Men's Soccer | 7/20/2022 9:37:00 AM
CALDWELL, Idaho - Ahead of the upcoming 2022 College of Idaho soccer season, Head Coach
Thom Baker has announced the latest recruiting class. The 2022 recruiting class features five incoming freshman, three sophomore transfers, and two junior transfers.
Tom Baynard-Smith
Baynard-Smith comes to Caldwell from Melbourne, Australia. The sophomore transfer joins the Yotes from Lyon College in Arkansas, where he earned Defensive Player of the Week honors in the American Midwest Conference during the 2021 season.
"Tom is going to come in and challenge for the starting job right away," added Baker. "He is an excellent shot stopper and will be terrific in distribution. He's a very exciting pick up for the Yotes."
Sawyer Luthy
Luthy joins the College of Idaho as an incoming freshman from Boise High School. Luthy was named to the All-SIC team three times in his high school career, as well as earning All-State honors twice. Luthy was a six-time Idaho State Cup champion with the Boise Timbers, and he excels in the classroom, garnering All-Academic honors all four years in high school.
"Sawyer has outstanding upside in that he can play any position in the midfield," said Baker. "He can score, distribute, and defend. Sawyer will be a great player for us for years to come."
Hugo dos Santos
Hugo, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, comes to Caldwell as a junior transfer from Northeast Community College in Nebraska. A 2020 NJCAA All-American, the two-time All-Conference player tallied 18 goals and 17 assists in two seasons with the Hawks.
"Hugo can play all offensive spots, either as an attacking mid handing out assists or as a striker scoring goals," added Baker.
Nico Erlank
Erlank, a freshman from Valladolid, Spain, joins the Yotes as an incoming freshman.
"Nico is a very strong defender from a top club in Spain," said Baker. "A natural central defender, he can also play on the outside and is valuable on set plays."
Luke Jones
Luke Jones joins the College of Idaho from Eagle High School. The incoming freshman was named to the All-SIC team twice for the Mustangs.
"Luke is a top outside back. He is a four year varsity player and has a high pedigree with the Boise Timbers club," Baker noted. "He can be a strong defender as he gets used to the speed of play in the college game."
Eric Hornung
Hornung, a Nuremburg, Germany native, joins the Yotes as an incoming freshman.
"Eric comes to us from Germany and can be a box-to-box midfielder or an attacking mid," said Baker. "He is a positive, high energy guy who can make an impact right away."
Grant Embree
Embree is a sophomore transfer from Clark College. The Eagle native was named to the All-Conference team all four years in high school, including an All-State honor in 2020.
"Grant is an outstanding defender. He is also quite versatile as he played a holding mid at Clark last year," said Baker. "We are looking to anchor the defense for years to come."
Jorge Fernandez
Fernandez joins the College of Idaho as an incoming freshman from Leon, Spain.
"Jorge can play wing or striker. He has a nose for scoring and is lethal near the goal. He will be an outstanding player in the Cascade Collegiate Conference," Baker noted.
Armando Tapia
Tapia is a junior transfer from Twin Falls, having spend the previous two years at North Idaho College.
"Armando is a two-year starter for the Cardinals. He is best as an outside defender with his athleticism," Baker said. "His experience will make a big difference for us in the back."Â
Caik Silva
Caik Silva rounds out the 2022 recruiting class as a native from Jacarei, Brazil, transferring from Lassen Community College.
"Caik is a very mature, versatile player," Baker added. "He can play anywhere in the midfield and will be relied on to use his high energy to excel defensively."
