SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University head men's soccer coach Einar Thorarinsson announced the addition of six players joining the Bulldogs.
The group features two forwards, three midfielders and a goalkeeper. The six-player class has two Washington natives in forwards Denis Kalamar from Shoreline and Jake Kempf from Camas. The group of three midfielders includes Alec Johnson from nearby Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Brayden Sullivan from Carmichael, Calif., and Garrett Wilson from Eagle, Colo. Goalkeeper Toby Holstein hails from Lake Oswego, Ore.
"This year's class is heavier on the attacking side than the 2014 group, and every bit as good," Thorarinsson said. "I think we have a group of competitive guys that will be able to contribute right away, and we have the benefit of several already being on campus and training with the team."
| Toby Holstein |
| Goalkeeper | Lake Oswego, Ore. | Lakeridge HS/Portland Timbers Academy |
Competed for the Portland Timbers Academy for three years as a member of the U16 team for one year and U18 for two years…Played on Lakeridge High School team as a freshman, earning second team all-conference honors…Member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes…Named Student All-Star twice, Student of the Semester once and Student of the Quarter 12 times…Also played four years on the Oregon Olympic Development Program prior to joining the Timbers Academy. Thorarinsson on Holstein: "Toby will be an imposing figure in goal with his 6'4" frame and huge wingspan. Toby communicates well out of the back, is strong in the air and takes care of all the routine tasks that a successful college goalkeeper needs to master. Playing at a very high level with the Timbers Academy will be excellent preparation for next year." |
| Alec Johnson |
| Midfielder | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Lake City HS/Idaho Thunder/North Idaho College |
Transferred from North Idaho College after helping lead the Cardinals to the NWAC title game and a 17-2-2 record… Earned NWAC East All-Region and NSCAA All-Region honors…Earned First Team honors as a senior at Lake City HS and competed for the Idaho Thunder and Coeur d'Alene Sting. Enrolled at Gonzaga in spring 2015 Thorarinsson on Johnson: "Alec was among the top midfielders in the NWAACC, he is an athletic and hardworking soccer player. Alec is very good in the air both defensively and on restarts, and provides quality possession that is much needed in the midfield. He will benefit tremendously by training with us this winter and spring and already has two years of college experience under his belt at North Idaho College." |
| Denis Kalamar |
| Forward | Shoreline, Wash. | Shorewood HS/Seattle Sounders Academy/UCSB |
Transferred from UC-Santa Barbara after appearing in three matches and scoring one goal for the Gauchos, who went 10-7-3…Competed for Seattle Sounders Academy team during high school…Scored 29 goals over three seasons for the Sounders Academy…Member of Olympic Development Program and part of US Youth National U14 team in 2010…Carried a 3.83 GPA at Shorewood HS…Enrolled at Gonzaga in spring 2015. Thorarinsson on Kalamar: "Denis is a dangerous front runner with a history of scoring goals at a high level. His experience with a very good Sounders Academy team was excellent preparation for college soccer and we are happy to have him join us this semester. He can break down opponents in a variety of ways, Denis is an excellent, hardworking, attacking player." |
| Jake Kempf |
| Forward | Camas, Wash. | Camas HS/Portland Timbers Academy |
Competed for Portland Timbers Academy for three seasons…Led team in goals and ranked near top of team in assists during U16 season in 2012-13…Also played in Portland Timbers reserve games…Prior to 2012, competed for the Seattle Sounders Academy…Enrolled at Gonzaga in spring 2015. Thorarinsson on Kempf: "Jake is a hard working attacker who can also help in multiple areas. He's quick and is not shy about finding ways to score. The high level of competition with the Timbers Academy and spending this semester at Gonzaga will undoubtedly prepare Jake well for the upcoming season." |
| Brayden Sullivan |
| Midfielder | Carmichael, Calif. | El Camino Fundamental HS/Placer United 97 Gold |
Earned league MVP honors as a sophomore and junior and led HS team in scoring all four years…Also earned second team All-City honors once and team MVP honors four times…Scored 53 goals in final two HS years and led team in assists all four years…Helped lead club team, Placer United, to No. 3 national team ranking, leading team in assists and ranking second on the team in goals scored…Helped lead Placer United to Thanksgiving Surf Cup Championship in 2013, Davis Legacy Showcase Championship in 2014, National Premier League Semi-finals 2014; Summer Surf Cup Championship in 2014, and Greensborough, North Carolina National Championship in 2014… Thorarinsson on Sullivan: "Brayden is a good attacking player who can help us on the left side, as an attacking midfielder and up front. He's quick, skillful and combines well in the final third with a good nose for the goal. The NPL in California is very competitive and Placer is among the top teams which will benefit Brayden significantly." |
| Garrett Wilson |
| Midfielder | Eagle, Colo. | Vail Christian HS/Colorado Rush |
Ranked No. 80 overall player and No. 21 defender by Top Drawer Soccer…Team captain of U18 Colorado Rush…Scored seven goals over three years as defensive midfielder for Rush…Played on U15/16 and U18 USSDA teams…Reached national quarterfinals for USSDA Attended Battle Mountain High School as a freshman, helping lead the team to a state 4A quarterfinal appearance…Member of National Honor Society and Honor Roll. Thorarinsson on Wilson: "Garrett plays much larger than he appears as he is excellent in the air, defends 1v1 situations well and covers a lot of ground in the back. He is very competitive, has good distribution and his years playing with the Colorado Rush Academy will provide him the necessary experience to be successful at this level." |
