FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton men's soccer team added 17 new faces to the program that won its first ever Big West Conference Tournament title in 2014, it was announced on Monday by second-year head coach George Kuntz.
Fullerton also highlighted its global reach this offseason by landing recruits, West and McPhie from Knivsta, Uppsala (Sweden) and Nelson, New Zealand, respectively.
In 2014, the Titans finished with a record of 10-8-6 overall including a run into the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the program's Division I history. All 17 new faces will look to make an immediate impact on the pitch for Fullerton as the program looks to achieve back–to-back Big West Tournament Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in school history.
Here is a closer look at the student-athletes who chose to represent the Titans in 2015:
Roman Manning
Height: 5'10
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Deerfield, WI
Position: Forward
Jake Fisher
Height: 6'0
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
Position: Midfielder
Oscar M. Flores
Height: 5'11
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Anaheim, Calif.
Position: Midfielder
Kuntz: "Oscar has the ability to connect the team and set up scoring while keeping possession. He skillful, versatile midfielder who plays for the highly acclaimed West Coast Futbol Club team coached by Chris Gould, while also playing for state-champion Servite High School under Jon Spencer."
Marshall Metzger
Height: 6'0
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Position: Forward
Ricardo Covarrubias
Height: 5'7
Year: Junior
Hometown: Cudahy, Calif.
Position: Midfielder / Defender
Kuntz: "Ricardo is a strong leader and very strong defender who was the captain of the 2014 state-champions, Cerritos Junior College, coached by Ben Artiaga."
Ether Bustos
Height: 5'7
Year: Freshman
Hometown: San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Position: Midfielder / Forward
Ruben Alvarez
Height: 6'0
Year: Junior
Hometown: Littlerock, Calif.
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'11
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Santa Ana, Calif.
Position: Midfielder / Forward
Kuntz: "Ro is considered a top-class forward with the ability to run at defenses, create, and score. He plays for the state-champion Fullerton Rangers Soccer Club coached by James Obleda and Century High School coached by Bruce Silverman."
Brandon West
Height: 5'11
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Knivsta, Uppsala (Sweden)
Position: Forward
Edgar Rodriguez
Height: 5'11
Year: Junior
Hometown: Littlerock, Calif.
Position: Forward
Kuntz: "Edgar is a hardworking, box-to-box midfielder, who brings leadership qualities into our program. He played for Taft College, who were ranked No. 1 in the state for most of 2014, under head coach Angelo Cutrona."
Carlos Jose Troncoso
Height: 5'9
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Anaheim, Calif.
Position: Defender / Midfielder
Kuntz: "Jose is a very special talented defender who reads the game well while acting as a skillful attacking force from his outside back position. His aggressive runs out of the back create a host of problems for opposing teams. He plays for the state-champion Fullerton Rangers Soccer Club coached by James Obleda, and Katella High School coached by Juan Martinez."
Height: 5'10
Year: Junior
Hometown: Palmdale, Calif.
Position: Midfielder
Kuntz: "Oscar is a versatile player that can contribute to our team. His ability to set players up with his vision and ability to score goals will be a tremendous asset. He played for Taft College, who were ranked No. 1 in the state for most of 2014, under head coach Angelo Cutrona."
Elijah Barajas
Height: 5'11
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Anaheim, Calif.
Position: Defender
Kuntz: "Elijah is a strong, hard-nosed defender and a great leader. He plays for the state-champion Fullerton Rangers Soccer Club coached by James Obleda, and state-champion Servite High School coached by Jon Spencer.
Height: 5'7
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Santa Ana, Calif.
Position: Midfielder / Forward
Kuntz: "In his age group, Ami is one of the best midfielders in the country who has already represented the USA on the U18 National team. He is highly acclaimed for his ability to create and possess. He plays for the state-champion Fullerton Rangers Soccer Club coached by James Obleda, and Century High School coached by Bruce Silverman."
James 'Ross' McPhie
Height: 5'8
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Nelson, New Zealand
Position: Midfielder
Kuntz: "James comes to Cal State Fullerton by way of New Zealand and was called into the U17 National team training camp for his country this past season. He is a true box-to-box midfielder who's work ethic and relentless ball possession abilities will be highly valuable. James played for head coach Chris Zoricich at Saint Kentigern College, he also played a season for Western Springs Football Club under head coach Neil Emblen and three years with Nelson Suburbs Club under Ben Wright."
Ramon Chavez
Height: 6-3
Year: Junior
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Position: Defender
Kuntz: "Ramon is a talented defender that transferred in from Taft Junior College. He played a major role for the team who was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of 2014, coached by Angelo Cutrona."
Alex Toderica
Height: 6-2
Year: Junior
Hometown: Longmont, Colo.
Position: Forward
Kuntz: "Alex is a four-year transfer that provides size, scoring ability, and the ability to distribute as a target. He is a First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Colorado honoree to go along with a First Team All-Academic nod. He has trained with the Colorado Rapids Development Academy U-18 and has netted 15 goals in 22 matches for the Rapids."
"There is great potential in our recruiting class this year," Kuntz said. "The players we have recruited fit well within our exciting attacking style, system of play, and complement our team in many tangible and intangible ways. We have added some strong attacking players by recruiting forwards and midfielders, and filled voids left by graduating seniors in defensive positions. This recruiting class adds size, speed, and skill to an already talented group returning next year."