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Feb. 6, 2013

SEATTLE -Signing day 2013 has arrived, and with it the advent of nine new Husky soccer careers. This highly touted group will arrive in Seattle with big shoes to fill. With eight graduating seniors on the current roster, three of whom were MLS draft picks; the Huskies are looking to reload. This talented group of newcomers hopes to do one better and take the Washington men's soccer program to new heights.

This is head coach Jamie Clark's second recruiting class since arriving in Seattle, and he knows this is a class for the ages. This new group has him anxious for August.

"I can't wait for Husky soccer fans to see these guys play," said Clark. "We have recruited a lot of attacking players in this class, and the result will be a lot of goals down the line. Our fans want to see an up tempo attacking team that finds the back of the net with regularity. In time, you are going to witness a lot of players wearing purple and gold that will play exciting, attacking soccer."

The 2013 recruiting class spans the whole west coast, with players representing every state from Washington down to Arizona.

"We are so happy to announce our 2013 recruiting class," Clark continued. "It is the result of searching near and far, looking at the big clubs and also making sure we watched the lesser known teams. We spent endless hours getting to know these young men as soccer players, but just as importantly as people. They are a group of winners, and these young men will help raise the standard of Husky men's soccer."

Ian Bartlett, GK, Crossfire Premier, Redmond, WA

Ian Barlett

Bartlett helped Inter FC of Salt Lake City, Utah win the 2010 State Championship, 2010 UYSA Fall Division and Surf College Cup quarterfinals. After moving to Crossfire Premier, they won the 2012 Academy Surf Cup. He is a 2010 and 2011 Region IV ODP Championship finalist and a two-time RSL Academy Team selection. Bartlett played on the same high school and club team as current Husky defender Taylor Peay.

"Ian is a GK with huge potential," said Clark. "He has an incredible frame for a GK and mixes that with soft hands and very good athleticism. He gets to learn from one of the nation's top GKs, Spencer Richey, when he first arrives, but we expect him to be a big part of our program here in years to come."

Beau Blanchard, MF, Eastside FC, Sammamish, WA

Beau Blanchard

Blanchard plays club soccer for Eastside FC, and his team is arguably the most successful club team in Washington Soccer history. Beau has helped his team win 6 straight State Championships as well as one regional championship in 2011. In High School he was named first-team All-State at Sammamish HS in 2012 as well as being named Team MVP.

"Beau is a winner," said Clark. "He's a heart and soul player that understands just how the game should be played. He reminds me a lot of our recently drafted midfielder Ben Fisk because he is a competitor that will maximize his own potential and bring out the best of those around him. It's no surprise that he's central to his Eastside club team that has had one of the most successful runs of any team in Washington State history."

Danny Gavin, F/MF, RSL-AZ, Phoenix, AZ

Danny Gavin

Gavin plays his club soccer for Real Salt Lake-AZ. For Real Salt Lake, Danny scored nine goals in the 2011-2012 US Soccer Developmental Academy Season. He scored 8 goals in the 2010-2011 season while his team finished 3rd at Nationals. Danny plays High School Soccer for Desert Vista HS and is currently seeking an Arizona High School State Championship. Danny has 15 Goals and 10 Assists in the current season. In 2010 Danny was also invited to attend a US U-17 National Team Camp.

"Danny is an attacking player that quietly goes about scoring a lot of goals," said Clark. "He is a powerful forward, and his work rate is second to none. He makes defenders defend as he challenges them for 90 minutes. He is going to be pain for Pac-12 defenders to deal with for the next few years."

Johnny Knutsen, MF/D, San Jose Earthquakes Academy, San Francisco, CA

Johnny Knutsen

Knutsen currently plays for the San Jose Earthquakes Academy. He is part of team that sits atop the Northwest Division of the Academy and he is part of a defense that is conceding the least goals in the division. Previously, he played with the 2010 CalNorth '94 State Team and attended USYSA Region IV ODP Camp in 2010 and 2011. He also was a part of the 2011 USYSA Region IV ODP Championships.

"Johnny is a very crafty wide midfielder that can also play as a fullback," said Clark. "He is a wide player who is equally comfortable running at players or playing passes. His soccer brain is active and it will allow him to be a crafty wide player at UW. He has played quite a few reserve games for the San Jose Earthquakes showing that he is a player with a big future ahead of him."

James Nosack, MF/F Portland Timber Academy, Vancouver WA

James Nosack

Nosack currently plays for the Portland Timbers Academy which produced former Husky and current Portland Timbers first-team member, Brent Richards. He currently leads the team with 8 Goals in 14 games. In 2011-2012 Season he played for the Seattle Sounders Academy and had 6 Goals on the season. Before the academy, he helped his team to the 2011 ODP National Finals and was named to the ODP Region IV All-Star team.

"James is a very strong central midfielder that can dominate the middle of the park," said Clark. "He has very soft feet for a big physical player and we expect to be able to play through him. Coming from the Sounders and Timbers academy system he has been part of a lot of big games and will enter UW with a lot of great experience."

Jose Ocampo, D, Crossfire Premier, Bothell, WA

Jose Ocampo

Ocampo currently plays for local academy team Crossfire Premier. As a Right Back he has 2 goals in 12 games. TopDrawerSoccer.com lists Jose as the second top recruit in Northwest, and according to Collegesoccernews.com he is the 74 ranked recruit in the entire nation. Ocampo was twice named to the Academy Select Team (2010 & 2012). Additionally, Jose was invited to the U18 US National Team Camp in March of 2012.

"Jose is a fierce tackling fullback who takes great care of the ball," said Clark. "He loves 1v1 battles and nearly always comes out on top. He is also a great passer of the ball and will be expected to be a playmaker out of the back. He has played for top local club Crossfire at the under 18 level for the last four years, and has also been part of the U18 US national team, so will arrive with great playing experience."

Mason Robertson, F, Sereno SC, Phoenix, AZ

Mason Robertson

Robertson just wrapped up his final High School Soccer Season at Pinnacle HS. He has been nominated for 2013 Gatorade Player of the Year after compiling 32 Goals and 10 assists on the year. He is rated as the 40th best recruit in the nation by collegesoccernews.com, and was offered a pro contract at the age of 15 by Reading FC of England. His father David Robertson played professional soccer for Aberdeen, Glasgow Rangers and Leeds United. He is currently the Executive Director for Sereno SC and head coach of Phoenix FC.

"Mason is as talented a player as I've recruited," said Clark. "He has the ability to play anywhere down the middle of park and should find a way to contribute very quickly. He is going to score a lot of goals at Washington as he is brilliant in the air and strikes a cleaner ball than any player I've ever seen. If he keeps scoring the same types of goals I've seen him smash into the net, our fans are in for a treat."

Cristian Roldan, MF, Union Independiente, Pico Rivera CA

Cristian Roldan

Roldan is currently playing High School Soccer for El Rancho HS. This season he has 44 Goals and 22 assists in 22 games with El Rancho. His team is 20-1-1 and they are seeking their second straight State Championship. In 2012 he was named Daily News Player of the Year. He scored 21 goals and 21 assists for his high school team in 2012. Roldan plays his club soccer for Union Independiente who reached the semi-finals of Surf Cup in the fall of 2012.

"Cristian is a special player," said Clark. "He is definitely one of the best three players coming out of Southern California this year, and that means he should be a player that helps our team from day one. He is incredibly balanced as a player. He is just as comfortable taking on players out wide as he is distributing from the middle of the park. He can play all the way up front and score goals or play deep and be a working midfielder. The only question with Cristian is where he will make the biggest impact."

Steven Wright, MF/F, San Juan FC, Fair Oaks CA,br>

Steven Wright

Wright plays his club soccer for San Juan Academy and currently leads the team with 9 goals in 12 games. In the 2011-2012 Academy Season he played for California Development Academy and he recorded four goals on the season. TopDrawerSoccer.com ranked Steven the 119th best player in the nation.

"Steven is a target forward with very soft feet," said Clark. "I had the pleasure of coaching Steven's older brother Chris at New Mexico. Chris went on to be a professional player in Europe and we think Steven could have the same career path. Steven comes from a soccer family with his father, Phil, being a great coach. It's clear that soccer is in his family as he sees things quicker than a lot of other players."