NAMPA, Idaho — After an inaugural season under the leadership of head coach Joel DeLass that saw the Crusaders challenge for an NCAA National Tournament berth, the Northwest Nazarene men's soccer program is re-loading with the goal of punching a post-season ticket this fall.

In his first year as NNU's head coach, DeLass guided a senior-laden NNU squad to a 9-5-4 overall record, a tie for second place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference at 6-3-3, and a remarkable 4-0-4 record in overtime matches.

But with so many experienced players moving on, coach DeLass knew a new challenge lay ahead.

Undaunted, DeLass went out and landed 12 new recruits for his Crusader program, a 2017 recruiting class that includes three transfers from four-year schools, and nine incoming freshmen.

"When you graduate 13 seniors you naturally experience a feeling of trepidation about the upcoming season, but as this class began to come together for us that feeling began to diminish," DeLass said. "In this class we have guys who have won championships at the NCAA Division I level, at major club tournaments, at state cups, and high school championships.

"On top of being very successful athletically, this class has also excelled in the classroom with multiple incomers earning 4.0 GPA's, or better, and winning numerous academic awards," NNU's second-year coach added.

Transferring to Nampa after one season at NCAA D-I Cal State Northridge is Edwin Quiroz, while Ho Cheuk Hang "Sam Ho" transfers from the NAIA's University of Cumberlands (Ky.) after one season of collegiate soccer. And set for his final season of college action is Michael Bryant, a senior transfer from NCAA D-III Elmira College (N.Y.).

Joining that trio are local star products Luis "Danny" Cuevas from Caldwell High School, Skyler Munroe from Timberline High School, and Omar Sosa from Skyview High School, younger brother of current Crusader and sophomore midfielder Cesar Sosa. All will be freshmen this fall for the Crusaders.

And the family connections continue with the addition incoming freshman Jonathan Bryant from El Toro High School in California, younger brother of senior transfer from Elmira, Michael Bryant.

Also joining NNU as freshmen are Daniel Brendel from Rodgau, Germany, Jonathan Guardado from Highland High School in California, Jake Levine from Central Valley High School in Washington, Cade Leatherman from OFL Charter Schools-Chatsworth in California, and Kaleb Rainsberry from Kamiakin High School in Washington.

"I'm very excited about this recruiting class," DeLass said. "This is our second class in a row where we've had to bring in at least 10 recruits and we really feel like this class really compliments our group of returning players. With this class we are not only bringing in guys who will have an immediate impact on our results on the field, but more importantly, every one of these guys have the type of character our program and the university are looking to attract.

"Overall, this is a class that we are very excited about and cannot wait to see how quickly, and how big of an impact they have on the pitch, in the classroom, and on our campus community," NNU's coach added.
 
Here is a look at the newest members of the Crusader men's soccer team:
DANIEL BRENDEL (ADOLF-REICHWEIN-GYMNASIUM IN HEUSENSTAMM, GERMANY)   

An incoming freshman from Rodgau, Germany, Brendel helped lead FSV Frankfurt to a third-place finish in the German Hessenliga — the highest level of soccer in the state of Hesse — and earned himself a spot on the state All-Star team Hessen.

During the 2016-17 campaign, Brendel started 24 matches as a defender, compiling the second highest minutes played on his team, and also contributed five goals. The previous season, Brendel helped lead FSV Frankfurt to a first-place finish in the Hessenliga.

"Brendel's ability to play multiple positions across the back-line is a welcomed addition to our back-line," DeLass said.

 

JONATHAN BRYANT (EL TORO HIGH SCHOOL IN LAKE FOREST, CALIF.)

A versatile midfielder from California, Bryant racked up the accolades during his senior season with the Chargers as he led them to a California Interscholastic Federation championship. Following a season where he contributed seven goals and 12 assists, Bryant was named League MVP, First-Team All-League, and Defensive Player of the Year.

At the club level, Bryant has spent time in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with Strikers Academy, United FC, and most recently with LA Premier at the Region IV Championships in Washington.

"Signing a left-footed player who can play in the midfield or back-line addresses one of the biggest needs for our program," DeLass said.
 
MICHAEL BRYANT (ELMIRA COLLEGE/EL TORO HIGH SCHOOL IN LAKE FOREST, CALIF.)

The older brother of midfielder Jonathan Bryant, Michael is a 2013 graduate of El Toro HS in California who played three seasons for the Soaring Eagles at the NCAA Division III level in New York, redshirting in 2014.

A two-time NSCAA D-III All-East Region selection, Bryant compiled 31 goals and seven assists during his three seasons with Elmira. The prolific forward leaves Elmira ranking sixth in program history in both career goals and points.

In 2016 Bryant earned his second All-East Region selection, Eastern College Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors, and represented NCAA team USA in Brazil last month.

"Michael's experience and goal-scoring ability makes him an exciting addition to what will be a very young Crusaders team this fall," DeLass said.
 
LUIS "DANNY" CUEVAS (CALDWELL HIGH SCHOOL IN CALDWELL, IDAHO)

A defender from Caldwell High, Cuevas earned 4A All-State Player of the Year honors as he anchored a back-line that lead Caldwell to 10 shutouts in 20 games. During the 2016 campaign, the local star was also voted 4A Southern Idaho Conference Conference Player of the Year and Idaho Press-Tribune Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year.

At the club level, Cuevas brought a big presence to the pitch where he captained the '98 Boise Nationals Timbers team to multiple Idaho State Championships.

"Cuevas is a natural leader with an extremely high work rate who will add immediate depth to our back-line," NNU's coach said.
 


JONATHAN GUARDADO (HIGHLAND HIGH SHOOL IN PALMDALE, CALIF.)

Guardado is a left-footed forward who played in 23 games during the 2015-16 season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for Real So Cal, and most recently returned to LA Premier as they represented Cal South at the Region IV Championships.

"Jonathan is a pacey, technical player," DeLass said. "Guardado is a natural goal scorer who makes our attack even deeper."
 






"SAM HO" CHEUK HANG (UNIVERSITY OF CUMBERLANDS & FROM HONG KONG, CHINA)

A transfer from the University of Cumberlands (Ky.), Ho had a very successful freshman campaign in the midfield where he played in 17 matches, started 13, and assisted on two goals.

An international student from Hong Kong, Ho is currently training with the U-23 Hong Kong National Team this summer as he prepares for the upcoming season at NNU.

"Ho is a technical midfielder with a great engine and should fit in very well with the returning midfielders on our roster," DeLass said.
 



CADE LEATHERMAN (OFL CHARTER SCHOOLS – CHATSWORTH IN CHATSWORTH, CALIF.)

A goalkeeper from Simi Valley, Calif., Leatherman anchored one of the most successful non-academy club teams in California at his age group. During his time in goal for LA Premier, the team won multiple State Championships, Disney Soccer Tournament, National Cup Champions, US Club Soccer Nationals, and multiple West Coast Soccer Premier League championships.

LA Premier's success earned them an invite to train with Real Madrid F.C. during the summer of 2016.





 
JAKE LEVINE (CENTRAL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL IN SPOKANE VALLEY, WASH.)

A forward from Greenacres, Wash., Levine scored 21 goals and assisted on 11 others during his senior campaign to earn First-Team All-Greater Spokane League honors, helping lead Central Valley to the Washington State 4A state semifinals.

While a prolific goal scorer on the field, who also played club soccer for the Spokane Shadow Sounders, Levine is a star student as well as he is a four-year member of the National Honor Society.

"Jake is a hardworking, natural goal scorer," DeLass said. "Levine will be a much welcomed addition to our attack."
 
SKYLER MUNROE (TIMBERLINE HIGH SCHOOL IN BOISE, IDAHO) 

A First-Team All-State selection at forward from Timberline High, Munroe is one of the fastest players in Idaho which helped him score 23 goals and add 10 assists as he led Timberline to back-to-back Idaho 5A State soccer titles.

His speed and goal-scoring ability has also had an impact for his Idaho Rush club team as he helped lead them to the Idaho State Cup Championship.

"In Munroe, we found a player that should replace the speed that we graduated from our attack," DeLass said.
 




EDWIN QUIROZ (CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE/EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL IN LANCASTER, CALIF.)

Quiroz is a midfielder who transfers from NCAA D-I Cal State Northridge after one season with the Matadors where he garnered All-Freshman Team honors in the Big West Conference.

Quiroz appeared in all 21 games for CSUN, starting 15, and scored two goals and assisted on another. In the Big West semifinal match, Quiroz scored the game-tying goal to send CSUN to the conference championship match where the Matadors went on to defeat Cal State Fullerton and earn a berth to the NCAA Division I National Tournament.

"Edwin is a very technical player who fits in well with our possession style of play and should make an immediate impact for us this fall," DeLass said.
 


KALEB RAINSBERRY (KAMIAKIN HIGH SCHOOL IN KENNEWICK, WASH.)

A multi-sport athlete for Kamiakin High School, Rainsberry's senior season saw him garner Second-Team All-Mid-Columbia Conference honors as a midfielder.

Not only has Rainsberry — who also competed on the wrestling team for the Braves and played club soccer for the PSPL Surf Academy — experienced a successful athletic career, but his excellence academically earned him the National Scholar Athlete Awarded by the US Army Reserves, and helped him become a member of National Honor Society.

"Rainsberry's success on the pitch and in the classroom embodies the type of student-athlete the NNU men's soccer program is trying to recruit," DeLass said.

OMAR SOSA (SKYVIEW HIGH SCHOOL IN NAMPA, IDAHO)

A Caldwell, Idaho, native who played midfielder for the Hawks at Nampa's Skyview High, Sosa is the younger brother of current Crusader, Cesar Sosa. Omar looks to follow in the footsteps of his older brother and find a way to make an immediate impact on the program.

During his senior year at Skyview, Sosa — who also played club soccer for the Boise Nationals Timbers — helped lead the team to the 4A Idaho State Soccer Championship.

"Omar is an extremely versatile player who will add much-needed depth to the midfield or front-line," DeLass said.