Eight commit to SMU men's soccer

[PonyPride]

Men's Soccer Receives Eight Commitments for 2007 Fall Season

Five of SMU's newest members hail from outside of Texas

Feb. 14, 2007

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU head men's soccer coach Schellas Hyndman has announced the commitments of eight student-athletes for this coming fall season. They include Chris Bauman (Spring, Texas), Patrick Clendenny (High Ridge, Mo.), Keoki Haole (Kapolei, Hawaii), Jonathan Lester (Fort Worth, Texas), Ariel Osorio (Makakilo, Hawaii), Brock Tomlinson (Hoffman Estates, Ill.), Walberto Vasquez (Houston, Texas), and Tyler Williams (Springfield, Mo.). Five of SMU's newest members hail from outside the state of Texas.

"We are ecstatic to have these recruits join us at SMU," states Hyndman. "This is a very good class for us. Each of these players fill an important need for us as we continue our quest for the College Cup. I expect immediate contributions from each of one these young men."

Bauman, a 5-10 defender, attends Klein High School in Spring, Texas. A four-year letterwinner, he is a 2006 NSCAA All-America selection and was named the 2006 NSCAA Texas state Player of the Year. In addition, Bauman was awarded the 2006 District 14-5A Offensive MVP, first-team All-District, and served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons. His high school team was a 2006 Texas 5A regional finalist and claimed the State Championship in 2005. Bauman is also a member of the club team TSC Texans who were the 2004 State Champions and Regional Finalists. Moreover, Bauman volunteered his time with Northwest Assistance Ministries during Hurricane Katrina and Rita, loading and delivering food to those displaced by the storms. He is the son of Chris and Tracy Bauman.

Clendenney, a 5-10 defender, attends Chaminade College Preparatory in St Louis, Mo. The 2006 Missouri State Defensive Player of the Year earned first team All-Metro, All-State and All-Midwest Region honors in 2006. Clendenny was also awarded team co-MVP in 2006 and was selected as the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. In addition, he is currently a captain of the Scott Gallagher club team, which won the Missouri state championships from 2003-2006. This club team also won the Region II championship last year and was a region finalist in 2004 and 2005. Clendenny also volunteers his time with the St. Louis City Catholic Food Pantry and most recently went to Chennai, India, caring for people inflicted with leprosy. His parents are Joe and Patricia Clendenny.

Haole, a 5-6 forward/midfielder, attends Kapolei High School in Kapolei, Hawaii. A two-year team captain, he earned second team All-Star honors in 2005-06 and was named Rookie of the Year in 2003 and 2004. Last year, Haole participated in the U-18 U.S. national men's training camp and was part of the national team pool in 2004. In addition, he was a member of the ODP Region IV team and the ODP Hawaii state team for the past three years. Haole participated in the 2005 ODP Region IV Argentina Festival, the 2006 ODP Region IV Germany Invitational, and has served as team captain of the Real Soccer Club. In addition, Haole finds time to volunteer at the Kapuna Wai Ola Nursing Home to work with the elderly. He is the son of Jon and Melodee Haole.

Lester, a 6-1 goalkeeper, attends Crowley High School in Crowley, Texas and was named first-team All-District 6-4A team in 2005. A member of the Region III ODP team (2004-06), Lester also participates as a member of the North Texas 89 ODP state team (2003-06). He was invited to play in the Region III ODP trip to Italy (2004) and Spain (2006). Listed as one of the Top 100 recruits by Top Drawer Soccer.com, Lester is the starting goalkeeper for the DFW Tejanos soccer club. He is a Church Youth Member and Special Ed Athletics Volunteer. Jonathon is the son of Gerald and Debra Lester.

Osorio, a 5-9 midfielder, attends Kamehameha High School in Honolulu, Hawaii and earned team MVP honors in 2006. Named to the 2006 All-Star first team, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Competitor Award (2006). A member of the Region IV ODP team (2003-06), Osorio also participates with the Hawaii state team (2003-06). He was invited to the U-18 U.S. men's national team camp last year as well as the ODP adidas-Elite soccer program (2005, 2006). In addition, Osorio played in the ODP Thanksgiving Interregional adidas F-50 All-Star team event in 2003 and the ODP All-Star event during the Argentina International Festival in 2005. During his spare time, Osorio volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and homeless shelters. He is the son of Ariel Osorio and Jade Rodriguez.

Tomlinson, a 5-11 goalkeeper, attends St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. Named the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, he earned 2006 All-Area, All-Conference and All-Sectional honors. Last season, he established a school record with a .061 goals-against-average. Tomlinson is a member of the Chicago Magic soccer club, which earned the state championship five times, regional championships three times, as well as the Y-League national title. He also is very active within his high school as a Peer Tutor, Peer Mediator, and is a participant within the student council. His parents are Bob and Lori Tomlinson.

Vasquez, a 6-0 forward/midfielder, attends Cypress Falls High School in Houston, Texas, which won the district championship in 2004 and 2005. He earned All-District second team honors (2004-05). Vasquez was the first player to be selected to the Houston Dynamo Youth Academy and was named the 2007 Athlete to Watch by the Houston Chronicle. A member and current captain of the Region II Pool/Team from 2004-06, he also participated with the South Texas state team (2003-06). He performed in the Region III ODP Interregional Tournament and Vasquez' club team, the Houstonians, earned state cup championship honors from 2004-06. He volunteers to tutor ESL students within his high school. He is the son of Jorge and Ana Vasquez.

Williams, a 5-9 midfielder, serves as team captain (2006-07) for his Kickapoo High School team. He garnered All-State and All Southwest Region honors in 2007 as well as team Offensive MVP honors in 2004. A three-time All-Conference and All-District selection, Williams was named to the Missouri ODP team (2003-07) and a member of the Scott Gallagher soccer club (U-18) that won the Region II title in 2006 and placed third in the 2006 national championships. The club team won the Missouri state title (2003-06). He volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and is the son of Doug and Diane Williams.

[mustangbill67]

Interesting, only one Dallas area player and he is a keeper. By my count, we had 27 players on the final roster last season, 5 of whom were seniors. We had 2 announced transfers (Seth Tamminga and Ben Hemkens) and 3 freshman commits (Jared Champlin, Casey Hibbs and Francisco Alvarez) who were not on the final roster. I know at least one of these (Hibbs) indicated in the press that he was red shirting. If everyone returns including the non-roster players, we now have 35. I would assume we will also get at least 1 or 2 top rated transfers. It will be interesting to see how this roster shapes up for the fall. We seem to have developed an Hawaii connection, I guess based on Duke's success here. Last year we had one and now Schellas has signed two more.

[PonyPride]

Both Hawaii signees were in the Western U.S.'s U-16 ODP pool, I think.

What makes you think SMU will land transfers? Got four last year (Scott Geppert, Ben Shuleva and the Mariel brothers), but that has never really been Coach Hyndman's M.O., has it?

[Water Pony]

Glad to see us recruiting in Chicagoland. Smart move. First of many I hope.

[mustangbill67]

Both Hawaii signees were in the Western U.S.'s U-16 ODP pool, I think.

What makes you think SMU will land transfers? Got four last year (Scott Geppert, Ben Shuleva and the Mariel brothers), but that has never really been Coach Hyndman's M.O., has it?

My memory is too short to comment on Schellas' M.O. over his career at SMU, but it seems based on recent history that he is willing to take highly rated transfers. In addition to the four you mentioned, last year he also announced that Tamminga and Hemkens were transfering to SMU but they did not end up on the season roster. I do not know what happened with these guys. In addition, both Chevannes (Clemson) and Jordan Mann (Furman) were transfers. So we had three transfers starting last season with Mann and the Mariels also getting playing time.

[EastStang]

Wow, that's a deep line-up. 35 or so in camp in August, should be interesting. I am sure that some of these freshman will be red-shirted perhaps both goalies. Both of the Hawaiian guys while great players may need to bulk up. The defenders look a little on the small side in height, but our back line did have some graduations so there might be some opportunities there.