Feb. 20, 2006

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The nationally-prominent Santa Clara University men's soccer program, led by head coach Cameron Rast, announced the addition of five outstanding high school seniors who will look to help lead the team to its sixth overall College Cup appearance this fall.

Ryan Brown (Montclair, N.J.), Jeff Cosgriff (San Bruno, Calif.), Sean Danzeiser (Albuquerque, N.M.), Stephen McCarthy (Colleyville, Texas) and Kellen Wantulok (Boise, Idaho) all signed valid National Letters of Intent to attend Santa Clara beginning in the Fall of 2006.

"Over the last year we traveled all over the country searching for the players that would be the right fit to make our program better," said Rast. "We found someone on the East Coast, a couple in the Midwest and some right in our own backyard. I am extremely excited about this year's recruiting class. We have added a great blend of classy and talented soccer players who will bring style, flair and a bit of athletic grit to our team.

"After the addition of Amaechi Igwe who entered Santa Clara University this winter quarter (click here for the release), I couldn't be more pleased with the group of players we will have playing for us next year. There might also be another player or two coming to us who undoubtedly make us better.

"While I am excited about he quality of the players we have coming next year, the group also has a great upside potential. Given some time and a bit of experience we believe we have a special group coming in this year. In the end, when I look at the players who have signed letters of intent as well as those committed to play for us next year, I am most pleased about the quality for the individual we are getting as student /athletes to represent Santa Clara University."

"Ryan Brown comes to us out of New Jersey and the PDA soccer club," said Rast. "His speed and work rate will be a great addition. His ability to beat players on the dribble as well as the pass will cause real problems for opponents. He has a genuine desire to make a team better. How can a coach not be excited about that?"

"Jeff Cosgriff has so many great qualities as a midfielder," said Rast. "He has great feet and game sense in his attacking play. He can score goals, he can slip balls behind defenses, he can breakdown opponents. Coupled with the fact he is a one of the top students we have ever had here makes him an ideal student/athlete for us."

"Sean Danzeiser has wanted to be at Santa Clara University since his unofficial visit last spring," said Rast. "He has the mobility to slash in behind defenses and get into good goal scoring positions. I can't tell whether I am more excited he is coming or he is more about attending. Either way his ability on the field as a frontrunner and goal scorer will be a welcome addition."

"Stephen McCarthy is another great addition out of the Dallas Texans," said Rast. "While he has a quiet personality off the field, his impact on the field is what impressed me the most. He has great presence in the midfield by winning balls but also in dividing them. His club team is proven to be among the best in the country and in my mind he is a big reason for their success."

"Kellen Wantulok is a flat-out competitor," said Rast. "He does whatever it takes to win. My sense in speaking with him is that he is just as happy to score goals as he is to get assists. He is perhaps our most well-rounded athlete. Besides playing for a club team and high school that have won the last three state championships, respectively, he also plays basketball and runs track. Our program will be better for having a player like him."

Santa Clara lost 10 letterwinners from its team that ranked as high as fourth nationally during 2005 and finished the season with a 13-6-3 overall record and a second-place, 6-4-2 mark in the WCC. The Broncos went 7-1-1 at home during the season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. SCU defeated Ohio State by a score of 1-0 at home before playing to a scoreless draw at Cal in the second round. The Bears advanced in the tournament by virtue of a 5-4 edge in penalty kicks.

First-team All-America and WCC Player of the Year Mehdi Ballouchy entered the Major League Soccer SuperDraft following the season and was the number two selection overall by Real Salt Lake. Forward Hector Guzman was taken by Houston in the supplemental draft a few days later.

2006 Santa Clara Men's Soccer Signees