Ismael Echeverria, Eric Ortiz and Ryan Rhoads make up the incoming freshman class while Juan Carlos Cortez joins the squad as a junior college transfer.

Echeverria is a defender and defensive midfielder from Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove, Calif. A four-year varsity player, he was a two-time Delta League selection from 2001-02. Echeverria has also served as the Cardinalsl team captain the past two seasons.

Ortiz, a native of Perris, Calif., is a wide defender from Perris High School. A first team all-Sunbelt selection in 2001, Ortiz was named the Panthers’ captain in 2000 and 2001 and also earned team MVP honors in 2001. Ortiz was also a member of the CA-S State Olympic Development team in 2000 and 2001.

Rhoads, a wide midfielder, currently plays for Beyer High School in Modesto, Calif. A two-year team captain and MVP from 2001-02, Rhoads recorded 42 goals and 34 assists in three seasons with the Patriots and was named The Modesto Bee’s Player of the Year in 2002. Rhoads led the Patriots to a pair of Central California Conference titles in 2000 and 2002 while also earning all-CCC and all-district honors in 2001 and 2002. In the classroom, Rhoads earned academic all-CCC honors from 2000-02 while also earning the Excellence in Academic and Athletics award in 2000 and 2002. Rhoads was also a member of the CA-N State ODP team from 1998-2001.

Cortez is a central defender from DeAnza College in San Jose, Calif. Cortez led the Dons to consecutive Coast Conference championships from 2001-02 while also earning all-CC honors during those seasons. Cortez was named all-NorCal in 2002 after finishing with five goals and five assists as the Dons’ team captain. In high school, Cortez was a 2000 graduate of Overfelt High School in San Jose. A four-year varsity player for the Royals, Cortez was a team captain and an all-Central Coast Section selection from 1999-00.