Beavers Sign 10 for Class of 2015
CORVALLIS – The Oregon State men’s soccer team has locked down commitments from 10 promising young soccer players, head coach Steve Simmons announced today. The group of signees will look the help the Beavers build on their historic 2014 season, as the team prepares for an exciting year ahead.
Dylan Waugman, Carter Auth, Nathan Braaten, Nicholas Ballenger, Don Tchilao, David Brown, Hassani Dotson, Christian Lucatero and Evan Sungvornrajasabh will all join the Oregon State squad for training this summer. John Chambers is currently enrolled at OSU this winter term.
“To be certain, I’m thrilled to announce this incoming class,” said Oregon State head coach Steve Simmons. “With a very strong returning group, we felt it was necessary to be very particular with the talent that fits our special culture. The coaching staff was superb to find these young men who check all the boxes. We’ve been in the process with some players for quite some time, and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. We welcome this class to our family and Beaver Nation.”
Waugman helped the 96 South Texas ODP team to a South Texas State Cup as team captain in 2013-14, and led the squad to a top-8 finish in the 2014 Region III Tournament. He also played for the Texas Rush Academy in 2014-15.
“Dylan has tremendous versatility in the backline,” Simmons said. “As a centerback he does well to contain forwards and as an outside back can shut down wide attackers. His competitive nature will serve us well.”
Waugman earned second-team all-state and first team all-region honors in his junior season at Friendswood High School. He also earned all-district honors as a sophomore and led the team to a third-place finish in the state his freshman year.
Auth spent time with the Colorado Rush, working in their U16 Developmental Academy in 2013-14, before moving on to their U18 Academy in 2014-15. He helped the U16 squad to a third-place finish in the Central Conference/Frontier Division, posting seven shutouts in 17 games.
“As a goalkeeper, Carter is a solid shot stopper with quick reactions,” Simmons said. “His change of direction is superb and has the ability to make the big saves when necessary. He will help raise the level of our goalkeeping group.”
At Mountain Vista High School, Auth was a second-team all-league honoree and saw action in the 5A All-State game. He started for his varsity team as a sophomore.
Braaten has been invited to three US National Training Camp centers and was selected to play two years in a row for the id2 National Identification program, helping his team to the International Bracket of the 2014 Generation Adidas Cup. He has been called up to play games with the Colorado Rapids Reserves and has spent time with Real Colorado as well as the Rapids Development Academy.
“Nathan is a versatile attacking player who can play forward in a two striker system or outside midfield, in a playmaking role,” Simmons said. “His high work rate will help us on both sides of the ball.”
Braaten started all 17 games for Thunder Ridge High School in his freshman season, scoring eight goals to help his team to its first ever conference title.
Ballenger spent 2014 with the Portland Timbers U17/18 Academy. Prior to that he played with CFC Boca Juniors (gold) from 2008-13, helping the team to OYSA State titles each year. The team was also a Far West Regional finalist in 2013. Ballenger was selected for the 2011 U14 State Pool ODP.
“Nick is a good athlete who can play in various positions,” Simmons said. “I can see him challenging at the outside back position for years to come. His versatility will be a real asset.”
Ballenger was a first team all-conference honoree at West Salem High School in 2012, leading the squad to a conference title.
Tchilao has been the leading scorer for San Tan Legacy in each of his three seasons with the club. He tallied 32 goals and 14 assists in his first season, 28 goals and 11 assists in his second season, and has already recorded 18 goals this year. He has helped his team to a pair of state-cup semifinal appearances, and was the leading scorer in the 2014 President’s Day College Showcase.
“Don has all the characteristics of an Oregon State forward,” Simmons said. “He has speed, acceleration, strength and a knack for goal. His ability to run at defenders will be an asset against very good Pac-12 defenders. He could be one of the best non-Academy strikers in the country.”
Tchilao set the Chandler High School record with 22 goals this season, as well as the state record with nine goals in a single game. He was also named a team captain for his junior and senior seasons.
Chambers has helped CFC Boca Juniors to six state titles, and a Far West Regional Final appearance in 2013. He was also selected to the Timbers Academy in the 2013-14 season.
“John is an athletic defender who can track down attackers over distance in defensive transition.” Simmons said. “His size and mobility will be an asset as he competes in the PAC-12. John will make significant gains starting his OSU career this winter term.”
Chambers was first time all-league in his senior season at Sprague High School, and second team all-league in his freshman campaign.
Brown has extensive experience with the Houston Dynamo Academy as well as the Dallas Texans club system. He was invited to play in international friendlies against Chivas, Tecos and Chiapas while with the Dynamo Academy. He was the 2014 Dynamo Alumni Cup Man of the Match.
“David is one of the better youth left backs in the country.” Simmons said. “He is a strong 1v1 defender and can get forward to help in the attack. His cultured left foot provides a wide variety of passing ranges.”
Brown also helped Dallas Texans win the U13 Tivoli Cup and make the semi-finals of the Gothia Cup while playing as a guest-player.
Dotson played a year and a half for Crossfire Premier, seeing time at centerback and as a central midfielder. He is a team captain, and has started 50 out of 52 games for the team, scoring nine goals and notching 31 assists.
“Hassani has shown the ability to play in the central midfield in the very competitive academy league,” Simmons said. “Additionally, he has the speed and power to cover ground in the midfield to break up play and generate attacks.”
Dotson was also a team captain at Todd Beamer High School as a sophomore, recording 11 goals and 18 assists.
Lucatero has been a US National Team player since 2011, and was the Houston Dynamo Academy Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014, as well as a 2014 All-American.
“Christian is one of the top attacking midfielders in the country.” Simmons said. “He’s excelled at the academy and US National Team levels. His vision and ability to make special plays that creates chances will help take our attack to the next level.”
Lucatero has scored more than 20 goals and notched more than 20 assists over the last two seasons.
Sungvornrajasabh currently plays for the Arsenal FC Academy U18 and has recorded three goals so far this season, playing in the midfield and as a forward. He competed in the Nike Manchester United Cup in 2012, as well as the 2012 Far West Regionals.
“Evan was discovered at our Advanced Camp last July,” Simmons said. “He is a complete central midfielder who is good on the ball under pressure and can help sustain good possession. He will bolster an already competitive central midfield.”
Sungvornrajasabh was also the 2014 Oregon State Elite Camp MVP.
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