Fresno State Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces 2000 Recruiting Class
3/29/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
March 29, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldogs signed a seven-man 2000 recruiting class boasting two National Team players and top national recruits Raul Rivera (Tulare, Calif.) and Andreas Lindstrom (Odakra, Sweden).
Freshman forward, Rivera, a top 18 individual recruit from the U.S., is a two-time Parade All-American, three-time U.S. National Youth (U14-U17) Team member and East Yosemite League MVP.
"Raul has the physical explosiveness and technical ability with the ball to immediately impact our goal-scoring production. He is a product of the Central Valley youth soccer system and has proven his ability while competing for our full National Youth Team for three years. Raul will complement our team's ability to keep possession by providing a constant danger to the opposing defenders. He is disciplined and ambitious. He is a tremendous addition to the current talented pool of attacking players," head coach Dave Chesler said.
Defender Andreas Lindstrom comes to the Bulldogs as a sophomore after competing at Florida International University in Miami, Fla. He was a four-time Sweden National Youth Team member ranked as one of the top 18 individual players in Sweden.
"Andreas is an aggressive defender and is a very composed player in possession of the ball. The 21-year-old central defender will bring a tremendous amount of experience to the defensive structure of our team. In his native Sweden he played at the highest level in a defensive system very similar to the one utilized at Fresno State. One of the things that attracted Andreas was our system for zonal defending. I feel that he has the leadership potential to be a stabilizing and confident force in our team," Chesler said.
Freshman defender Justin Sorsabal (Palmdale, Calif.) is a three-time All-Conference player, 1996 and 1999 Offensive Player of the Year while competing at Quartz Hill high school. He was also a two-time team captain starting all four years. Sorsabal spend time in Europe during 1999 returning to compete in the L.A. Amateur Premier League.
"Justin is a very quick and decisive player. He will be a strong contender for a starting position defensively in midfield where we can best use his mobility and technical strength on the ball. He may also be considered at the back where his quickness and ability to anticipate the opponents attack may be highlighted. Justin has experience well beyond most entering freshman," Chesler said.
Freshman midfielder Scott Scigliano (San Jose, Calif.) earned two-time all conference accolades and 1999 MVP honors while competing at Live Oaks high school helping his team to three league championships. In 1998 Scigliano was earned All-Selection honors for CCS Northern California.
"Scott is a very mobile and ambitious attacking flank player. He has the ability to serve quality crosses at full pace from the left flank. His attacking and defending strengths are versatile enough that he may be used as either a pure wing forward or as a wide midfielder. He has the athleticism and ambition to get up and down the wing channel. This is an area that will strengthen and increase the diversity of our attacking system," Chesler said.
Freshman defender Matt Elston (Mission Viejo, Calif.) was a three-time team captain, 1998 team MVP and an all-conference pick while playing for Mission Viejo high school.
"Matt will be an outstanding wide defender at the college level. He has excellent pace and mobility. His aggressive and confident playing style will have an immediate impact in our defensive scheme. I fully expect Matt to play a significant role in his first season," Chesler said.
Freshman forward Tim Metzger (North Huntington Beach, S.C.) came to Fresno State as a redshirt freshman from Florida International University after being a 1999 Bulldog recruit.
"Tim's major assets are his quickness and technical ability with the ball. Time is outstanding with the ball on his left foot. He has validated my recruiting choice this spring by demonstrating his ability to shoot and score goals in training. His preparation of the ball and his outstanding service from the left wing will be a major asset to this team," Chesler said.
Junior midfielder Lee Price (San Ramon, Calif.) transfers to Fresno State after two seasons at Ohlone Junior College in Fremont, Calif. He earned team Offensive Player of the Year in 1999 and first team All-Coast Conference accolades as well as All-Far West Region in the 1999-00 season.
"Lee is a strong player physically. He is a mobile midfield player who has demonstrated the ability to set the temp of the game from a midfield position. I look forward to the positive outcome that his experience and confident demeanor are likely to produce," Chesler said.
