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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Hyndman announces six additions to program
2/1/2017 3:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PHOENIX - The Grand Canyon men's soccer team and head coach Schellas Hyndman announced a 2017 recruiting class that features six new members. The list of signees includes four transfers and two incoming freshmen.
The four transfers include Jackson Jellah (MF/F, University of Portland), Bennett Lehner (D, University of Dayton), Evan Waldrep (MF, Creighton) and Jeremy Pollard (GK, University of Akron). The two freshmen are Joshua Drack (MF/F, Chandler, Ariz.) and Malik Smith (D, Brampton, Ontario). For more information on the new class, read below.
The Lopes are set to kick things off in the second season at GCU Stadium in mid-August. It will be Grand Canyon's first season as a full member of Division I athletics, newly eligible for the WAC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
Meet the Incoming Lopes
Jackson Jellah
MF/F | University of Portland
Jellah comes to Grand Canyon after two years with the Portland Pilots. He played in all 19 of the team's games as a sophomore in 2016, starting in 12. Jellah tallied nine points on the season, scoring three goals and assisting three more. He netted the game-winning goal in Portland's victory over DePaul this season. For his heroics, he was named to the Hensor/Zaher Classic All-Tournament Team.
Although he started his collegiate career in the Pacific Northwest, Jellah returns home to the desert after graduating from Sandra Day O'Connor High School in 2015. With the Eagles, he was a first team All-Section choice and was named most outstanding junior. Jellah racked up seven goals and eight assists in his senior soccer season. He also played for CCV Soccer Club in Phoenix.
Coach Hyndman: "Jackson was one of the best players in the area, but, unfortunately, he had already committed to University of Portland before I arrived. We are very excited to have Jackson back in Phoenix playing for GCU. Jackson is extremely talented and athletic. He has the ability to link up will with teammates or he can carry the ball himself to create and score goals. I look for great things from Jackson this coming season. He comes from a wonderful family."
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Bennett Lehner
D | University of Dayton
Lehner joins the Lopes after one year at Dayton, playing in 16 games during his freshman campaign. He scored two goals and was a part of a back line that recorded five shutouts on the season.
Originally from Camas, Wash., Lehner was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Washington, given to the most outstanding soccer player in the state. Over his four-year high school career, Lehner scored 59 goals and added 32 assists. He also earned All-Region Player of the Year honors twice and first team All-State twice. Lehner also played 17 games with the Portland Timbers Academy. He chose to transfer to GCU for the coaching staff and the great weather.
Coach Hyndman: "Bennett is a very good soccer player that has a history of scoring goals. Bennett is athletic and a good goal-scorer. He can play many different attacking positions. He is extremely hard working and passionate about the sport. I am looking forward to seeing good things from Bennett this spring and looking for him to score goals for us next season."
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Evan Waldrep
MF | Creighton University
Waldrep returns to his home in Phoenix after two seasons at Creighton. In his two seasons with the Bluejays, Waldrep appeared in 26 matches. As a freshman, he scored his first career goal against Missouri State and scored a postseason goal in the NCAA Tournament against Drake. With Waldrep comes a winning pedigree, as he helped Creighton go 32-11-3 in his two seasons with the team, making runs into the Elite 8 and Sweet 16.
The Phoenix-native has a long history of competing with the United States Men's National Team, playing on the U-16, U-18 and U-20 national squads. Waldrep also played for the Real Salt Lake Academy where he helped lead the team to a national championship. He chose to transfer to Grand Canyon to be "close to home" as well as the "great coaches."
Coach Hyndman: "Evan is another one of the good players who left Phoenix before I arrived at GCU. We are extremely happy to have Evan play for Grand Canyon. He is a very talented player who can play anywhere in the midfield. Evan has the ability to connect on short, medium or long-range passes. He will, technically, be one of the best players on our team. Evan has the ability to control the midfield with his technique and his tactical abilities. He will also bring his maturity, experience and skills to our team. It's great to have Evan back in Phoenix as he represents his family and CCV Soccer Club."
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Jeremy Pollard
GK | University of Akron
Pollard joins the Lopes after attending the University of Akron for one year. The Zips went 13-6-3 in 2016, claiming the Mid-American Conference title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Pollard attended Freshwater Senior High School. He played with Manly United FC, the Australian Schoolboy National Team and AC Milan Academy in Australia. He was also named the Sportsperson of the Year along with state and national team selections.
Coach Hyndman: "Jeremy is a very good addition to our team. We expect him to challenge for the starting role in goal. Jeremy has good size and quick reflexes, and we will have a chance to show how much Jeremy progresses this spring."
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Joshua Drack
MF/F | Chandler, Ariz. | Hamilton High School
Drack has compiled quite the résumé in his two-year prep career, scoring 65 goals and tallying 32 assists in two seasons at Hamilton High School. On top of his impressive statistics, Drack was named the 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year for Arizona. He was also a two-year team captain, two-year All-Conference selection, Big Schools Player of the Year and garnered All-State recognition.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Drack helped lead Hamilton to the state championship in 2016. Shortly after, it was off to Portland, Ore., to train with the Timbers Academy. He chose Grand Canyon because for, among other reasons, "the atmosphere around the campus, the team" and a belief that a career at GCU can help vault him into a professional soccer career. He also played for Gilbert Arsenal Soccer Club.
Coach Hyndman: "For the second year in a row, GCU has landed the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year in Joshua Drack. He is a very talented player. Joshua is a left-footed player with exceptional skills. He is very versatile and can play many different positions. He is a very technical and tactical player who sees the game well."
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Malik Smith
D | Brampton, Ontario | David Suzuki Secondary School
Smith comes to Grand Canyon from north of the border, where he was a two-year team captain and a two-year starter while attending David Suzuki Secondary School in Ontario, Canada.
Smith grew up around the sport since playing soccer for Central West SC. He made his debut in the Canadian national soccer program in 2014 at age 14, spending time in the team's development camps.
Coach Hyndman: "Malik is an outstanding soccer player. He is very talented and athletic. Malik plays for Toronto FC Academy and has excelled as a center-back. Malik has represented his country, Canada, on the Junior National Team. I see him having an impact and contributing immediately to our team. He comes from a wonderful family in Toronto."
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The four transfers include Jackson Jellah (MF/F, University of Portland), Bennett Lehner (D, University of Dayton), Evan Waldrep (MF, Creighton) and Jeremy Pollard (GK, University of Akron). The two freshmen are Joshua Drack (MF/F, Chandler, Ariz.) and Malik Smith (D, Brampton, Ontario). For more information on the new class, read below.
The Lopes are set to kick things off in the second season at GCU Stadium in mid-August. It will be Grand Canyon's first season as a full member of Division I athletics, newly eligible for the WAC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
Meet the Incoming Lopes
Jackson Jellah
MF/F | University of Portland
Jellah comes to Grand Canyon after two years with the Portland Pilots. He played in all 19 of the team's games as a sophomore in 2016, starting in 12. Jellah tallied nine points on the season, scoring three goals and assisting three more. He netted the game-winning goal in Portland's victory over DePaul this season. For his heroics, he was named to the Hensor/Zaher Classic All-Tournament Team.
Although he started his collegiate career in the Pacific Northwest, Jellah returns home to the desert after graduating from Sandra Day O'Connor High School in 2015. With the Eagles, he was a first team All-Section choice and was named most outstanding junior. Jellah racked up seven goals and eight assists in his senior soccer season. He also played for CCV Soccer Club in Phoenix.
Coach Hyndman: "Jackson was one of the best players in the area, but, unfortunately, he had already committed to University of Portland before I arrived. We are very excited to have Jackson back in Phoenix playing for GCU. Jackson is extremely talented and athletic. He has the ability to link up will with teammates or he can carry the ball himself to create and score goals. I look for great things from Jackson this coming season. He comes from a wonderful family."
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Transferring from Portland, welcome Jackson Jellah! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/HLAim61dzz
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSOC) February 1, 2017
Bennett Lehner
D | University of Dayton
Lehner joins the Lopes after one year at Dayton, playing in 16 games during his freshman campaign. He scored two goals and was a part of a back line that recorded five shutouts on the season.
Originally from Camas, Wash., Lehner was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Washington, given to the most outstanding soccer player in the state. Over his four-year high school career, Lehner scored 59 goals and added 32 assists. He also earned All-Region Player of the Year honors twice and first team All-State twice. Lehner also played 17 games with the Portland Timbers Academy. He chose to transfer to GCU for the coaching staff and the great weather.
Coach Hyndman: "Bennett is a very good soccer player that has a history of scoring goals. Bennett is athletic and a good goal-scorer. He can play many different attacking positions. He is extremely hard working and passionate about the sport. I am looking forward to seeing good things from Bennett this spring and looking for him to score goals for us next season."
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Welcome @Bennett_Lehner to GCU! He joins the Lopes from Dayton. #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/Ox8Bm96Niz
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSOC) February 1, 2017
Evan Waldrep
MF | Creighton University
Waldrep returns to his home in Phoenix after two seasons at Creighton. In his two seasons with the Bluejays, Waldrep appeared in 26 matches. As a freshman, he scored his first career goal against Missouri State and scored a postseason goal in the NCAA Tournament against Drake. With Waldrep comes a winning pedigree, as he helped Creighton go 32-11-3 in his two seasons with the team, making runs into the Elite 8 and Sweet 16.
The Phoenix-native has a long history of competing with the United States Men's National Team, playing on the U-16, U-18 and U-20 national squads. Waldrep also played for the Real Salt Lake Academy where he helped lead the team to a national championship. He chose to transfer to Grand Canyon to be "close to home" as well as the "great coaches."
Coach Hyndman: "Evan is another one of the good players who left Phoenix before I arrived at GCU. We are extremely happy to have Evan play for Grand Canyon. He is a very talented player who can play anywhere in the midfield. Evan has the ability to connect on short, medium or long-range passes. He will, technically, be one of the best players on our team. Evan has the ability to control the midfield with his technique and his tactical abilities. He will also bring his maturity, experience and skills to our team. It's great to have Evan back in Phoenix as he represents his family and CCV Soccer Club."
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Welcome, @evanwaldrep! He comes to GCU from Creighton. #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/EzgnEJMDpH
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSOC) February 1, 2017
Jeremy Pollard
GK | University of Akron
Pollard joins the Lopes after attending the University of Akron for one year. The Zips went 13-6-3 in 2016, claiming the Mid-American Conference title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Pollard attended Freshwater Senior High School. He played with Manly United FC, the Australian Schoolboy National Team and AC Milan Academy in Australia. He was also named the Sportsperson of the Year along with state and national team selections.
Coach Hyndman: "Jeremy is a very good addition to our team. We expect him to challenge for the starting role in goal. Jeremy has good size and quick reflexes, and we will have a chance to show how much Jeremy progresses this spring."
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Originally from Australia and transferring from Akron, welcome goalkeeper Jeremy Pollard. #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/6KP2BgBJQ2
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSOC) February 1, 2017
Joshua Drack
MF/F | Chandler, Ariz. | Hamilton High School
Drack has compiled quite the résumé in his two-year prep career, scoring 65 goals and tallying 32 assists in two seasons at Hamilton High School. On top of his impressive statistics, Drack was named the 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year for Arizona. He was also a two-year team captain, two-year All-Conference selection, Big Schools Player of the Year and garnered All-State recognition.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Drack helped lead Hamilton to the state championship in 2016. Shortly after, it was off to Portland, Ore., to train with the Timbers Academy. He chose Grand Canyon because for, among other reasons, "the atmosphere around the campus, the team" and a belief that a career at GCU can help vault him into a professional soccer career. He also played for Gilbert Arsenal Soccer Club.
Coach Hyndman: "For the second year in a row, GCU has landed the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year in Joshua Drack. He is a very talented player. Joshua is a left-footed player with exceptional skills. He is very versatile and can play many different positions. He is a very technical and tactical player who sees the game well."
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We kick off our signing day announcements with Joshua Drack. Welcome to GCU! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/U2Iy9S9Ia8
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSOC) February 1, 2017
Malik Smith
D | Brampton, Ontario | David Suzuki Secondary School
Smith comes to Grand Canyon from north of the border, where he was a two-year team captain and a two-year starter while attending David Suzuki Secondary School in Ontario, Canada.
Smith grew up around the sport since playing soccer for Central West SC. He made his debut in the Canadian national soccer program in 2014 at age 14, spending time in the team's development camps.
Coach Hyndman: "Malik is an outstanding soccer player. He is very talented and athletic. Malik plays for Toronto FC Academy and has excelled as a center-back. Malik has represented his country, Canada, on the Junior National Team. I see him having an impact and contributing immediately to our team. He comes from a wonderful family in Toronto."
Â
Coming to us from Canada, welcome Malik Smith to GCU Soccer! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/HZFQWyIuqf
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSOC) February 1, 2017
Players Mentioned
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