March 15, 2006
LAS VEGAS - Five players have signed national letters of intent to play men's soccer for UNLV starting in the fall of 2006, first-year head coach Mario Sanchez announced on Wednesday.
Roland Swanson is the first of three Rebel recruits from Las Vegas. A 6-1 goalkeeper, Swanson led Centennial to the second round of the playoffs as a senior, and was also named first team all-region. He was also a two-time all-district first team selection, and was named team MVP as a senior after posting seven shutouts. He also plays for the NFC United '88 club team, six-time state champions and currently ranked 20th in the nation. "Swanson has great hands and a very good presence in goal," said Sanchez. "He is a composed and reliable goalkeeper.
Luke Atwell is a 6-2 defender and played at Palo Verde High, where he helped them to the state tournament all four years. He also plays for the Las Vegas Premier '89 club team, state champions in 2002, 2004, and 2005. "Atwell is a great athlete, very good left foot and very competitive," said Sanchez. "He comes from a very good club that has exposed him to some of the best teams in the country."
The other local recruit is Brandynn Elwart. A 6-0 defender, he helped Shadow Ridge High to the first round of the state tournament in 2005, and has been named All-Sunset and All-Southern Nevada. He was the team's Offensive Player of the Year as a junior, and also plays for the NFC United '88 team along with Swanson. "Brandynn fits the style of play that we will play here. He is very composed on the ball and his a very good passer. Brandynn and Roland made up the back of a very good NCF United team."
Peter Rodriguez, a midfielder from San Jose, Calif., posted six goals and four assists as a senior while earning League and Team MVP honors. A four-time all-league selection for Leland High, he also earned the school's Academic Athlete Award all four of his seasons as well. Rodriguez also plays for De Anza Force '87 Blue, and was named a Super Y-League ODP Pacific Division Player. "Peter is a soccer junkie," notes Sanchez. "He studies the game and will serve us very well in the middle. He is very technical and has good feet."
The final recruit is Michael Fraser, a 5-11 defender from Doncaster, England. A junior college transfer, he has played the last two seasons at Cayuga Community College, where he was first-team all-conference and all-region, and led them to two conference championships and one national championship runner-up finish. "Michael will bring us some valuable experience," said Sanchez. "He is a very good communicator and organizer in the back."
