ROCKLIN, Calif. – All eyes are set on Friday afternoon as a new season for Jessup Soccer is set to begin. Looking to rebound from a season ago, head coach Greg Lazaga has announced a recruiting class of 13 newcomers who will hit the field this season.
 
"We are returning a very young group from last season," said Lazaga. "We had a tough fall of 2021 but a good spring in training. We have another large class of recruits coming in for many positions.
 
Lazaga went on to say, "This season's schedule gives us a good glimpse at our overall potential going into GSAC with some good quality NAIA teams and NCAA teams in preseason. Highlight opponents in preseason are UC Merced, Simpson, Cal State Monterey Bay, and Academy of Art."
 
ANTONIO CAMACHO | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. | UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
 
A goalkeeper out of San Francisco, Antonio Camacho, comes to the Warriors after recently attending the University of San Francisco. Before his time with the Dons, Camacho played four years for Lowell HS, where he was named to the 2021 All-City First-Team along with earning Player of the Year honors. His team also saw success as the 2019 CIF State Champions.
 
A Kinesiology major with goals of working in physical therapy, Camacho says he enjoys video games, biking, and car drives. When asked why he chose Jessup, Camacho added, "I was given the opportunity to fulfill my dream to play college soccer, which is something I wasn't going to let go of."
 
AUGUSTINE CHULU | BRENTWOOD, CALIF. | LIBERTY HS
 
A forward from Brentwood, Augustine Chulu, comes to the Warriors after a four-year career with Liberty HS. Chulu ended his high school career as the league's top scorer, earning him a selection as First-Team All-League.
 
Chulu plans to study Kinesiology with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. In his spare time, he enjoys watching anime. When asked why he chose Jessup, Chulu added, "I love Jesus."
 
FRANCISCO CORIA | PLANADA, CALIF. | LE GRAND HS
 
Coming to the Warriors from Le Grand HS in Planada is Francisco Coria. The four-year varsity athlete was voted MVP in his senior season and was a section champion in 2019. Coria will look to continue his winning ways during his time with the Warriors.
 
Coria has aspirations of a career in physical therapy and will be studying Kinesiology during his time at Jessup. When he has spare time, Coria says his favorite interest is football.
 
LUIS CRUZ | FRESNO, CALIF. | CLOVIS WEST HS
 
Fresno native Luis Cruz comes to the Warriors out of Clovis West HS. The center-back played at the varsity level for four years, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020 and 2021. The accolades continue as the three-year captain was also voted MVP in 2021 and 2022.
 
Cruz says he plans to study either Kinesiology or Business and wants to know more about both programs before deciding on his career path. He said he chose Jessup "to continue being a part of something bigger than myself and work with a goal-oriented team." Cruz enjoys reading, listening to music, and playing other sports.
 
MARCO GARCIA | CONCORD, CALIF. | CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE
 
Marco Garcia comes to the Warriors after spending time with Contra Costa College. The center-back and midfielder played four years of varsity soccer for Alhambra HS, where he was named Second-Team All-League his junior and senior seasons.
 
Studying Business, Garcia is undecided on what he wants to pursue as a career. When asked what led him to Jessup, he stated it was "the connection I can make here at Jessup." Garcia says he enjoys relaxing and watching TV when he has free time.
 
JOSE ELIGIO GUTIERREZ | LODI, CALIF. | TOKAY HS
 
Joining the Warriors as a center-back is Jose Eligio Gutierrez. A graduate of Tokay HS in Lodi, Gutierrez played two years of varsity soccer while in high school, where he was named the TCAL MVP in 2022. With his team, Gutierrez reached the finals of the playoffs.
 
Currently undecided on his major, Gutierrez says he is focused on finishing college before considering his career path. Gutierrez says he enjoys spending his spare time with friends when not on the field. He stated that Jessup was his choice so he could "continue playing soccer."
 
ALEX HEREDIA | GREENFIELD, CALIF. | FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE
 
Transferring in from Feather River College is outside back Alex Heredia. Heredia played two years of soccer at Feather River, where he was named a Scholar-Athlete. Before that, Heredia attended Millennium Charter HS, where he did not play soccer.
 
Heredia comes to Jessup to study Kinesiology with the goals of working as a strength and conditioning coach. Off the field, he enjoys the outdoors, reading, and traveling. Heredia added about Jessup that he "loved the environment and felt it is a great fit for me."
 
ISAIAH HERNANDEZ | CLOVIS, CALIF. | CLOVIS EAST HS
 
Adding to the Jessup backline is Clovis native Isaiah Hernandez. The outside back played four years of varsity soccer at Clovis East HS, where he was a captain for two years. Hernandez was named the Defensive Player of the Year during high school and also earned a selection to the All-League team.
 
Studying Computer Science, Hernandez stated that he wants to be a software engineer for a career. Hernandez added that he "loved the campus on my visit. The vibe of the school was amazing." In addition, Hernandez enjoys spending time with family and watching anime during his spare time.
 
ISAIAH MARTINEZ | NORTH HIGHLANDS, CALIF. | FOOTHILL HS
 
Out of North Highlands and Foothill HS comes outside back Isaiah Martinez. The local product brings to the Warriors a four-year varsity career that saw him earn an MVP award. As a team, Martinez's squad made its deepest postseason run in his senior season.
 
Martinez comes to Jessup as a Kinesiology major, concentrating his studies on Sports Management. The goal is to become an athletic trainer for his career. Two of Martinez's top interests are sneakers and cars, and he stated that his reasoning for coming to Jessup was "to stay local. The class ratio fits me best to ensure I am academically on top of everything I need."
 
SERGIO MEDINA | RANCHO CORDOVA, CALIF. | FOLSOM HS
 
Sergio Medina, a midfielder from nearby Rancho Cordova, joins the Warriors via Folsom HS. Medina did not play soccer during his time at Folsom HS, and he comes to Jessup after attending Folsom Lake Community College.
 
Studying Kinesiology, Medina says he wants a career as a physical therapist. Off the field, Medina enjoys listening to music, working out, and playing video games. He said he came to Jessup "to play soccer and work my way towards a degree in Kinesiology."
 
GERARDO PEREZ PLATA | WOODLAND, CALIF. | AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE
 
Goalkeeper Gerardo Perez Plata will continue his soccer career as a member of the Warriors. In two years at American River College, Perez Plata was selected as team MVP and was in the top ten in the state for saves. During his high school career at Pioneer HS, Perez Plata was a four-time team MVP and was twice voted conference MVP.
 
A Kinesiology major working towards a career in physical therapy, Perez Plata says he enjoys walking his dog Dexter while listing to a podcast. When asked why he chose Jessup, he stated, "the opportunity to expand my education and be guided towards my dream."
 
ALEXIS RECINOS | CLOVIS, CALIF. | CLOVIS EAST HS
 
Alexis Recinos comes to the Warriors out of Clovis and Clovis East HS. The center-back was a two-time Defender of the Year and was twice named All-League in track. Recinos' team saw success as the Harold D. Young Tournament champions.
 
Recinos will study in one of Jessup's newest programs, Nursing. He hopes to turn his education into a career as a PA. He states that he chose Jessup because he is "looking forward to getting closer to God and finding people who want to be with God." Recinos added that he loves to swim and play other sports, such as spike ball.
 
DANIEL RUIZ | SAN JOSE, CALIF. | HIRAM JOHNSON HS
 
Daniel Ruiz adds to the Jessup attack as a forward from San Jose. The attacker played his high school soccer at Hiram Johnson HS and comes into his first season with Jessup as a true freshman.
 
JAVIER VILLA | CONCORD, CALIF. | CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE
 
Javier Villa joins the Warriors after two years at Contra Costa College. Before his collegiate career began, Villa attended College Park HS, where he played three years of varsity soccer. Villa was named an Honorable Mention his junior and senior season.
 
Villa plans to study Psychology during his time at Jessup and says he wants to pursue a career in health care one day. During his spare time, Villa enjoys hiking, bowling, and shopping. He said he chose Jessup to "continue my education and play sports."
 
The 13 new additions will get to work right away as the Warriors take on Contra Costa College tomorrow in the final scrimmage before the season officially begins. Jessup will host Opening Day on Friday against Bushnell University. Tickets for the 4 p.m. kick-off can be purchased ahead of time HERE.  
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).