The Oregon State men’s soccer team welcomed a group of outstanding players into the program this week, as six players joined the program as part of the 2016 signing class, head coach Steve Simmons announced today. Eric Diaz-Guttierez, Zach Dickey, Brady Graff, AJ Hurtado, Jaime Mirrales and Frazer Poulter will all join the Beavers for the 2016 season.

“To be certain, this incoming class will help continue the momentum we’ve built over the past few years,” Simmons said. “With a maturing group of returners, we were particular with the talent that fits our needs. The coaching staff did well to evaluate and identify players from across the country. We look forward to working with these young men in the future.”

Diaz-Gutierrez comes to Oregon State from Woodburn, Ore., and was part of the ODP program for three years, finishing with the third-highest scoring total at the Regional Championships in his last season. He also played for the Portland Timbers Academy for two years and for FC Portland for one year, helping the team make it to US Club Nationals. Diaz-Gutierrez was part of two State Cup winning teams, one with FC Portland and the other with OSSA.

“Eric has been a mainstay at right back for the Timbers Academy over the past few seasons,” Simmons said. “He’s well balanced as a good 1v1 defender and a solid attacking option from wide areas.”

Diaz-Gutierrez played his sophomore year at Woodburn High School, scoring 13 goals, including two hat tricks. He also excelled in the classroom, making the honor roll in his junior year.

Dickey joins the Beavers from Frisco, Texas. The goalkeeper has seen time with the Dallas Texans and Solar Chelsea club teams. He was part of the Solar Chelsea US Soccer Federation U-18 Academy in 2015, as well as the U-16 Academy in 2014. Dickey also played in Solar Chelsea’s Pre-Academy in 2013.

“As a goalkeeper, Zach’s size and physical range give him a tremendous foundation on which to build,” Simmons said. “His work ethic and attitude will help increase his learning curve as a Pac-12 goalkeeper. It’s a bonus that he’s able to join us in the winter quarter to get a head start.”

Dickey played for Wakeland High School in Frisco. He led his team to a second-place finish in the state in 2013 and a regional title in 2012. An imposing force in the goal, Dickey stands 6-foot-5.

Graff enters the Oregon State program from Anchorage, Alaska. The defender played for Cook Inlet Soccer Club in the Last Frontier, where he helped his team earn a Region 4 President’s Cup. Graff proved his offensive ability at that tournament, scoring three goals in four games, including two in the final while playing as a centerback. He also helped Cook Inlet win the United Cup and Oswego Cup in his time with the club.

“Brady is a very good athlete who shows tremendous positional versatility,” Simmons said. “We’ve had a chance to track him over the past few years and his trajectory continues to be positive. We’re excited to have another player represent the state of Alaska.”

Graff played both soccer and hockey at Robert Service High School. He earned All-Conference honors twice as part of the soccer team, scoring six goals and recording 13 assists in his junior campaign. Graff won the Coach’s Award for soccer in 2014.

Hurtado comes to Oregon State from Broomfield, Colo., where he spent five years playing in the Colorado Rapids system. The defender has become a team captain for the Rapids U-18 squad, after starting every game with the U-16 team last year. Hurtado has proven to be not only a solid defender, but a threat going forward as well, scoring from his left-back position at both the U-16 and U-18 levels.

“AJ is a key player on his Colorado Rapids academy team,” Simmons said. “His positional versatility along with his overall soccer IQ will help him challenge for time immediately. It’s good to keep the pipeline of successful Colorado players we’ve had here at OSU.”

Hurtado also played alongside current Oregon State freshman Nathan Braaten with the Rapids. Hurtado will graduate from Legacy High School this spring, after earning All-Conference honors there in 2014.

Miralles joins the Beavers as a transfer from the University of Vermont. He helped the Catamounts to an American East Conference title last season, as well an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The midfielder made 20 appearances and 14 starts in 2015, including one against Oregon State on Sept. 4. Miralles also played in 17 games during his freshman year, tallying three assists.

“Jaime transfers to us as one of the top midfielders in the America East Conference,” Simmons said. “Along with his pedigree from the Villarreal Academy in Spain, his ability to make special plays in the attack and provide tenacity on the defending side of the ball will complement our midfield.”

Miralles, who grew up in Vinaros, Spain, played 10 years with the Villarreal Youth Academy. He scored 12 goals and recorded 10 assists in the U-16 Autonomic League Championship in 2013, and played in the Premier League International Tournament in 2010.

Poulter comes to Oregon State from Vancouver, B.C., and was born in Berkshire, England. He has been with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency since 2014, helping the club reach the quarterfinals of the USSDA in the 2014-15 season. Poulter scored five goals with Mountain United in the 2013-14 season, and captained Mountain FC in 2013-14.

“Frazer is a cultured defender who brings a wherewithal in his approach,” Simmons said. “As a mainstay with the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, he is a natural in his ability to command those around him and bring a defending unit together.”

One of Poulter’s biggest thrills in soccer was playing against the Leicester City FC Academy while he was playing with Peterborough. He will graduate from Burnaby Central Secondary School this spring.