MEN'S SOCCER SIGNS FOUR TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT
2/27/2012
Men's soccer signed four players to NLIs for the 2012 season.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State men's soccer team and head coach Michael Linenberger have announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 recruiting class.
Edwin Luna, Mason McCann, Cesar Mendoza and Nate Nugen will all begin their Sacramento State careers next season.
“We are excited about this class," Linenberger said. "We lost six seniors off last year’s team and a lot of experience. We think this class is one of the deepest we’ve ever signed and we think they can help us win a Big West Conference championship in the near future.”
EDWIN LUNA - F San Jose, Calif./Lincoln HS (PAC Tigres)
Competed with the U17 U.S. Men's National Team last year at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Fla....played varsity soccer at Overfelt HS before transferring to Lincoln HS...named Overfelt's freshman athlete of the year in 2009...scored 19 goals and 11 assists in his senior season at Lincoln...played with the PAC Tigres club team, winning North State championships in 2010 and 2011. TopDrawerSoccer.com Commitment Article
Linenberger: “We are very excited about Edwin. He has the ability to be one of the top playmakers on the West Coast. He’s a creative attacking player. He has stuff you can’t coach. He is very similar to Ernesto Carranza, who was a phenomenal player for us.”
MASON McCANN - D Sacramento, Calif./Sheldon HS/American River JC
A four-year varsity starter at Sheldon HS before playing two seasons at American River JC...a two-time all-Delta River League selection in HS and a two-time all-Big 8 Conference selection at JC...led ARC in scoring with nine goals in 2010 despite playing defender....had 40 total goals in his final two seasons at Sheldon HS...played with BOCA and NorCal Elite club teams.
Linenberger: “We felt we needed a veteran center back because it’s a tough position for a freshman to play. He is fantastic in the air. Great leader, great personality. We think he’ll come in and solidify our back line right away.”
CESAR MENDOZA - MF San Jose, Calif./Lincoln HS (PAC Tigres)
A four-year varsity starter at Lincoln HS, most recently under head coach Ryan Edwards...scored Lincoln's lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Watsonville in the Central Coast Section quarterfinals as a senior...played with the PAC Tigres club team, winning North State championships in 2010 and 2011...brother, Lius Mendoza, is a defender at San Francisco State.
Linenberger: “A very skilled soccer player. Great passer, great feet. Very cerebral, reads the field well. Another great personality and leader. He will contribute right away.”
NATE NUGEN - F/MF Citrus Heights, Calif./Bella Vista HS (CDA)
A four-year starter for head coach Zack Contreras at Bella Vista HS...named all-Capital Valley League as a sophomore and junior...helped Bella Vista to league titles in 2008 and 2010...scored 25 goals with 12 assists in his junior season...competed with the CDA club team, which had five Div. I signees this year.
Linenberger: “Very good local product. He has a lot of tremendous qualities - he is competitive, works extremely hard, can play anywhere on the front line or midfield, he can score goals. He will be an immediate impact player for us.”
