SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara University men's soccer program, 19-time NCAA tournament qualifiers and 11-time winners of the West Coast Conference Championship, have announced the signing of five incoming student-athletes who will attend the University and play for the Broncos in 2012-13.

Three of the recruits brought in by Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast and his coaching staff have spent time training with the U.S. Soccer's U17 Men's National Team Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., including Jared Hegardt (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic High School), Ryan Masch (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine Prep) and Kendall McIntosh (Santa Rosa, Calif./Sonoma Academy).

"The piece for us, that we really wanted to target early, was to get the next generation of attacking minded players," said Rast, four-time WCC Coach of the Year. "We have found that in this class."

De Anza Force Academy stars Max Ornstil (Oakland, Calif./Bishop O'Dowd High School) and James Huffer (San Jose, Calif./Willow Glen High School) add to what TopDrawerSoccer.com has ranked as the 7th-best recruiting class in the nation.

"The thing that is great about this group is that a number of them have depth of experience," said Rast. "Through their experience they will lead us moving forward. All of them have strong character; all of them are very committed to the game; all of them understand what we want to get done here and that's very important to us in recruiting classes."
 
Jared Hegardt - F/MF
San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic HS/San Diego Surf
 
Jared can play in the midfield or play wing. He is very crafty on the ball. He has the ability to breakdown opponents on the dribble or on the pass and is very creative going to goal. We believe he will help create a lot of opportunities to score, either for himself or for his teammates – said Rast.  
 
Kendall McIntosh - GK
Santa Rosa, Calif./Sonoma Academy/San Jose Earthquakes Club  
 
A tremendous talent that started attending school here at Santa Clara this winter.  He has been in the residency program in Bradenton, Fla. and has extensive experience at the highest levels, playing with the U17 US National Team as the starter in the most recent U17 World Cup in Mexico – said Rast.  
 
Ryan Masch – F
San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine Prep/De Anza Force
 
Ryan is someone who we expect to contribute early in his career. He has the potential to become one of our top pure playmakers. He will work tremendously hard at getting the ball back for the team, but once he has it, and where he is truly special is his ability to unbalance a defense by playing so quickly; he'll be able to slip in balls going to goal; he will be able to maintain possession … Ryan's attacking piece is really special – said Rast.
 
Max Ornstil - MF
Oakland, Calif./Bishop O'Dowd High School/De Anza Force
 
Max is a young man that is really emerging as a player that will have a great impact on the college game. He has done well up to this point, and since joining the De Anza Force Academy group this year is making excellent decisions, is very steady on the ball and is improving constantly. He is a late-bloomer that has shown he will be impactful in his career here. He will learn from Murphy (Campbell) at the midfield position and also can play in the back. He is going to be a great addition – said Rast.  
 
James Huffer - F
San Jose, Calif./Willow Glen High School/De Anza Force
 
James will provide a strong presence in the forward line. He's tough, yet is considered a 'skillful' forward. To have a combination where you are tough, physical and aggressive – and at the same time be able to be technical, combine with your teammates and go to goal, it's a great combination for a forward – said Rast. 

James Huffer is pictured above