PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots men’s soccer team is adding five newcomers to its roster for the 2011 season, announced Portland head coach and Director of Soccer Bill Irwin. Derek Boggs (Sandy, Utah/Alta HS), Michael Escobar (Saratoga, Calif./Bellarmine College Prep), Kyle Foster (Salem, Ore./South Salem HS), Matt Liberator (Federal Way, Wash./Jesuit HS) and Mitchell Lurie (Alpharetta, Ga./Chattahoochee HS) have each signed a National Letter of Intent and will join Portland as freshmen next fall.

 

“We’re extremely happy with this recruiting class,” said Irwin. “These five guys are definitely going to challenge the players we already have here for starting positions. We’re really excited about this class and we can’t wait to get them here in August. It’s going to be a fun preseason for us.”

 

Derek Boggs (6-1, 180) will be a four-year letterwinner for Alta High School following the upcoming spring season. A three-time first-team all-conference selection, Boggs earned First Team All-State as a junior and garnered second-team honors as a sophomore in 2009. A central midfielder, Boggs helped the Hawks reach the Utah State Semifinals as a freshman, while the team reached the quarterfinals in 2010. Alta also won the regional title during his sophomore and junior campaigns. As a junior, Boggs led the team in assists and tied for the team-high in goals.

 

Boggs was team captain of both the Utah ODP (2004-09) and the regional team, while earning Inter Regional All-Star recognition in 2009. Also a team captain of his club team, Boggs helped lead the squad to state titles in both 2009 and 2010. His club team reached the regional finals in 2010.

 

“Derek is a quality player who is strong and good on the ball,” said Irwin. “He will add a lot for us in the middle of the field with his physicality and his size. In the last two years we’ve lost two very good midfielders, so he will come in and challenge the guys we have now.

 

Michael Escobar (5-11, 150) is a midfielder/forward at Bellarmine College Prep. As a sophomore in 2008, he led his team in goals, helping the Bells to a 17-3-6 record and to a West Catholic Athletic League title. The Bells also claimed the Central Coast Section and were semifinalists at the 2008 Nautical Cup in San Diego. A member of the De Anza Force Academy, Escobar received a National Super Y tryout.

 

“Michael is a good player who can score goals,” noted Irwin. “He is very technical and is skillful on the ball.”

 

Kyle Foster (6-1, 180) is a goalkeeper who earned three varsity letters for the South Salem Saxons. Foster, who was named First Team All-Central Valley Conference twice, was named first team all-state as a senior last fall. He landed on Oregon’s All State Second Team following his junior campaign. A team captain and team MVP, Foster helped the Saxons win the Oregon 6A State Title in 2009, while going undefeated. South Salem reached the state semi-finals in 2010 and the Saxons claimed the league championship all three years. Foster set a school, league and state record as a junior by allowing just five goals. His goals against average of 0.33 was also a school record.

 

A member of ODP, Foster won state titles with his club team in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

 

“Kyle is a good-sized ball stopper,” Irwin said. “I’ve watched Kyle for a few years and he continues to get better and better. He comes to us with a very good resume and we’re excited to have him. He definitely has a bright future for us.”

 

Matt Liberator (5-7, 145) plays center back for Jesuit High School. A three-year letterwinner, Liberator earned First Team All-Metro League and honorable mention all-state last fall. He was also named Team MVP after previously earning Newcomer of the Year in 2008. Liberator, who led the team in assists as a junior, helped the Crusaders win the Oregon 6A State Title in 2010. Jesuit, which won the Metro League title in both 2009 and 2010, was a state semi-finalist in 2009 and reached the state quarterfinals in 2008.

 

Liberator has played for FC Portland since 2004 and he reached the state finals with his club team in 2008. FC finished seventh at the Manchester United Cup in 2006, won the Portland Cup three times and claimed the Crossfire Championship in 2009.

 

“Matt is a very good defender and he’s very good in the air,” said Irwin. “He’s not the tallest of players, but he’s tough and his timing is impeccable. We know a lot about him from his days at FC and we know we’re getting a good player.”

 

Mitchell Lurie (6-2, 160) earned four letters as a defender for Chattahoochee High School. He helped the Cougars win the 2008 regional championship, going 16-0-1 overall. He also earned the 2008 Coach’s Award and was a team captain in 2010 and 2011.

 

Lurie was a member of the Georgia ODP for four years and participated at the Region 3 Camp from 2005 until 2008. He won a Georgia State Championship with his club team in 2006 and competed in the USSF Developmental Academy. His club team also claimed the 2008 Disney Showcase Championship.

 

“Mitch is good-sized, has a good left foot and he gets forward well,” Irwin said. “He’s going to be a great asset for us at that left back position. He’s also decent in the air and he has a lot of experience at the club level.”