Cal State lands two recruits in men's soccer

Cal State San Bernardino’s men’s soccer team has nowhere to go but up when the 2008 season begins in late August and returning players are participating in spring drills and non-traditional season matches to help them get ready.

In the meantime, Head Coach Noah Kooiman has been on the recruiting trail to find replacements for the seven seniors that completed their eligibility on a disappointing note, posting a 5-13-2 record (2-10-2 in the CCAA) in 2007.

Already in the fold for next season are two stars from the Foothill Conference champion Rio Hondo College team that went 19-2-2 last season, 8-0 in the conference before losing to Palomar College in the state tournament. The team was ranked No. 3 in the Southern California region. Both signed national letters of intent to join the Coyotes.

One is Jeremiah Marquez of Whittier, co-captain of the Rio Hondo team who scored three goals and assisted on four others in 2007.

The other is Michael Cirrincione of Diamond Bar, also one of the team captains.

Kooiman is expecting big things from Obi Agwu, who impressed as a freshman with three goals and three assists along with central defender Jeff Meyer, another Rio Hondo product. Other returnees who figure prominently in next season’s plans are Jahmel McDermott, Albert Cabrera, Jorge Aguirre, Harry Cruz and Ryan Larson.

After losing goalkeeper Lucas Pepi to graduation, Kooiman is also looking at Arath De La Rocha and Jorge De Horta as Pepi’s replacement.