Oregon Institute of Technology Athletics

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Offense was not a problem last season for the Oregon Tech men's soccer team, as the Hustlin' Owls set a program record with 53 goals and 43 assists. Despite losing a pair of forwards to graduation, Tech boasts a deep group of playmakers that will test defenses throughout the 2023 season.
 
Cade O'Neill had a breakout season in 2022, closing his OIT career with a school-record 13 goals, earning All-Cascade Conference honors. Three-time All-CCC forward John Sarna added four goals and five assists in his last year in an Owls kit – leaving Tech recording the most points and assists in program history.
 
The Owls return a pair of All-CCC midfielders – as junior winger Andrew Pasang and junior defensive midfielder DeShone Myles anchor the position group. Pasang had a huge 2022, scoring 10 goals and six assists – including four game winners. Myles has 29 starts over the past two seasons and is back to full strength after missing part of last season due to injury.
 
"Andrew is a dangerous winger," said head coach Sean McManamon. "He is a super creative, elusive player in 1-v-1 scenarios and will be tough for opponents to defend.  Myles is arguably our best 1-v-1 defender and can lockdown any opponent. He is a great leader and brings great energy every day."
 
Juniors Dylan Nakagawa and Kevin Rodriguez had quality 2022 seasons – Nakagawa started all 20 matches as a center-mid, with Rodriguez finishing the year with four goals and five assists.
 
"Dylan is on it," McManamon said. "He has adapted to our style of play and can play both sides of the ball. He is defensive minded – he knows when to press and when to clog lanes – but has learned a little flair offensively is able to spray passes to our attacking three. Kevin is so good in possession and his facilitation is so sharp and works well with other holding midfielders as a good duo defensively."
 
Five other returners will be key to the Owls success. Both sophomore Logan Miller and junior Ellis Harwood were key to Tech's national tournament run a season ago – Miller scoring two goals and adding four helpers during his rookie campaign, with Harwood posting three goals and an assist. Senior Sean Burcin, junior Matthew Shirley and sophomore Pedro Rodrigues combined to play in 13 matches and look for an expanded role in 2023.
 
Logan is fun to coach and is exactly what we are looking for in an OIT athlete," McManamon said of his midfielder. "He can play anywhere on the field and has improved so much from last fall to today. Ellis is so creative and his foot skills are unparalleled. He gets in a tight scenario and always seems to get it done – he is a magician."
 
Three recruits add to the depth in the midfield – transfers Lennyn Solis and Curtis Vang, along with freshman Grayson Barker. Solis starred at Walla Walla CC, earning All-Northwest Athletic Conference honors after scoring 11 goals as a sophomore. Vang spent two seasons at Folsom Lake College, making 27 career starts, with Barker helping the Summit High squad win the 2021 6A state title.
 
"Kiko is fun to watch," McManamon said of Solis. "He covers so much ground and his energy is crazy to see and moves the ball very well. Curtis is a little maestro in the middle. He is no-nonsense, he is quick, simple and efficient in possession."
 
Up top, OIT will look to junior Hunter Hoogerwerf and senior Rosendo Juarez-Flores for a scoring boost. Hoogerwerf scored three goals last season – including a pair in the season opener at Simpson, while Juarez-Flores was all over the field, starting 15 matches, scoring four goals and adding a pair of assists.
 
"The level of experience Piso (Juarez-Flores) brings to the field is key," McManamon said. "His IQ for the game is immense and is so fluid. Hunter has an extra spring in his step. He is quicker, he is sharper, stronger, has more push. His progression from spring to now is immense."
 
Sophomores Britton Ullan and Ben Bradshaw look for extended runs this season – Ullan coming off a redshirt year, while Bradshaw scored his first college goal against Rocky Mountain. True freshman Dalton Rideout will also be squarely in the mix – as 6-foot-5 striker from Las Vegas providing an imposing frame in the box.
 
"Dalton has a lot of potential and is hungry at every session," McManamon said. "He has a big ceiling, is super-tall and lanky and is able to create opportunities and finish."
 
The Owls will travel to Humboldt State this Friday for a scrimmage at Cal Poly Humboldt before opening the season on the road in the Bay Area, meeting Menlo College on Aug. 26.