaparral HS)
A standout three-sport athlete, Holbura played club soccer in the Sereno SC system. Holbura gained international experience playing amateur soccer in the German SV Wehen Wiesbaden (Division I, U-17), helping the team to the Bundes Liga II Championship. Holbura participated in the FC Barcelona Elite Camp in 2008. An outstanding athlete, Holbura was named MVP of his club hockey team and as a member of the Phoenix Junior Suns basketball team, was honored as the club's best outside shooter.

Coach McKay on Holbura: "We've been watching Michael for about a year and a half now. He's a big,strong, athletic, physical presence and we look for him to impact the Dons next year. He has a lot of versatility. He should be able to score goals, defend the goal and assist into the attack as well."

BENKAY KAJIHARA, 5-11, 170, Fr., Defender (Santa Cruz, CA/Soquel HS)
A two-time league MVP at Soquel High School, Kajihara lifted the Knights into back-to-back Central Coast Section Semifinals appearances in 2009-10. Kajihara spent eight seasons competing for the Santa Cruz County Breakers under head coach Dave Siracusa. The Breakers advanced to the U-14 Super Y-League National Finals and the U-16 State Cup Semifinals.

Coach Chamberlain on Kajihara: "Benkay is another player that comes to us from one of our ID camps. He's a very talented defender who can play in the middle or out wide. He has excellent touch on the ball and is someone we expect to a very good player for the Dons."

KEVIN OROZCO, 6-0, 160, Jr., Defender (La Crescenta Valley, CA/Campbell)
A proven Division I defender, Orozco spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career competing at Campbell University. The Southern California native made an instant impact with the Camels and earned Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman and All-Academic accolades after starting all 18 matches of his freshman campaign. As a sophomore Orozco scored his first career goal - a game-winner - against North Florida (10/29/09). A three-year letter-winner at Crescenta Valley High School, Orozco spent his senior prep season competing in the US Soccer Development Academy for the Los Angeles Futbol Club.

Coach McKay on Orozco: "Kevin was on our radar as a senior in high school and spent two years at Campbell. We look for Kevin to contribute immediately in the defense. He is a very good 1v1 defender."

KEVIN PORTER, 6-1, 160, Fr., Defender (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual HS)
Porter earned three varsity letters at Escondido High School and served as team captain during a breakout senior campaign. Porter was named CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year and helped the Golden Eagles to back-to-back CIF San Diego Section titles. An excellent student, Porter was a four-time Scholar-Athlete recipient and was twice named to the San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic squads. Played nine seasons of club soccer under the direction of head coach Mike Lopez and advanced to the National Cup Finals in 2009 and 2010.

Coach Visser on Porter: "Kevin has been on our radar screen since he was a teammate of Mauricio Diaz De Leon and through our ID days. We kept monitoring him and he has really progressed and was selected as the conference player of the year. He has all of the ingredients to be a quality in the middle or the outside. He's also versatile enough that he could play in the middle of the pitch."

FRED LOECHEN, 6-7, 215, Fr., Midfielder (Siljan, Norway/Toppidrettsgymnaset I Telemark)
Strong, physical presence on the back line with international club credentials, Loechen played for the ODD Grenland club team under head coach Morten Ronnigen. Grenland won third and fourth division soccer titles in Norway in 2007-08 and 2008-09. Club teammates with Don midfielder Karl Krafft.

Coach Visser on Loechen: "We were definitely looking to strengthen out defense with size and presence and at 6-7, we expect Fred to be an immediate presence at the center back position for USF. He's very good with the ball and distributes well out of the back. Fred will be one of the immediate impact players that we need for a successful season in 2010."

GOALKEEPERS
ANDREW SWOPE, 6-3, 205, Fr., Goalkeeper (Portland, OR/Jesuit HS)
Swope turned in outstanding senior season at Portland's Jesuit High School, posting a 0.38 GAA en route to First Team All-Metro and Second Team All-State accolades. Swope was the final line of defense for the Crusaders as they captured the Metro League title in 2008 and advanced to the 2008 State Semifinals. Swope spent 11 years in the FC Portland program and played last season for head coach Rob Baarts.

Coach Visser on Swope: "Andy is a very talented goalkeeper at Jesuit High School that has a tradition of developing student-athletes for the next level. He has good physical presence and is very athletic. He has all the tools necessary to become a top Division I goalkeeper."

USF's incoming class represents outstanding achievement on the soccer field combined with academic achievement. No fewer than four student-athletes earned academic scholarships and eight own high school GPAs of 3.2 or better.

"It is important to continue to attract student-athletes with outstanding credentials in both areas," Visser said. "USF Soccer is proud of its tradition of attracting, developing and retaining individuals that excel on the pitch and in the classroom and this commitment is demonstrated once again with the 2010 class."