March 20, 2004
University of New Mexico men’s soccer coach Jeremy Fishbein announced the signing of four players today, bringing the total number of commitments to nine this spring. This group of signees for the 2004 season has both local and international flavor. Mike Porter (Las Cruces, N.M.) continues Fishbein’s tradition of bringing in top players from the state of New Mexico, while Hans Bevers (Antwerp, Belgium), Charalambos Rossides (Nicosia, Cyprus) and Andrew Boyens (Dunedin, New Zealand) add a world-wide flare to the Lobos.
On the first day of the spring signing period for NCAA men’s soccer the Lobos inked Ryon Aguirre (Centennial, Colo.), Blake Danaher (Mesquite, Texas), German Gomez (Houston, Texas), David Gualdarama (Waianae, Hawaii), and Joey Vitagliano (Scottsdale, Ariz.).
This second group of signees includes Porter, one of the top players in New Mexico; Bevers, an extremely talented transfer; Boyens, a member of New Zealand’s U23 national team; and Rossides, another experienced international player who played for Cyprus’ U17 and U19 national teams.
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 the trip back to the NCAA Tournament in 2004. This group of players will also have 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 five states and four countries. This is a very talented and committed group of student-athletes who come from some of the best club teams in the country and the world. 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) |
| Hans Bevers | MF/F | 6-0 | 175 | Antwerp, Belgium (University of Antwerp) |
| Andrew Boyens | D | 6-3 | 180 | Dunedin, New Zealand (Otago University) |
| 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) |
| Mike Porter | D | 5-11 | 165 | Las Cruces, N.M. (Las Cruces HS) |
| Charalambos Rossides | D/MF | 6-0 | 185 | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Joey Vitagliano | MF | 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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Hans Bevers |
Hans Bevers * 6-0 * 175 * Antwerp, Belgium * Midfield/Forward * University of Antwerp
Bevers is transferring from the University of Antwerp and will be a senior in 2004. He brings in years of high-level club experience to the Lobos, having played as a youth for NAC Breda in the Dutch first division, the former club of U.S. National Team player Ernie Stewart. He also played for Germinal Beerschot and Wuustwezel in Belgium.
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “I am real excited that Hans is joining our team. He is a tremendous attacking player, great off the dribble and has an excellent soccer background. He is a very serious student as well as a serious soccer player. He had opportunities as a youth to turn professional, but felt that his education was a priority. Hans will play either as a wide-midfielder or center-midfielder for us. He will be a very exciting player to watch.”
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Andrew Boyens |
Andrew Boyens * 6-3 * 180 * Dunedin, New Zealand * Defender * Otago University
Andrew is a transfer from Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand. He will be a sophomore for the Lobos in 2004. He was a member of the Otago U-20 team that toured Argentina and Chile in 2002. Boyens was a member of the New Zealand U-20 team and this year was a member of New Zealand’s U-23 national team that just missed qualifying for the 2004 Olympics. Boyens was also named the Southern Trust New Zealand National League Player of the Year in 2003.
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “Andrew is probably one of the most decorated players at the youth level that we have brought in. He just finished New Zealand’s campaign for the Athens Olympics. They lost to Australia in the Oceanic finals. One of his biggest domestic honors was being named the National League Player of the Year last year, which was quite an honor for a 20-year old. He is another serious student with very high aspirations for his soccer career.”
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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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Mike Porter |
Mike Porter * 5-11 * 165 * Las Cruces, N.M. * Defender/Midfield * Las Cruces HS
Mike is a three-time all-state player and was a three-year team captain at Las Cruces HS. He played for the 2003 Albuquerque United state champion club team. Porter has also been a member of the New Mexico ’86 Olympic Development team for four years and captain of the team the last two. He is a member of the Region IV ODP Team that will travel to Chile in April to take part in an international tournament. Porter is also an excellent student, graduating in the top-5% of his class and a three-year member of the National Honor Society
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “Mike is one of the top players coming out of New Mexico this year and we’ve always said that if there are players from New Mexico good enough to help us get better, we want them here. He possesses all of the attributes we want out of a Lobo soccer player. He is a tremendous student and a tremendous soccer player. He is hardworking, disciplined, and dedicated. Mike is a guy who is really coming into his own and is just now starting to reach his potential as a player. He was selected to the Region IV ODP Team this spring, which is comprised of the top 18 players in the west for his age group. We look for Mike to be a big part of our defense and midfield over the next four years.”
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Charalambos Rossides |
Charalambos Rossides * 6-0 * 185 * Nicosia, Cyprus * Defender/Midfield
Charalambos has just completed his mandatory two years of military service in his home country of Cyprus. He will be a freshman in 2004 for the Lobos. He played eight seasons for Omonia Nicosia FC until transferring last year to Orfeas Nicosia. He was a member of Cyprus’ U-17 national team, participating in many international tournaments. He was also a member of U-19 national team that played for the European Championship.
Quoting Coach Fishbein: “I am real excited about Charalambos. He has gained incredible experience playing for Cyprus’ U17 and U19 national teams. He has spent the last two years in the military, but he has continued with his playing career. He is another talented player who brings in top-flight international experience. He is well-traveled so there shouldn’t be a significant adjustment period for him. He is also a high-quality student and we are looking for him to make an impact in our defense.”
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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.”