Feb. 6, 2009

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara men's soccer program announced today the signing of three players to national letters of intent. The Broncos signed Erik Hurtado, Takahide Kameya and Larry Jackson. The trio will enter Santa Clara in the fall of 2009 and should make an immediate impact.

2009 Santa Clara Recruiting Class (alphabetical order)

Hurtado is a forward from Beaverton, Ore., who is schedule to graduate from Westview High School in June. Hurtado lead the Wildcats to two straight league championships in 2007 and '08, and were state finalists in 2008. He was named Oregon Class 6A and Metro League Player of the Year in 2007 and '08. He was also named first-team all-state in both those seasons and was a first-team All-American in 2008 by ESPN RISE. Hurtado also played with the Westside Metros club team, which was the 2007 and '08 State Champions, Regional finalists in 2007 and Regional semifinalists in 2008. He was the team's leading goal scorer in both seasons. In the summer of 2008, Hurtado was named to the U.S. U-18 National team roster for a couple of friendlies in South America.

"Erik is a very dangerous forward but can be effective in the midfield as well," said Bronco head coach Cameron Rast. "He is exceptionally quick and agile, and loves to get to goal. In the games I have seen he is always involved in creating goals for his team. We hope he will do the same for us. He has a very competitive nature and we believe will continue to develop in our program."

Kameya joins the Broncos after two years in the Yokohama F-Marinos Youth Academy in Japan. He also played for the DeAnza Force, helping the team to the 2006 NorCal ODP Region IV championship and the 2005 USL Super-Y National title. For his efforts on the field, Kameya was named the NorCal ODP Player of the Year and the Region IV ODP Player of the Year in 2005 and '06.

"Taka is a very skillful player who can beat guys on the dribble or on the pass," said Rast. "He is very quick and should compete for time in the midfield or up front. His experience over the last two years in the Yokohama F-Marinos Youth Academy in Japan will give him a great starting point. We are excited about his potential to be creative in our attack."

Rounding out the class is 6-foot-1 goalkeeper Jackson. He arrives at SCU from Edison Academic Center in Bradenton, Fla. He was a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA)/adidas Boys Youth All-American in 2006 and '07. Jackson has played with the DeAnza Force 90 and the IMG U-18 teams, as well as the U.S. U-17 and U-20 National teams from 2005-08.

"Larry is an accomplished goalkeeper," said Rast. "He has spent time training year round at the IMG Academy and has been in our National Teams program over the last couple of years. He has great explosiveness and range in covering the goal. I am equally as impressed in his maturity as a young goalkeeper. Perhaps the best part about Larry is his work ethic; no doubt will he be a pleasure to work with everyday."