Men's Soccer Adds 10 to Stacked Returning Roster
6/2/2023 4:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer
CBU men's soccer returns nine starters from the 2022 WAC Championship team. With one final addition close, the team welcomes ten new signings.
"With an excellent and experienced returning team, we wanted to add players who could help elevate us to the next level immediately but who also provide stability in the coming years as our very experienced older guys graduate and move on to start their professional careers. We are extremely fortunate to add so much quality to a team that has so much returning."
Alex Mendez, Attacking Midfielder, Junior
Alex transfers to CBU from Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, where he led his team to the CCCAA state championship game as a sophomore captain in the fall of 2022. He had 16 goals and 14 assists for 45 points in 24 matches, good for fourth in the state. He was also named a United Soccer Coaches JuCo 1st Team All-American.
"One of our objectives in recruiting was to add more goals from midfield, and we feel great about what Alex brings in this regard. He makes great late runs into the attack and can change a game in a moment. He brings leadership and competitive character as well, with a tendency to step up in big moments."
Angel Guerra, Wide Attacker, Freshman
Angel follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Junior Guerra (2015-2018), and joins CBU from Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, where he was a captain. Angel is also a member of the LAUFA MLS Next Team, where he was named to the East-West All-Star Game in 2022. Angel has a 3.7 GPA.
"Angel brings a lot of what we value with CBU soccer in terms of his engine, technique, intelligence, and versatility. He's a wide player who we believe can also play in midfield. He is a high character person, on and off the field, who never stops running, both offensively and defensively."
Danny Hernandez, Striker, Freshman
Danny is a local addition from Riverside Albion Soccer Club and local powerhouse Arlington High School, where he played for CBU alumnus Kevin Watson. Danny holds school records for career goals and assists and was a two-year captain. He was the 2023 Press Enterprise Player of the Year, named to the Elite Academy Southwest Region Best XI, and has a 3.92 GPA.
"Danny is a versatile attacker who can play in a variety of roles but who ultimately is special in terms of his service and final ball. He has excellent vision and creates as many goals for his teammates as he scores. Danny has exceptional work ethic and a commitment to growth."
Dorian Drucks, Goalkeeper, Freshman
Dorian graduated from Helmholtz High School in Essen, Germany, and grew up playing for his local club, Rot-Weiss Essen. His team plays in the highest level of German youth soccer, the U19 Bundesliga. The recent season produced the most successful youth team in the club's history and included a victory in the cup competition, the Niederrhein Trophy.
"Dorian has all of the tools to be an elite college goalkeeper. His size, athleticism, technical quality, and ability to build with his feet make him an ideal young goalkeeper to add to a great group of goalkeepers here at CBU."
Drew Hardin, Midfielder, Freshman
Drew graduated from Forest Hill High School in January in West Palm Beach, Florida. Drew played for Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF. At age 16, he was promoted to Inter Miami II, where he went on to make 26 appearances and score one goal in USL League 1 and MLS Next Pro. His success with Inter Miami led to his inclusion in the U17 US Youth National Team Pool.
"Drew has the pedigree to have a big impact in college soccer. While he is versatile, Drew is an 8 who is very good at running beyond the front 3 to create scoring opportunities from late runs. He is also a great fit at our university and in our team and has a 4.59 GPA."
Erik Krohnstad, Midfielder, Freshman
Erik joined CBU in the spring of 2023 from Bergen, Norway. Erik attended Stange Upper Secondary School and played for Lysekloster and Hamarkameratene soccer clubs. At the conclusion of the spring season at CBU, Erik was one of three team members named to the CBU men's soccer leadership team.
"Erik is an ultra-competitor and a great teammate who earned immediate respect from his teammates and coaches this spring. He has the mentality and quality to have an immediate impact in college soccer. He is tough and smart with great character, on and off the field. He adds some real grit to our midfield."
Gabriel Gonzalez, Striker, Sophomore
Gabriel joins CBU from Phoenix College with three years of eligibility remaining. At Phoenix, Gabriel led Phoenix to the NJCAA DII National Tournament with 17 goals and 5 assists in 17 games. He was named the ACCAC Player of the Year and NJCAA 1st Team All-American in 2022.
"We wanted a very specific type of 9 in this class, and Gabriel fits the bill. He has an engine and the ability to press from the front, coupled with excellent finishing and quality movement in the final 1/3. He's a pure 9 with work rate, intelligence, and quality."
Kristian Johnson, Defender, Freshman
Kristian is a 2023 graduate from Citrus Valley High School in Redlands, CA, and a Sporting California Arsenal U19 ECNL team member. He was an all-league defender and captain in high school and was also named to the ECNL Southwest All-Conference team. Kristian has a 4.3 GPA.
"Kristian is a pure defender and as tough as they come. He is athletic, strong, and capable of playing any position across the back four. He has the right combination of athleticism, character, and work ethic to become a very good college soccer player."
Luis Borrero, Winger, Freshman
Luis joins CBU from FC St. Pauli in Hamburg, Germany. At St. Pauli, Luis has made 21 Regionalliga appearances for St. Pauli II. Prior to that, he led the St. Paul U19s in goal contributions (combined goals and assists) in the U19 Youth Bundesliga, the highest level of youth soccer in Germany.
"Luis is a quick, dynamic, creative attacking player with a great engine and a commitment to defend from the front. He can play on either side of a front 3 and is excellent in 1v1 situations. While he is more of a provider than a goal scorer, he adds a lot of final 1/3 quality into the team."
Otto Gustafsson, Defender, Freshman
Otto joins CBU from IF Elfsborg in Boras, Sweden. With Elfsborg, he has competed for their U17, U19, and U21 teams and was a member of their province championship side. He has also participated in Swedish Youth National Team training camps.
"Otto is a versatile and athletic defender with good pace. While he is an excellent defender, he is also a very good passer. He will compete for minutes across the back four immediately and has the ability to play as either a fullback or a center back."
