Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
A large recruiting class featuring an international flare is set to make its impression on the NWC men’s soccer program in just three weeks’ time, with the season set to start Aug. 1.
Over the past nine months, Trappers head coach Rob Hill has recruited more than 20 players from around the world to Powell to join five returnees from last year’s squad.
Loan Marin was one of the first to sign, making his way to Powell from France with the hope of making an impression in the Trapper net as a goalkeeper.
Another goalkeeper joining the team is Iñigo Chavarria Bezunartea from Spain, who will be competing for the starting job going forward.
Daniel Gargollo Saavedra, a center back from Mexico, will join a set of returning defenders from last year’s team.
João Victor Gonçalves Da Conceição makes his way to Powell from Brazil with the goal of impacting the center back position.
Amir Shehata comes to Powell from the Netherlands with the hope of starting at center back for the Trappers.
Erhan Altunc makes his way over from the United Kingdom (UK) as a fullback, who Hill hopes will add strength and speed to the back line.
Hill said he believes Marco Marin Castillo, an outside back from Lima, Peru, will add speed and grit to the back line.
Fernando Luiz Waiandt Bonfirm, who joins as a defender from Brazil, has experience both at center back and as a fullback to help play in both positions.
Right back Ben Laybourne joins the team from the UK to help bolster the back line.
Heading into central midfield, Edwin Martin Wiesner Talero will join the Trappers from Costa Rica, having experience playing for the Costa Rica national team.
Artur Dalfior Kataoka brings experience in both defensive midfield and as a center back to help lock down the Trapper defense.
Vladut Spiridon will join Northwest from Bury, England, and hopes to make an impact in the midfield.
Kurtis Richins from Evanston is the lone Wyoming player signing this year, coming to Powell to try to impact the midfield for the Trappers.
Pedro Teixeira makes his way over from Portugal as a central midfielder for the Trappers in 2022.
John-Joe Mullane joins Northwest as an attacking midfielder from the UK.
Alfonso Blancas is a midfielder and defensive player from Eastlake High School in El Paso, Texas. The team finished ranked No. 6 in Texas and No. 26 in the nation at the conclusion of the season.
Harry Cullen makes his way to Powell from England, in hopes of making an impact in the midfield after playing for Tranmere Sports College.
Harvey John Dean will hope to make an impression on a depleted Trapper frontline, coming over from the UK as a striker.
Bernardo Bianchi Spala, Ricardo Farias da Silva and Nicolas Oliveira Defáveri Bárbara make their way to Powell from Brazil and will compete at striker for the Trappers.
Ethan Murray joins from Kimarnock, Scotland, after attending Grange Academy and Irvine Meadow XI FC. Murray brings speed and athleticism to Powell as an experienced left wing.
Benjamin Lachaize comes to Powell from France as a winger and an outside back, bringing speed and skills to the Trappers.
Other players joining the team include Pedro Lucas Morais Deon, Paulo Victor, Bridger Meyer, Sebastian Diaz, Erick Braga, Murilo Torres and Guillermo Perez.
The Trapper soccer team with a whole new look is expected to take to the pitch shortly, hoping for an improved season over last year’s team.