(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Men's Soccer Head Coach Phil Wolf couldn't be more pleased with his incoming recruiting class ahead of the 2023 season, calling it his best during his Point Loma tenure.
 
"Without a doubt, this is the deepest and best class that we have brought in during my time at Point Loma," Wolf said. "Much of the credit should go to Brett Evans who serves as our recruiting coordinator. He has identified young players and experienced college players that should able to compete right away at this level.
 
"Adding these players to our group of returning players makes these exciting days at Point Loma as we look forward to the future."
 
PLNU, which has finished in the top-three in the PacWest in each of the past four seasons, as well as the top-four in each of the last eight, hopes this class helps the Sea Lions take the next step in the conference.
 
Point Loma has signed 16 new players ahead of the 2023 campaign, three of whom were early enrollees this past January and were able to practice with the team during the spring semester.
 
Another four are transfers, including two from the NCAA Division I level, with the final nine being incoming freshman.
 
Early Enrollees
 
#10 Juan Salazar
Forward
Graduate Transfer
San Marcos, Calif.

• 3-year starter at Cal State San Marcos
• Scored 8 goals and 9 assists over 3 seasons
• Led the team in scoring in 2018 with 6 goals and 1 assist

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Juan has been a welcome addition to our team, as he finished up his degree at CSUSM in the fall and joined us this past spring. Juan was our leading scorer this spring as he showed signs of being an elite winger. We look forward to his impact in our group and hope to challenge him to become the complete player that he can be."
 
#24 Gavin Raskulinecz
Defender
Freshman
Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.

• 9 years with Pateadores DA and ECNL 
• 4 years varsity at Santa Margarita HS 
• Scholar-Athlete Award all four years  

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"The younger brother of Austin Lavell, we were fortunate to have Gavin join our team this past spring. Gavin showed through his play this past spring, that he is ready to compete for a starting position this fall. Comfortable on the right or left, Gavin provides us with great flexibility at the outside back."
 
#2 Ryan Doyle
Defender
Freshman
Redondo Beach, Calif.

• 1st Team ECNL Southwest Conference for Beach FC
• CIF Division 2 champions as captain of Redondo Union High School
• 1st Team All-Bay League  

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Although he was forced to delay his original enrollment to Point Loma, we could not be any happier that Ryan was finally able to join us in January. After a brief injury, Ryan showed his real quality. An elite athlete and defender, Ryan is equally comfortable as an outside back or a central defender. We cannot wait to see what kind of player he turns into during his time at Point Loma."
 
Transfers
 
#27 Felix Calero
Forward
Junior
San Diego

• Transfer from St. Mary's College
• 3x Surf Cup winner with San Diego Surf ECNL
• Dallas Cup All-Stars
• 2 National Team camps
• Top goal scorer in West Coast DA U17 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"We are incredibly excited to add a player of Felix's quality to our team in 2023. He had an outstanding youth career at San Diego Surf where he was one of the leading scorers in the Developmental Academy. Felix is a mature player with collegiate experience at St. Mary's. We anticipate Felix to immediately contribute to our attack."
 
#12 Kupa'a Fernandez
Defender
Graduate Transfer
Kailua Kona, Hawaii

• Played four years at Gonzaga University
• Started 14 of 18 games as a senior
• 2018 Surf Cup champions with Kona Krush SC 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Although he has only one year of eligibility as a graduate transfer, we know that Kupa'a is going to have an incredible impact here. Already a proven starter at the collegiate level during his time at Gonzaga, Kupa'a is a real competitor who will add much needed bite to our team. We are also so pleased that he will join his younger brother (Kaelele) for his last season."
 
#20 Gael Ruiz
Midfielder
Junior
San Diego

• Scored 6 goals and tallied 10 assists in two years at San Diego Christian
• 2021 All-GSAC Team
• 1st Team All-CIF and League Player of the Year at Hilltop High School
• Scored 42 goals and added 26 assists in high school career
• ODP Cal South West Regional Team

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"A proven player at the collegiate level, Gael will provide us with great flexibility in the center of midfield. He is a two-way midfielder that will be able to affect the game with and without the ball. He is a very good athlete and should meet the demands of Division II soccer on the west coast right away."
 
#14 Juan Diaz
Defender
Junior
Oceanside, Calif.

• 2021 CIF champion at Rancho Buena Vista High School
• 1st Team All-CIF
• 2022 PCAC Champion with MiraCosta College

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Juan is a mature player who has already played at the university level at Soka University and at MiraCosta under the tutelage of Frank Zimmerman. Juan will provide us with a mature voice in the back four and offer us great stability."
 
Incoming Freshmen
 
#19 Elijah Langford
Forward
Edmond, Okla.
Edmond North High School 

• 2022 Texas All-Regional Team selection
• Selected for the ECNL national selection game 2023 
• 30 goals in the 2023 ECNL season for OKC Energy
• 17 goals in the 2023 high school season.
• 3x 6A All-Conference, 2x 6A All-District, 1x 6A All-State Team 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Elijah has a chance to be a special player at Point Loma. His attacking ability and his hunger in front of goal is a gift that few players have at any level. We cannot wait to work with him and see if we can mold him into an elite attacker."
 
#18 Zachary Mercieca
Forward
Torrance, Calif.
West High School

• 4-year Varsity starter at West High School. 
• 12 goals and 3 assists in 15 high school games
• 12 goals and 2 assists in 16 ECNL games for Beach FC 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Zachary is an exciting prospect who brings a lot to the table. Zachary has a lot of different ways he can challenge the opposing teams back four with and without the ball. He is equally comfortable playing central or in wide positions and should be a real handful over the next four years."
 
#25 Hayden Snyder
Defender
Huntington Beach, CA
Orange Lutheran High School

• 1st Team All-CIF
• All-County and 1st Team All-Trinity League selection
• Led Orange Lutheran HS in goals and assists
• Played for West Coast FC ECNL 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Hayden is going to challenge any player at this level due to his physical qualities. He will start out as an outside back but could move forward depending on how quickly his attacking ability translates to the college game. Hayden is a great fit to our team and university and we look forward to his impact over the next four years."
 
#26 James Metcalfe
Midfielder
Los Alamitos, Calif.
Los Alamitos High School

• All-CIF SS Team
• Sunset League MVP
• Senior Athlete of the Year at Los Alamitos HS
• 2x Surf Cup champion with Steel United

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"In order to play in our game model, we need a central player who can manage the important role of the pivot. We believe we have a great prospect in James to challenge for this all-important role. He is mature beyond his years and is an excellent passer. We believe he has all the attributes to be the link between our back four and attacking group."
 
#16 Anthony Sena
Midfielder
Henderson, Nev.
Coronado High School

• Portland Timbers Academy 
• U-17 First Team All-Southwest ECNL with Heat FC
• Nevada HS Soccer All-Star team
• Coronado HS Player of the Year 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Another candidate for the position of pivot, Anthony brings a wealth of experience at the highest levels of club soccer. He has spent time at Portland Timber Academy, Albion SC in San Diego as well as for Heat FC in Nevada. We believe he has the knowledge, ability, and experience to provide us with an excellent anchor in the center midfield."
 
#29 Santiago Alvarez
Midfielder
Temecula, CA
Great Oak High School

• Played for the Chivas Youth Academy in Mexico
• Also played for Murrieta Soccer Academy MLS 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"An attacking midfielder by nature, we believe Santi has many of the qualities that we need in the demanding position of interior. A technician, Santi will look to provide us with the final pass behind the back four."
 
#17 Zander Hillard
Defender
Carlsbad, Calif.
Carlsbad High School

• Pro+ ODP selection
• U.S. National Team scouting invitation
• Played for City SC MLS

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Zander arrives at the Point from one of the best clubs in the San Diego area at City SC under the direction of Sean Gurley. He has all the tools to be a successful collegiate defender and will provide depth in the back four. We are excited to see how he develops over the next four years."
 
#30 Gavin Pool-Harris
Goalkeeper
Long Beach, Calif.
Wilson High School

• 3x First Team All-Moore League
• 2x Goalkeeper of the Year
• 1x Moore League MVP 
• 1x Press Telegram Dream Team Player of the Year 
• Played 6 years with Pateadores SC ECNL 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Gavin is a highly polished goalkeeper that has what it takes to be successful at this level. A technician, Gavin is as good with his feet as he is with his hands and should help us excel at our build up play. We look forward to his impact on our program."
 
#28 Tristan Fonseca
Defender
Corona, Calif.
Santiago High School

• Southern California ODP Traveling Team
• Played for Legends FC ECNL 

Wolf's Scouting Report:
"Tristan has been developed at a top club at Legends FC and we are excited to watch him continue that development during his time at Point Loma. He is a left back that should provide us with much needed depth in the back four."