Cal Poly Pomona Replenishes Roster with 16 Newcomers
Johnny
Mercer (20) is transferring to Cal Poly Pomona from Adams State,
another Division II institution. He served as the top striker for the
Grizzlies in 2011.
8/16/2012 9:00:00 AM
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POMONA, Calif. - In 2011, the Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer team filled nine of its 11 starting lineup spots with seniors.
For the seven returners who saw action off the bench last season, the upcoming season represents an opportunity to step into the spotlight. There will be plenty of competition for those vacancies in the starting lineup though, as 16 new Broncos have joined the program for the 2012-13 school year.
The signee class features 11 freshman and four transfers, including a junior arriving from Division II Adams State. The group features local products, including Pomona and Claremont natives, and a pair of out-of-state players from Oregon.
Spencer Aiken | Tony Bichai | Matt Boudreau | Brandon Chatham | Scott Clark | Abiel Coronado | Brandon Cortez | Leonel Espinoza | Ian Joyce | Tim Kilpatrick | Johnny Mercer | Justyn Peeples | Christopher Rosales | Anton Russell | Tyler Swobe | Jeremy Winston
Spencer Aiken
Freshman | Defender | Long Beach, Calif. | Woodrow Wilson High School
Spencer Aiken starred for the Woodrow Wilson High School boys' soccer team, earning Best Defensive Player honors the last two years. Aiken also served as the squad's captain as a senior and received Most Valuable Player recognition in his junior campaign.
Outside of high school competition, Aiken also played for the South Bay Force at the club level. There, he guided the Force to the Surf Cup title in 2010 and a runner-up finish in 2011. In 2012, Aiken lifted the team to the Nomads Tournament Championship and a semifinal finish at nationals.
Tony Bichai
Freshman | Forward | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Mater Dei High School
A 2008 graduate of Mater Dei High School, Tony Bichai enrolled at CPP but has yet to compete collegiately on the soccer team. He excelled in high school, totaling 33 goals and guiding the Mater Dei squad to the semifinal round of the CIF Division I playoffs as a senior. Bichai also served as a member of the National Honors Society and California Scholarship Federation during his high school years.
One of Bichai's favorite soccer memories was scoring a goal during the 2008 CIF quarterfinals against Long Beach Cabrillo to help his team advance to the semifinals. Earlier in his soccer career, he earned the chance to compete at the 2005 Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Matt Boudreau
Senior | Forward | Murrieta, Calif. | Murrieta Valley High School
A track and field standout for the Broncos the past three years, Matt Boudreau has decided to also compete in soccer starting this fall. He was a four-time letterwinner in soccer at Murrieta Valley High School, where he became the program's career goals leader.
Through his time at CPP, he's earned All-Region honors while focusing on sprints, hurdles and relays. Boudreau helped the Broncos capture two conference relay titles in 2011. The Murrieta native is also active outside of competition, as he'll serve as the Bronco Athletic Association (BAA) President in the 2012-13 school year.
Brandon Chatham
Freshman | Goalkeeper | Beaverton, Ore. | Beaverton High School
One of two Beaverton High School student-athletes in the 2012 signing class, Brandon Chatham June 16 in Oregon. The 6-foot-1 goalkeeper put together a terrific high school career as a three-year letterwinner in soccer and a Student-Athlete Excellence award recipient for his work in the classroom.
In guiding the Beaverton soccer squad to runner-up finishes in the Oregon State Cup and the OSAA 6A State championship, Chatham collected All-Metro First Team All-State 6A Goalkeeper Runner-Up honors. Along the way, he picked up impressive shutouts of the Oregon State Champion team and the Santa Clara Sporting club team.
Scott Clark
Freshman | Defender/Midfielder | Foothill Ranch, Calif. | Trabuco Hills High School
Having excelled in two sports through his time at Trabuco Hills High School, Scott Clark finished his tenure there with graduation on June 14. His many athletic accomplishments featured a Most Valuable Player selection for track and field after the 2009-10 season. In soccer, Clark collected All-League First Team honors as a senior and received the Golden Boot recognition in both of his final two seasons.
Clark earned Principal's Honor Roll status for his work in the classroom and once he arrives to CPP, he plans to study business and education.
Abiel Coronado
Junior | Forward/Midfielder| San Diego, Calif. | Rio Hondo College
As a member of the Rio Hondo College soccer team, Abiel Coronado helped continue the program's success the last two seasons. Before graduating from Southwest High School in 2003, Coronado guided the boys' soccer squad to a CIF championship. While at Southwest, he completed several advanced placement courses.
Coronado also brings plenty of club experience to the Broncos' program. He's excelled on both the San Diego Boca FC and the Thunder Bay Chill teams.
Brandon Cortez
Freshman | Forward | Mission Viejo, Calif. | Trabuco Hills High School
Through his years at Trabuco Hills High School that ended in his 2008 graduation, Brandon Cortez excelled on the soccer field and in the classroom. He served as the team's captain and went on to earn Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player honors. Cortez also received Scholar's Award recognition for his academic prowess.
For Cortez, one of his favorite soccer memories is guiding the Pateadores to a national club title. Currently, he is pursuing a degree in science.
Leonel Espinoza
Freshman | Defender | Pomona, Calif. | Bonita High School
A local student-athlete from Pomona, Leonel Espinoza helped bolster the backline for the Bearcats of Bonita High School. He totaled three goals and two assists as a junior, with the team going 2-0-1 in matches that featured an Espinoza score. The 6-foot-1 defender shined academically as well, receiving scholar-athlete status during his sophomore and junior campaigns.
One of Espinoza's most memorable soccer moments was getting selected to compete for the Arsenal FC academy, where he played in 10 games at the U-17/18 level.
Ian Joyce
Freshman | Defender | Moreno Valley, Calif. | Canyon Springs High School
A three-sport star at Canyon Springs High School, Ian Joyce excelled in soccer, water polo and swimming. On the soccer field, he guided the high school team to the CIF quarterfinal stage in 2010-11 and finished as a four-year letterwinner. Joyce also lettered all four years in water polo, helping the squad reach the CIF playoffs as a junior. Through his water polo career, he collected All-League First Team and Most Valuable Player honors while serving as the captain for Canyon Springs.
Regularly keeping his grade point average above 3.5, Joyce received numerous academic awards. He earned selection as an All-Scholar Athlete for all three sports. Joyce also collected accolades for excellence in writing and received the school's "Up and Coming Artist Award" as well.
Tim Kilpatrick
Freshman | Defender/Midfielder | Anaheim, Calif. | Loara High School
An Anaheim native, Tim Kilpatrick graduated June 13 from Loara High School. There, he served as the soccer team's captain for three years and collected All-League honors in two of those seasons. Kilpatrick excelled in the classroom as well, receiving Principal's Honor Roll recognition in three different years.
One of Kilpatrick's favorite soccer memories is guiding his club team to a showcase title in Seattle, Wash. Once he graduates from CPP, Kilpatrick aspires to become either a physical therapist or doctor.
Johnny Mercer
Sophomore | Forward | Indian Wells, Calif. | Adams State
In 2011, Johnny Mercer served as the top striker for Adams State of the Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). The 6-foot-1 forward totaled 10 points on four goals and two assists. Mercer made the best of his chances, landing 21 of his 36 shots on goal. He also performed well in the classroom, earning a spot on the RMAC All-Academic Team.
A 2010 graduate of Silver Creek High School, Mercer collected All-Conference First Team and All-Area First Team honors while totaling nine goals and 10 assists as a senior. He also guided the Colorado Storm North Red club team to a state championship at the U17 level and the Elite 1 League Championship.
Justyn Peeples
Freshman | Defender | Riverside, Calif. | Martin Luther King High School
Another addition to the Broncos' defense, Justyn Peeples put together a stellar career at Martin Luther King High School leading up to his graduation on June 6. His soccer achievements included All-League First Team and All-CIF Third Team status. Peeples also performed well academically, reaching highest honors with one of the top grade point averages.
Once arriving at the CPP campus, Peeples plans on studying chemistry and his career aspiration is to become a pediatrician.
Christopher Rosales
Junior | Defender | Redwood City, Calif. | Foothill College
A tough defender, Christopher Rosales played two seasons for Foothill College and guided the program to a No. 9 ranking at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) junior college level. Along the way, he collected All-Conference First Team recognition. In one of the pivotal 2011 matchups, Rosales tallied the game-winning goal against Evergreen Valley College.
A 2010 graduate of Saint Francis High School, Rosales helped the soccer program capture a Central Coast Section title. The Redwood City native plans on studying international business and architecture.
Anton Russell
Freshman | Defender/Midfielder | Claremont, Calif. | Damien High School
A versatile player, Anton Russell finished his Damien High School soccer career with All-League First Team honors and helped the team top Claremont to capture the Sierra League championship. A two-year varsity starter on the soccer team, Russell also earned Honor Roll accolades all four years for his work in the classroom.
Russell guided the Spartans of Damien High School to an overall record of 14-8-2 during the 2011-12 season while the team posted an 8-2 mark in conference play.
Tyler Swobe
Junior | Defender | Fresno, Calif. | Fresno City College
With five Fresno City College student-athletes transferring to CPP in the past two years, Tyler Swobe continues the trend as he'll enter his first season as a Bronco this fall. In 2011, he guided the Rams of FCC to a conference championship and an overall mark of 11-6-6. Swobe, a 6-foot-1 defender, received All-Conference and FCC Scholar Award honors in his final season with the Rams.
A 2009 graduate of Central East High School in Fresno, Swobe earned the Tri-River Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year accolade as a senior after lifting the team to a league title. He scored the penalty kick that helped advance the program to its first Valley Championship. A three-year letterwinner in soccer, Swobe collected All-League recognition in two of those seasons.
Jeremy Winston
Freshman | Midfielder | Portland, Ore. | Beaverton High School
A current teammate of fellow signee Brandon Chatham, Jeremy Winston also graduated June 14 from Beaverton High School in Oregon. A 5-foot-10 midfielder, Winston ranked second on the Beaverton squad in goals with eight as a senior. During his junior season, he guided Beaverton to an appearance in the state championship. Competing at the club level as well, Winston helped his team reach the state cup match.
The Portland native also excelled in the classroom, garnering All-Metro Academic All-Star recognition on two occasions and finishing as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.
