Feb. 4, 2004
University of New Mexico men’s soccer coach Jeremy Fishbein announced the signing of five players today, the first day of the spring signing period for NCAA men’s soccer. Ryon Aguirre (Centennial, Colo.), Blake Danaher (Mesquite, Texas), German Gomez (Houston, Texas), David Gualdarama (Waianae, Hawaii), and Joey Vitagliano (Scottsdale, Ariz.) will all join the Lobos for the 2004 season.
The Lobos lost just one senior, Stian Eriksen, from their Mountain Pacific Sports Federation runner-up squad in 2003. New Mexico has won two of the last three MPSF Championships and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in two of the past three seasons. The new signees will look to mix with a very experienced squad to make trip back to the NCAA Tournament in 2004. This group of players will also play in one of the best home field advantages in the country. The Lobos are 14-1-2 in the last two seasons at the UNM Soccer Complex and averaged 1,700 fans per game in 2003, ranking eighth in the country in that category.
“We feel this recruiting class is comparable to the 2002 class which has proven to be one of the best classes in the country,” stated Fishbein. “We have a diverse group of newcomers from four different states and one who was born out of the country. This is a very talented and committed group of student-athletes who come from the best club teams in the country. They all have the common goal of making New Mexico one of the best soccer programs in the country. Our ability to attract this caliber of talent is a compliment to our current players and coaches who have built a solid foundation for us to build on. Combining this class with our returning players, we will be able to continue to pursue our goal of making Lobo Soccer one of the elite programs in NCAA Division I. “
The following are the new players who will suit up for the Lobos in 2004:
| Name | Pos. | HT | WT | Hometown (High School) |
| Ryan Aguirre | G | 6-2 | 185 | Centennial, Colo. (Cherry Creek HS) |
| Blake Danaher | M/F | 5-9 | 155 | Mesquite, Texas (Poteet HS) |
| David Gualdarama | M | 5-9 | 150 | Waianae, Hawaii (Kamehameha HS) |
| German Gomez | M | 5-9 | 150 | Houston, Texas (Stratford HS) |
| Joey Vitagliano | M | 5-8 | 140 | Scottsdale, Ariz. (Horizon HS) |
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Ryon Aquirre |
Ryon Aguirre * 6-2 * 185 * Centennial, Colo. * Goalkeeper * Cherry Creek HS
Ryon plays club soccer for Real Colorado Soccer Club. He is one of the top goalkeepers in the state of Colorado. Ryon brings a tremendous work ethic, courage and quickness to the Lobos. Ryon will help make the Lobos a better team both in training and by challenging for the goalkeeper position. Attended the 2003 Lobo Soccer Camps and made a great impression on the coaching staff. He is the son of Michelle Quackenbush.
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “I feel Ryon was under recognized in Colorado last season. He has the potential to be an outstanding collegaite goalkeeper. He will make our training and practices more challenging and he will push others to give 100% at all times. The coaches and players became real comfortable with Ryon after he attended Lobo Soccer camps in the summer of 2003.”
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Blake Danaher |
Blake Danaher * 5-9 * 155 * Mesquite, Texas * Midfield/Forward * Poteet HS
Blake is the captain of one of top club teams in the country, Solar Soccer Club of Dallas, Texas. He attended Adidas “Elite Soccer Program” summer 2003 and was named to the ESP All-Star Team.One of the most dangerous attacking players in the country, Blake brings passion, vision and athleticism to the Lobos. He will play as a forward or midfielder for the Lobos. Blake’s parents are Gary and Beverly Danaher.
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “Blake’s passion for the game is contagious and his skills and abilities are going to make him a fan favorite for us for the next four years. He is one of the best attacking players in the country and is also one of the top goal scorers in the state of Texas. He has a chance to come in and make an immediate impact on our team next year.”
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German Gomez |
German Gomez * 5-9 * 150 * Houston, Texas * Midfield * Stratford HS
Gomez plays for Houston Classics Soccer Club. He grew up in Cali, Columbia and moved to the US at the age of 14. German played for the professional soccer club “America de Cali” as a youth. Gomez brings tremendous soccer knowledge, passion, quickness and skill to New Mexico. A natural left sided player, who can play any attacking position. He is dangerous on all set pieces and great off the dribble. German’s parents are German Gomez and Anais Benedetti.
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “I am really excited to have German join our program. Soccer is in his blood more than most American kids. He does some amazing things with the ball and once he gets comfortable with the speed and physical play of college soccer, he will make a major impact on our program.”
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David Gualdarama |
David Gualdarama * 5-9 * 150 * Waianae, Hawaii * Midfielder * Kamehameha HS
David plays club for Hawaii Bulls Soccer Club. He attended Adidas “Elite Soccer Program” summer 2003. Gualdarama was member of Region IV ODP Team 2000-2002 and a member of the U-15 US National Team Pool in 2000. David is a very crafty, skilled attacking player who can play anywhere in the midfield. His parents are David and Lena Gualdarama.
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “David’s commitment to soccer is shown through his succes in both the club and high school ranks. I think he is going to blossom at the collegiate level. Growing up in Hawaii, he didn’t get the opportunity to consistently play against the toughest competition, but he still has shown that he is one of the best players in the nation. He is great on the ball and has a tremendous feel for the game. He can quickly become a dangerous collegaite player. “
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Joey Vitagliano |
Joey Vitagliano * 5-8 * 140 * Scottsdale, Ariz. * Midfielder * Horizon HS
Joey plays club for Sereno Soccer Club. He was a member of State ODP teams in both South Carolina and Arizona. His high school teams won state titles in both South Carolina and Arizona. Joey is the fourth of four brothers to play Division 1 Soccer. His club team, Sereno, was Region IV Champions in 2002 and 2003 and finished #2 in the nation in 2003. Vitagliano is a National Honor Society member. Joey is a quick, attack-minded midfielder who can play both wide and centrally. He is very technical and hard on the tackle. Will play in the midfield for the Lobos. His parents are Tony and Peggy Vitagliano.
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “Joey is one of the most intelligent players we’ve seen. He has excelled on every club and high school team he has been a part of. He knows what it takes to succede in the classroom and on the field. His dedication to being a top student-athlete will take him far.”