Saturday, February 4, 2012

Six players, including a trio from Boise High School, have committed to attend Seattle Pacific University next year to play soccer.

All six of the Falcons signees are from the Northwest, including Washington natives Ian Adams , a forward from Shorecrest High School in Shoreline and midfielder Davis Karacia from Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie.

The three recruits from 2011 state champion Boise High School are midfielder Garrett Jones along with defenders Bryson Pavel and Graham Reid . All three are members of the Idaho Rush that won the state club title.

"I believe this will be the first time that we've taken three players from the same team. Garrett, Bryson and Graham are as excited to be Falcons as we are to have them, which is exactly what we're looking for in the recruiting process," said coach Mark Collings, who directed SPU into the West Region championship game of the 2011 NCAA Division II tournament.

"They're coming off of a year in which they won the Idaho High School state championship and the club soccer state championship. We're hoping that this championship run will continue at SPU."

The Falcons raided another neighboring state, this time Oregon, to sign midfielder Matt Merchant from Central Catholic in Portland.

IAN ADAMS
Forward, 5-10, 160, Shoreline, Wash. (Shorecrest HS/Crossfire Academy)

Ian Adams was a first-team All-Wesco honoree in 2011, who also garnered all-state recognition. He helped lead Shorecrest to the Washington state Class 3A championship in 2009, capping a run of 19 consecutive victories. Adams was a freshman on that squad and scored the first goal in the sixth minute of the Scots 5-2 victory over West Valley.

"It's always difficult to find good attacking players, but we have found one in Ian Adams. He's strong, fast and has a desire to score goals. Last year he played as a center back with the Crossfire Academy team, so it's been fun to watch him evolve as more of an attacking player this season."

GARRETT JONES
Midfielder, 5-9, 145, Boise, Idaho (Boise HS/Idaho Rush)

Garrett Jones was listed as the Northwest's No. 17 recruit in the Top Drawer Soccer ratings. He scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over defending champion Borah in the 2011 Idaho state Class 5A championship game. Jones tallied nine goals and distributed a league-high 18 assists during his senior season. He also lettered in basketball. Jones helped lead the Idaho Rush to three state championships, including the 2011 title. He was a high school and club teammate of SPU signees Graham Reid and Bryson Pavel.

"Garrett is going to provide us with another option in the midfield. He's a fierce competitor and his left foot will give us some depth on the left side of the field. We feel like Garrett's ability to both create and score goals will add a new piece to our current group.

DAVIS KARACIA
Midfielder, 6-1, 180, Snoqualmie, Wash. (Mt. Si HS/Eastside FC)

Davis Karacia was a first-team All-KingCo 3A selection as a junior. He helped Mt. Si High School place sixth in the 2010 Washington state tournament. Karacia led Eastside FC to the three straight state club titles. Eastside finished third at the 2011 national championships in Phoenix, Ariz.

"We've been fortunate to have strong center backs over the last few years and believe that Davis will be the next one to keep that tradition going. His athleticism and ability to read the game have helped lead his club team's defensive effort and ultimately a number of championships."

MATT MERCHANT
Midfielder, 5-11, 155, Portland, Ore. (Central Catholic HS/FC Portland Academy)

A first-team all-conference selection in each of his final three prep seasons, Matt Merchant helped lead Central Catholic to four consecutive league championships. He served as team captain the last four years (2008-12) for his FC Portland Academy squad.

"I'm really excited about Matt and his ability to control the play in the midfield. He's had a lot of good coaching at FC Portland and we look forward to him holding down the center of the park. We feel like Matt is going to fill our need for a box to box player."

BRYSON PAVEL
Defender, 6-0, 160, Boise, Idaho (Boise HS/Idaho Rush)

Bryson Pavel helped lead Boise High School to the 2011 Idaho state Class 5A championship. He was a first-team all-state and all-conference selection as a senior. Pavel helped lead the Idaho Rush to the 2011 state club championships. He was a high school and club teammate of SPU signees Garrett Jones and Graham Reid.

"He will most likely join his teammate on the backline. However, he may find some time in the midfield because of his attacking mentality. He's comfortable on the ball and likes to get forward which is something that we need from our outside backs."

GRAHAM REID
Defender, 5-10, 160, Boise, Idaho (Boise HS/Idaho Rush)

A four-star recruit, Graham Reid was listed No. 6 among Northwest players in the Top Drawer Soccer ratings. He helped Boise High School capture the 2011 Idaho state Class 5A championship. Reid amassed eight goals and 17 assists in three seasons of prep soccer. He helped lead the Idaho Rush to three state championships, including the 2011 title. Reid was a high school and club teammate of SPU signees Garrett Jones and Bryson Pavel.

"Graham was one of our first commitments last summer and we expect him to play in the back for us. He's a leader and we really like his tactical awareness. We feel like he can play both center back and on the outside for us."