PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland Pilots men's soccer head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt officially announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Included in the group are four recruits who are ranked nationally in the top 120 players in the country and three international players.
Portland is coming off a
No. 17 nationally ranked recruiting class in 2016, and this year's group of newcomers has been tabbed as a
top-20 class by Top Drawer Soccer.
The Portland Pilots men's soccer program will be adding seven freshmen to the roster as Kevin Capelão (Lisbon, Portugal/International School of The Hague), Luca Defreitas-Hansen (Weston, Fla./Cypress HS), Easton Embley (Layton, Utah/Layton HS), Iray Hamuli (Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo/International School of The Hague), Jake Kemhadjian (Encino, Calif./SOCES), Jason Manning (Calabasas, Calif./Agoura HS), Lucas Van Eynde (Antwerp, Belgium/International School of The Hague) have all signed NLI's.
Additionally, transfers Jabari Newton (Oakland, Fla./Montverde Academy/Memphis) and Jason Romero (San Jose, Calif./Evergreen Valley HS/ UCLA) have also joined the program have already been training with the Pilots.
"We are very excited to welcome another group of hard working student-athletes to the Portland soccer family," said Carlin-Voigt. "We brought in committed players who love the game and have a burning desire to improve. Everything here revolves around our team values that drive our habits. All of these players possess great character, hunger and humility that is needed to be a student-athlete at the University of Portland. The bar has been raised by our nine outgoing seniors who will all graduate the program as champions. We have a good core of our team returning and these new additions to our program will help push the competitive spirit of the group as we chase championships and pursue excellence both on and off the field. We will also announce a few more impact players in the weeks ahead. Lastly I would like to give credit to my assistant coaches (Leonard, Logan, and Emerson) for their work in helping recruit the class."
Kevin Capelão
5-8, F/MF
Lisbon, Portugal/International School of The Hague
Club: Quick U19
Kevin Capelão is one of three incoming recruits from the International School of The Hague, which is located in The Netherlands. A team captain, Capelão and fellow recruits Iray Hamuli and Lucas Van Eynde finished third in the ISST Division One European Soccer Tournament twice, and finished second once. Capelão is four-time selection to the All-ISST European Team, and twice he was named to the Top XI of the tournament.
Why UP: "The most important thing in the world for me is family. Joining the Portland Soccer Family has been a very easy choice, as they emphasize that factor clearly. The program is evolving rapidly and I want to be part of that. My father once told me that in order for me to succeed in soccer I would have to defeat the person that I was yesterday, that is how I am going to challenge myself day by day. I am very grateful for this opportunity. GO PILOTS!"
Carlin-Voigt on Capelão: "Kevin really impressed me at our summer ID Camp where he was able to quickly adapt to our culture and training demands. He has ability to play as a 7 or 11 in our system and has the pace and quickness to stretch the game from the flanks. We think he has a lot of potential and upside to develop here in Soccer City USA."
Luca Defreitas-Hansen
6-4, D
Weston, Fla./Cypress HS
Club: Weston Academy
National Ranking: 101st (OwhentheYanks), 111th (Top Drawer Soccer),
Regional Ranking (Florida): 12th (Top Drawer Soccer)
Luca Defreitas-Hansen is a 6-4 center back who starred for the Weston Academy, which was ranked as the No. 1 academy in the nation in 2014. His reached the Elite 8 of the USSDA Playoffs in 2016 and won the 2016 Disney Showcase top division. Defreitas-Hansen was invited to trial with Everton FC (England) and Atletico Mineiro (Brazil) in 2015. In 2015 he was named to the Winter Showcase U16 Development Academy Best XI.
His Weston Academy club was a four-time participant in the USSDA Showcase, and they played in the USSDA Playoffs three times. They also competed at the Manchester United Premier Cup in 2014 in England and the Mediterranean International Cup in Spain in 2015.
Defreitas-Hansen has participated in U.S Soccer National Team Training Camps, and he played with the ODP Region 3 Team. He was also recruited by St. John's, Marquette, Wisconsin, UCF, Army and Providence.
Why UP: "I chose the University of Portland to excel as an athlete, student and a person in general and it has all the pieces to do that. Being a soccer school and city, the drive and support to become a top college program is unmatched as they have already begun to show that with Coach Carlin-Voigt's winning philosophy. It is a school that will challenge me and help me reach my full potential and I can't wait to get started."
Carlin-Voigt on Defreitas-Hansen: "Luca comes from a great family and successful club environment at Weston. He's a robust center back who's very strong in the air and comes from a winning pedigree. As he adapts to the speed of college soccer we think he has potential to develop and grow in our program. We are excited Luca selected Portland and welcome him to the Bluff."
Easton Embley
5-8, MF
Layton, Utah/Layton HS
Club: La Roca
National Ranking: 67th (Owhentheyanks)
Easton Embley is a midfielder who helped the Layton High School Lancers reach the state playoffs all four years, which included two trips to the semifinals. A two-time 5A All-Area Selection, Embley was named to the Desert News 5A First Team and the Salt Lake Tribune 5A Second Team.
Embley was on the U14 U.S. National Team, and he played for Utah ODP and the Region IV Team. Embley helped his team win the ODP National and Regional Championships and he was named to the Top XI at ODP Nationals. He was also selected as the "Man of the Match" at the 2015 ODP Interregional, in addition to landing in the Region IV Top 18 and the ODP Interregional Top XI.
His La Roca club team won the state championship and competed at the Region IV Regionals from 2014-16.
Why UP: "From the first moment I stepped on the campus I fell in love with it. This program is one of the best in the country when it comes to education, facilities, coaches, and players, and nothing can compare to Merlo Field and the fans that come out to support. I can't wait to put in the work up there and play for the people of Portland!"
Carlin-Voigt on Embley: "Easton performed well at our spring ID Camp and really wanted to be a Pilot. He is a very clean passer of the ball and has the ability to operate deeper in the midfield to link the game. Easton is not only an accomplished youth soccer player but an excellent student. We look forward to helping him adjust to the physical demands of college soccer. "
Iray Hamuli
5-9, F/MF
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo/International School of The Hague
Club: Velo U19
Iray Hamuli is part of the trio from the International School of The Hague. Hamuli, Capelão and Van Eynde were instrumental is leading the Silverbacks to a pair of third-place finishes and a second place finish at the ISST Division One European Soccer Tournament. Hamuli was chosen to the ISST Division One European Soccer Tournament All-Star Team in both 2015 and 2016.
Why UP: "There are several reasons as to why I chose to attend the University of Portland, which includes knowing that the University is very successful academically. I strive to be successful both on and off the field. Moreover from my previous experience at the summer camp, I know that the campus and the facilities are of the best quality. I also know that the coaches and the players will help me become the best version of myself. Along with the fact that the University of Portland can provide me with many opportunities in the future as it is also known as Soccer City USA. I can't wait to be a Pilot!"
Carlin-Voigt on Hamuli: "Iray is another player we discovered through our ID Camp system after working with him the previous summer. He has a natural ability to score goals and is very polished and confident in front of goal. Iray is hungry to make an impact and I know he will push our current group of attacking players, while learning from our more experienced players."
Jake Kemhadjian
5-9, MF
Encino, Calif./SOCES
Club: Real SoCal Academy
National Ranking: 119th (Top Drawer Soccer)
Regional Ranking (California): 10th
Jake Kemhadjian, a midfielder, has played with Real So Cal in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy since 2013. Currently Real So Cal is the highest scoring Academy team in the country with 62 goals. A teammate of fellow incoming Portland recruit Jason Manning, Kemhadjian scored 16 goals with the U16's to help lead the team to the USSDA Final 8. He currently has eleven goals with the U18's, and he played at the MIC Tournament in Barcelona, Spain, in 2013 and the Dale Farm MILK Cup in Ireland in 2015.
Why UP: "Portland is considered Soccer City USA so of course that is something I wanted to be a part of. Add to that the exceptional coaching staff at UP, I know great things will be coming out of the Pilot program and I'm excited to be a part of it. The fans are great, the fields are beautiful and the students are enthusiastic!"
Carlin-Voigt on Kemhadjian: "Jake has received excellent training at Real SoCal and has outstanding character, which is the first thing we evaluate in the recruiting process. Jake is another player we really were able to get to know better through our Spring ID Camp. The more you see Jake the more you realize all of the small things he does to help his team. He seems to have that innate ability to be at the right place at the right time that is hard to teach. He's very hard working with a quick soccer brain and technical proficiency to play in multiple spots. His academy team is currently leading the country in goals and Jake is a big part of their attack."
Jason Manning
5-8, MF/F
Calabasas, Calif./Agoura HS
Club: Real So Cal Academy
National Ranking: 28th (Owhentheyanks), 65th (Top Drawer Soccer)
Regional Ranking (California): 6th (Top Drawer Soccer)
Manning has scored 48 goals in three years for Real So Cal, and he was named the Academy's U14 Player of the Year. With the U16's, Manning finished eighth in the US Soccer Development Academy West Division with 17 goals on the season, and he currently has eleven goals this season. He's a club teammate of fellow UP recruit Jake Kemhadjian, and he was named a U.S. Development Playoff Standout by Top Drawer Soccer. Manning was also recruited by New Mexico, San Diego State, UC Irvine, CSUN, Navy and LMU.
Why UP: "Portland is the best fit for me because I believe greatness comes from change. I could tell with the culture and soccer atmosphere in Portland that I would be able to chase greatness both on and off the field."
Carlin-Voigt on Manning: "Jason is very driven and passionate player who has a good competitive edge. He demands excellence out of himself and his teammates, which will help him transition to our program. Jason has the ability to break open the game at any given time. He will continue to give us options to attack teams in different ways as his ability to create goal scoring situations will allow the fans to enjoy watching him play. Jason was very excited to join our program and will have a very good career here on the Bluff."
Jabari Newton
5-10, D
Oakland, Fla./Montverde Academy/Memphis
Jabari Newton made 21 starts and 25 overall appearances in two years at outside back for the Memphis Tigers. He contributed to five shutouts with the Tigers, and he logged more than 2,000 minutes on the pitch.
Previously, Newton was named a Top Drawer Soccer First Team Winter All-American as a defender for Montverde Academy. He helped anchored a defense that allowed only three goals en route to the team's 21-0 season. During Newton's stay, the No. 1 ranked Montverde Academy program extended its undefeated streak to 117 matches over four seasons.
Carlin-Voigt on Newton: "Jabari comes in from Montverde Academy, which arguably is the best producer of winners in our country. He will fight for playing time at the outside back position and provide depth for our team as he transitions to our program. Jabari fully knows the opportunity at hand here on the Bluff and we look forward to seeing him adapt to our culture."
Jason Romero
5-11, F
San Jose, Calif./Evergreen Valley HS/UCLA
Jason Romero is a forward who comes to The Bluff from UCLA with one year of eligibility remaining. He made five starts in his one year with the Bruins, while making 11 overall appearances. Romero scored a pair of goals, which included UCLA's lone goal during a 1-1 draw with No. 4 Maryland.
Previously, Romero was named NJCAA Division I First Team All-American and ACCAC Division I Player of the Year while playing for Pima CC. In 23 games, he scored a school-record 32 goals, and added 12 assists. He led Pima CC to a 21-4-2 record and a third place finish in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. He was widely considered the top Junior College recruit in the West Coast last year. As a youth player, Jason was part of the U-18 National Team Pool and played for De Anza Force where he was one of the most prolific scorers in the country. He was also recruited by Cal, San Diego State, UC Irvine, UCSB, San Francisco and Washington.
Carlin-Voigt on Romero: "Jason has a good track record of putting the ball in the back of the net. He's very clinical and a good ball striker in and around the box. He will help us balance our attack and give us options. Jason knows what he needs to do to reach his full potential and the rest will be up to him to make it happen. He knows nothing will be given to him and he will have to earn every minute on the field. I know he's excited to join the Portland program and quickly adapt to our culture and demands on both sides of the ball. I look forward to working with Jason to help him unlock his full potential."
Lucas Van Eynde
5-8, MF/F
Antwerp, Belgium/International School of The Hague
Club: Quick19
The third member of the incoming class from the International School of The Hague,
Lucas Van Eynde was the top scorer at the 2016 ISST Tournament. A three-time selection to the All-ISST European Team, Van Eynde helped his team finish second at the ISST Division One European Soccer Tournament, and his side claimed two third-place finishes as well.
Why UP: "Choosing to become a Pilot was as an easy decision. The importance of soccer for UP, the knowledgeable staff and its ambitions, the unseen quality of Merlo Field … Everything lives and breathes soccer. And so do I."
Carlin-Voigt on Van Eynde: "Lucas is a very versatile player who's technically clean. He will give us depth in a few different spots. He's another player who wanted to be at Portland and came over the summer to work with us in our residential ID Camp. He has a good balance of humility and competitive grit to his game. We think he can play 3-4 different positions. If he's patient and continues to develop he will find his opportunity to help the program down the road."
