UCI men’s soccer recruits ranked 40th in NCAA

The 2008 UC Irvine men’s soccer recruiting class has been ranked No. 40 in the nation by College Soccer News.

Coach George Kuntz’s eight-member class, including three community college transfers, garnered the second-best ranking in the Big West Conference.

“We have added some strong attacking players particularly at the forward and midfield positions,” Kuntz said. “This recruiting class adds size, speed, and skill to an already talented group returning next year. Most importantly these are fine individuals that will represent themselves well at [UCI] as students and as athletes.”

Anteaters newcomers include forward Carlos Aguilar, goalkeeper Victor Chinchilla, both from Taft College, where they won the state championship.

Midfielder Irving Garcia was a National Junior College Athletic Assn. All-American at national champion Yavapai College in Arizona.

Midfielder Norberto Rodriguez was an All-CIF Southern Section honoree at Thousand Oaks High and a two-time “Golden Boot” winner with three-time national champion Real So Cal in the United States Soccer Federation Academy League.

Goalkeeper Elmer Avelar was a two-time All-CIF honoree at Cathedral High and a two-time “Golden Glove” winner with Real So Cal.

Midfielder Daniel Chavez was the Golden West League MVP his senior year at Santa Ana High.

Everett Pitts, a 6-foot-3 defender was first-team All-Sierra League and team captain at Ayala High, before playing this summer with the LA Galaxy under-20 team that won the west division title.

Defender James Turner was MVP of the South Coast League at Mission Viejo High and won the National Cup with Barcelona FC.

UCI kicks off the 2008 season Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. against North Florida in the opening round of the UC Irvine College Classic at Anteater Stadium.

— From staff reports