Simon Fraser Unanimous Favorites To Repeat As GNAC Champions

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1 Aug. 17, 2017 Contact: Rhys Lendio, Media Relations Assistant Simon Fraser Unanimous Favorites To Repeat As GNAC Champions PORTLAND, Ore. Coming off its second conference title in four years, Simon Fraser stands as unanimous favorites to repeat as GNAC champions in the 2017 Preseason Men s Soccer Coaches Poll. Simon Fraser received all seven first-place votes as the Clan compete for their fifth conference title in their eighth season as GNAC members. Western Washington, fresh off its first NCAA Tournament appearance, was picked second with 39 points. Montana State Billings was picked third (31 pts.) followed by Northwest Nazarene (28 pts.), Seattle Pacific (26 pts.), Saint Martin s (13 pts.) and Concordia (10 pts.) GNAC Preseason Men s Soccer Coaches Poll Team (1st Place Votes) 2016 Record (Finish) Pts. 1. Simon Fraser (7) 2. Western Washington 3. MSU Billings 4. Northwest Nazarene 5. Seattle Pacific 6. Saint Martin s 7. Concordia (9-1-2, 1st) (6-3-3, Tie 2nd) (5-4-3, 4th) (6-3-3, Tie 2nd) (4-4-4, 5th) (2-9-1, 6th) (1-9-2, 7th) Votes awarded on basis. The Clan led all teams in goals, assists and fewest goals allowed in conference play. Finishing with a GNAC record, Simon Fraser outshot opponents by a margin and scored 2.36 goals per game, 1.77 higher than the league average. Last year marked the fifth time Simon Fraser has captured the GNAC championship since joining the conference in The Clan s only regular season loss was a 1-0 setback at Western Washington on Nov. 3. Despite losing goalkeeper Brandon Watson, who ranks second in GNAC history with a 0.75 goals against average, the Clan return the GNAC and D2CCA West Region Player of the Year midfielder Adam Jones and GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Magnus Kristensen. Currently seventh on the career list with 1.46 goals per game, Jones, notched a team-high 10 goals for a SFU squad that outscored its conference opponents Along with earning NSCAA and D2CCA honors last season, Kristensen tallied three goals and one assist. Midfielder Mamadi Camara comes back after receiving First Team All-GNAC and NSCAA All-West Region honors. GNAC Freshman of the Year forward Riley Pang is accompanied by junior midfielder Kyle Jones and senior defender Pascal Schmidt to a team that lost six starters, three of which helped the Clan maintain a league-leading 0.75 goals against percentage. Finishing in seventh place just two years ago, Western Washington finds itself ranked right behind Simon Fraser, taking a majority of the second-place votes. The Vikings ended 2016 with a conference record and rode a six-game unbeaten streak into its first Division II Men s Soccer Tournament appearance, where they defeated Dixie State in the first round. Two of the four Vikings who netted NSCAA All-West Region Honors last year return for their senior seasons. Forward Anthony Dean netted eight goals while goalkeeper Tyler Visten recorded seven shutouts. Visten sits at No. 12 in the GNAC Men s Soccer Record Book with a 1.21 goals against average. First Team All-GNAC honoree Luke Olney also returns for his senior season after recording three goals and one assist for the Vikings. Western Washington returns 10 starters, five of which played for the team s solid defensive core. All five made at least 18 appearances during the campaign for a squad that allowed just 19 goals and recorded a 0.94 goals against average all season. The league s fourth place team in 2016, Montana State Billings, snags third place in the coaches poll with 31 points. The Yellowjackets ranked second in the GNAC with 27 goals and 25 assists. - MORE -

2 Montana State Billings returns 16 letterwinners, seven of which were starters for fifth year head coach Alex Balog. The West Region s leading goal scorer two years ago, Ricardo Palomino, returns for his senior campaign while Second Team All-GNAC defender Oliver Posarelli comes back after a stellar inaugural season. Balog also brings in six freshmen and three transfers to an improved Yellowjacket s squad. Ending the season tied for second with WWU, Northwest Nazarene has finished in the top three in each of the last three years. With the loss of seven starters to open the 2017 campaign, NNU takes fourth in the coaches poll. The Crusaders return sophomore First Team-All GNAC defender Linus Mansson along with junior forward Logan Wood. Wood tallied a joint teamhigh five goals and two assists in just nine starts. Northwest Nazarene lose goalkeeper Ryan Foo and defender Steven Garcia, who both played a crucial role in NNU s league-leading efforts in saves and shutouts. Seattle Pacific suffered its lowest GNAC finish in program history after ending in fifth place with a record. Winning the conference championship just two years ago, SPU look to rely on midfielder Jess Cayetano and forward Gabe Kellum for quality offensive output in Along with two starting defenders not returning, the Falcons also lose goalkeeper Cody Lang, who sits third all-time in goals against average (0.80) for the GNAC. Ryan Higgins, Julian White and Luke Postma all return as starting defensemen. After a season that saw Saint Martin s conclude in conference play, the Saints return seven starters, most notably senior forward Kyle Witzel, who finished tied for second with nine conference goals a year ago. Saint Martin s also bring back midfielder Christian Caro, midfielder Joey Mack, forward McKray Kohn, defender Tim Teipel and defender Austin Yon for their senior years. Head coach Rob Walker will take over the men s program full time after coaching both the men s and women s team for the past 11 years. Walker managed 52 wins with the men s program during that stretch. Concordia rounds out the voting after finishing in its second year of GNAC participation. The Cavaliers will compete in its first year as full Division II members in Concordia lose leading goal scorer Matt Paine, but return a trio of starting sophomores (forward Christian Thyron, forward Essam Nicola, forward Kieran McMinn) who recorded a combined total of seven goals and seven assists. All seven GNAC teams begin regular season action on August 31 against non-conference opponents. Northwest Nazarene travels to Montana State Billings on Sep. 21 to open GNAC play, followed by Saint Martin s at Western Washington and Simon Fraser at Seattle Pacific. Concordia begins its conference slate on Sep. 23 at MSUB. Team Capsules On Following Pages

3 2017 GNAC Men s Soccer Teams At A Glance CONCORDIA Head Coach: Dan Birkey (Warner Pacific, 1979, , 30th Season) Assistant Coaches: Andy Duvall, Jeremiah Doyle 2016 Overall Record: Conference: (7th) Letterwinners Returning: 13 Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5 Returning Starters: Christian Thyron (F, So., 4 Goals, 2 Assists), Essam Nicola (F, So., 3 Goals, 1 Assist), Kieran McMinn (F, So., 1 Goal, 4 Assists), Abdiel Morfin (D, Sr., 1 Goal, 2 Assists), Alec Lohr (D, Sr., 12 Starts), Grant Alcorn (GK, Jr., 51 Saves, 2 Shutouts, 2.44 GAA). Other Key Returners: Todd Gibbs (D, So., 7 Starts), Brady Sanders (M, Sr., 10 Starts). Key Losses: Billy Fleury (D), Jordan Potts (M), Erick Urzua (M), Matt Paine (F). Key Freshmen: Matthew Cunningham (F, 5-9, Newtownards, Northern Ireland Newtonards), Foster Gbogbo (M, 5-8, Las Cruces, N.M. Centennial), Paul Seydel (F, 5-8, Portland, Ore. Lakeridge), Pablo Monterosso (F, 6-0, Hillsboro, Ore. Century), Santeri Ihamuotila (M/F, 6-0, Espoo, Finland), Noah Swigart (F, R-Fr., 6-1, Portland, Ore. Sunset), Lewis Coates (F, Fr., Leicester, England Sunset, Portland, Ore.). Key Transfers: Fernando Herrera (D, Jr., Fremont, Calif. Las Positas CC), Conrad Gooley (D, Jr., Lismore, Australia Feather River CC), Michael Hatch (M, So., Visalia, Calif. Las Positas CC). MONTANA STATE BILLINGS Head Coach: Alex Balog (Christian Brothers, 2007, , 5th Season) Associate Head Coach: Thomas Chameraud Assistant Coaches: Kyle Emerick, Fernando Perez 2016 Overall Record: Conference: (4th) Letterwinners Returning: 16 Starters Returning/Lost: 7/6 Returning Starters: Oliver Posarelli (D, So., Second Team All-GNAC, 3 Goals, 2 Assists), Guillaume Kremer (M, Jr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 1 Goal, 6 Assists), Tom Lohmann (GK, Sr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC in 2015, 17 Saves, 1.00 GAA), Ricardo Palomino (F, Sr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 6 Goals, 2 Assists), Niklas Schregel (M, Sr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 2 Goals), Rhys Lambert (M, Sr., Second Team All-GNAC in 2014), Eli Williams (D, Sr., 1 Assist). Other Key Returners: JD Hauenstein (F, So., Honorable Mention Al-GNAC, 4 Goals, 3 Assists), Ian Bream (M, So., 2 Goals, 1 Assist), Adam Hepburn (M, Jr., 2 Assists), Chad Triplett (D, So., 1 Goal, 7 Starts). Key Losses: Garret Robinson (D), Julien Dragomir (F), Thiago Novis (F). Key Freshmen: Luca Battistotti (D, 5-9, San Rocco al Porto, Italy Liceo Scientifico Melchiorre Gioia), Shantik Bedrosian (F, 5-7, Doetinchem, Netherlands Het Ulenhof), Agust Hallsson (F, 6-1, Reykjavik, Iceland Borgarholtsskoli), Javier Hernandez (GK, 5-8, Pittsburg, Calif. Pittsburg), Kyle Kellogg (GK, 6-2, Roseville, Calif. Roseville), Guillaume Marneau (M, 5-11, Lake Forest, Calif. El Toro). Key Transfers: Dana Kowachek (M, Jr., Missoula, Mont. Fort Lewis Coll.), Sam Phillips (M, So., Bozeman, Mont. Humboldt State Univ.), Christian Thode (M, Jr., Stanwood, Wash. Skagit Valley CC). NORTHWEST NAZARENE Head Coach: Joel DeLass (Wheaton (Ill.), 2008, 9-5-4, 2nd Season) Assistant Coaches: Shane Watts, Dane Manley 2016 Overall Record: Conference: (Tie 2nd) Letterwinners Returning: 14 Starters Returning/Lost: 6/7 Returning Starters: Linus Mansson (D, So., First Team All-GNAC, 1 Goal, 5 Assists), Logan Wood (F, Jr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 5 Goals, 2 Assist), Alex Mitrovic (M, Jr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 4 Goals, 3 Assists), Linus Seino (D, So., Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 13 Starts), Keon Jones (F, Sr., 1 Goal, 1 Assist), Keith Fujita (F, Sr., 8 Starts). Other Key Returners: Rafael Junquiera (F, So., 3 Goals), Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz (M/F, So., 5 Starts), Cesar Sosa (M, So., 542 Minutes). Key Losses: Ryan Foo (GK), Steven Garcia (D), Rene Duevel (D/M), Dennis Vivar-Diaz (M), Ebu Camara (F), Michael Mollay (F), Fernando Alvarez (F). Key Freshmen: Daniel Brendel (D, Huesenstamm, Germany Adolf-Reichwein-Gymnasium), Jonathan Bryant (D, Lake Forest, Calif. El Toro), Luis Cuevas (Caldwell, Idaho Caldwell), Jonathan Guardado (F, Palmdale, Calif. Highland), Cade Leatherman (GK, Chatsworth, Calif. OFL Charter Schools-Chatsworth), Jake Levine (F, Spokane Valley, Wash. Central Valley), Skyler Munroe (F, Boise, Idaho Timberline), Kaleb Rainsberry (M, Kennewish, Wash. Kamiakin), Omar Sosa (M, Nampa, Idaho Skyview). Key Transfers: Michael Bryant (M, Sr., Lake Forest, Calif. Elmira Coll. (N.Y.)), Sam Ho (M, So., Hong Kong, China Univ. of the Cumberlands (Ky.)), Edwin Quiroz (M, So., Lancaster, Calif. Cal State Northridge).

4 SAINT MARTIN S Head Coach: Rob Walker, Saint Martin s 1987 ( , 11th Season) Assistant Coaches: Brandon Scott 2016 Overall Record: Conference: (6th) Letterwinners Returning: 18 Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4 Returning Starters: Kyle Witzel (F, Sr., Second Team All-GNAC, 11 Goals, 2 Assists), Christian Caro (M, Sr., 3 Assists), Steven Chu (M Jr., 1 Assist), Mamadou Leigh (M, Jr., 1 Assist), Joey Mack (M, Sr., 1 Assist, 10 Starts), Sebastian Navarro (D, So., 3 Goals, 1 Assist, 16 Starts), McKray Kohn (F, Sr., 1 Goal, 2 Assists), Will Eldred (F, So., 4 Goals), Austin Yon (D, Sr.), Alexis Lopez, (F, Jr., 1 Assist), Griffin Small (GK, Jr., 64 Saves, 3.04 GAA). Other Key Returners: Tim Teipel (D, Jr.), Collin LaBranche (D, Jr., 5 Starts, 11 GP). Key Losses: Kaleb Strawn (D), Derrick Gonzales (M), Max Harvey (F), Jake Zimmer (F). Key Freshmen: Oscar Aguilar (F, 5-11, Mabton, Wash. Mabton), Jason Fairhurst (M/F, 6-0, Snohomish, Wash. Snohomish), Stepen Todd Murray Jr. (M/F, 6-0, Bonney Lake, Wash. Sumner), Nick Phillips (M, 5-9, Lake Tapps, Wash. Sumner), Brady Trullinger (M, 5-6, White Salmon, Wash. Columbia), Cayman John (D, 5-7, Bonney Lake, Wash. Bonney Lake), Edgar Iniquez (F, 5-11, Yakima, Wash. Lake Washington). SEATTLE PACIFIC Head Coach: Mark Collings (Seattle Pacific, 1998, , 10th Season) Assistant Coaches: Erik Skipper, James Ward, Andy Machin 2016 Overall Record: Conference: (5th) Letterwinners Returning: 14 Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4 Returning Starters: Jess Cayetano (M, Sr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 4 Goals, 2 Assists), Gabe Kellum (F, Sr., 6 Goals, 4 Assists), Ryan Higgins (D, Sr., 2 Goals), Sam Malloch (M, So., 1 Goal, 1 Assist), Julian White (D, Sr., 1 Goal, 16 Starts), Gabriel Weber (F, So., 1 Assist), Luke Postma (D, Jr., 1 Assist, 13 Starts). Other Key Returners: Mori Tsuchiya (M, Sr., 2 Goals, 1 Assist), Samuel Agyei (F, So., 2 Goals, 13 GP), Sam Rucklos, 1 Goal, 12 GP), Andrew Ivaldi (D, Jr., 6 Starts). Starters Lost: Cody Lang (GK), Davis Karaica (D), Jeffrey Collings (D), Jordan Kollars (M). Key Freshmen: Lars Helleren (GK, 6-2, Edmonds, Wash. King s), Travis Swallow (M, 5-10, Coeur d Alene, Idaho Lake City), Titus Grant (F, 5-11, Colorado Springs, Colo. Classical Academy), Alex Mejia (D, 6-2, Seattle, Wash. Roosevelt), Sebastian Winn-Araneda (F, 5-9, Meridian, Idaho Renaissance), Josh Velazquez (M, 5-11, Buckeye, Ariz. Verrado), Jose Benavides (M, 6-1, Tualatin, Ore. Thurston), Nik Reierson (D, 5-11, Duvall, Wash. Cedarcrest). Key Transfers: Jason Schmidt (M, So., Albuquerque, N.M. Humboldt State). SIMON FRASER Head Coach: Clint Schneider (Midwestern State (Texas), 2003, , 3rd Season) Assistant Coaches: Kevin Harmse, Tyler Baldock 2016 Overall Record: Conference: (1st) Letterwinners Returning: 17 Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5 Returning Starters: Adam Jones (M, Sr., GNAC Player of the Year, First Team All-GNAC, D2CCA West Region Player of the Year, NSCAA All-West Region First Team, NSCAA & D2CCA All-American First Team, 10 Goals, 9 Assists), Magnus Kristensen (D, Sr., GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-GNAC, NSCAA & D2CCA All-West Region First Team, D2CCA All-American Second Team, 3 Goals, 1 Assist, 18 Starts), Mamadi Camara (M, Jr., First Team All-GNAC, NSCAA All-West Region First Team, D2CCA All-West Region Second Team, 9 Goals, 5 Assists), Riley Pang (F, So., GNAC Freshman of the Year, Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 4 Goals, 1 Assist), Kyle Jones (M, Jr., Second Team All-GNAC, 4 Goals, 1 Assist), Pascal Schmidt (D, Sr., Second Team All-GNAC, 2 Goals, 18 Starts). Other Key Returners: Brendan Shaw (M, Jr., 2 Goals, 3 Assists), Michael North (F, R-Jr., 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 9 Starts). Starters Lost: Brandon Watson (GK), Robert Hyams (D), Anthony Van De Vendel (D), Ryan Dhillon (M), Freddie Gard (M). Key Freshmen: Joey Mijaljevic (M, 5-11, Coquitlam, B.C. Charles Best), Christopher Guerreiro (D, 5-9, Coquitlam, B.C. Burnaby Central), Connor Glennon (F, 5-9, Vernon, B.C. Seaton), Idar Martin Knutsen (M, 5-6, Mo I Rana, Norway Polarsirkelen Videregaende), Matteo Polisi (M, 5-10, Coquitlam, B.C. Charles Best).

5 WESTERN WASHINGTON Head Coach: Greg Brisbon (Seattle Pacific, 1998, , 5th Season) Assistant Coach: Kyle Segebart 2016 Overall Record: Conference: (Tie 2nd) Letterwinners Returning: 18 Starters Returning/Lost: 10/2 Returning Starters: Luke Olney (M, Sr., First Team All-GNAC, 3 Goals, 1 Assist), Anthony Dean (F, Sr., Second Team All-GNAC, NSCAA Third Team All-West Region, 8 Goals), Tyler Visten (GK, Sr., Second Team All-GNAC, NSCAA Third Team All-West Region, 0.95 GAA, 7 Shutouts), Jeremiah Lee (D/M, So., Honorable Mention All-GNAC, 2 Goals, 1 Assist), Drew Barker (M/F, Sr., 2 Goals, 2 Assists), Stephen Jinneman (D/F, Jr.,1 Goa, 18 Starts), Nick Morgan (D, So., 1 Goal, 16 Starts), Colton Ronk (D, Sr., 1 Goal, 10 Starts), Christian Rotter (F, So., 4 Goals, 1 Assist), Marcus Tinsley (D, Jr., 1 Assist, 12 Starts). Other Key Returners: Garrett Strawn (D, Jr., 1 Assist, 6 Starts). Starters Lost: Brady Ulen (D), Eleazar Galvan (F). Key Freshmen: Tre Flowers (D, 5-11, Kent, Wash. Kentridge), Mason Rathkamp (M, 5-11, Bellingham, Wash. Sehome), Jack Sluys (D, 6-2, Gig Harbor, Wash. Gig Harbor). - GNACSports.com -