Davis, Calif. - With exhibitions and the 2022 season right around the corner, a 10-member signing class announced by Head Coach Dwayne Shaffer is ready to contribute to another run at a Big West Conference title. That group will be a part of a 2022 squad attempting to make it five straight seasons advancing to at least the Big West Conference Tournament semifinal round. 

The group consists of nine players from California and one transfer in former New Mexico Gatorade Boy's Soccer Player of the Year in Marcus Garcia, who arrives from Maryland with four years of eligibility remaining. 

The Aggies will play two exhibitions, a road match on Aug. 17 at San Francisco and a home match on Aug. 20 against Chico State before kicking off the season on the road at Oregon State on Aug. 25. 


CHASE TANON 

Tanon is a winger for Sacramento Republic FC Academy's U19 team in the MLS Next League. He joined the youth academy in 2019 after playing for Placer United and was signed from the development academy to the first-team roster by Republic FC in March. 

"Chase plays as an attacking player for Sacramento Republic and I envision him competing for any attacking role across our front line, mostly likely as a wide player," Shaffer said. "Chase is very quick and powerful and has shown to be able to score goals at the highest youth level in America."

He was an integral part of Republic FC's 2021 MLS Next Cup run, where it was the only club to advance multiple teams to the semifinal round. 


MARCUS GARCIA

A transfer from Maryland, Garcia was the 2020-21 Gatorade New Mexico Boy's Soccer Player of the Year while playing for St. Pius X High School. 

He had 14 goals and four assists his senior season, earning First Team All-State honors and finished his high school career with 52 goals and 33 assists. St. Pius X went to three state semifinals with Garcia leading the way. He was a two-time New Mexico AAA Second Team All-State selection, 2019 District 5 AAAA Player of the Year, two-time AAAA All-District First Team, and was a regional Olympic Development Program selection. 

"Marcus has excellent pace and competitive spirit," Shaffer said. "We're looking forward to adding another veteran attacking player into our program."

Garcia played his club ball for Rio Rapids Soccer Clubs. 

He redshirted last season with the Terps and arrives in Davis with full eligibility. 


TAKERU HORIKE 

Horike played for FRAM's boys 03/04 team, the top-ranked squad in the Discovery NPL North division that went 13-0 in 2021-22. In all, Horike spent seven years playing for the high-powered southern California squad. 

"He's projected to play as a center midfielder for us," Shaffer said. "He's athletic, he's mobile, he's quick, he comes from a great club team." 


CASON GOODMAN 

Goodman joins UC Davis from Santa Barbara High School, having led the Channel League in goals and being named offensive MVP of the league as a junior. He was named first team All-Channel League in March. 

"Cason has played as a striker and as a winger but he can also play in the center midfield," Shaffer said. "Cason will add a lot of athleticism and pace to our team."

This past summer, Goodman helped the Santa Barbara Soccer Club U18 Elite team to the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional title and a semifinal berth at the U.S.Y.S. National Championships. 


LUKE GOODMAN
The twin brother of Cason, Luke was the defensive MVP of the Channel League his junior season at Santa Barbara High. He was named the league's defensive MVP for a second time this past March. 

Goodman contributed to 14 clean sheets and was named to the South Torrance Tournamen All-Tourament team and was First Team All-Channel League as a sophomore. 

"He's got excellent athleticism and work rate," Shaffer said, adding that Goodman can play anywhere along the back line. "He's a very good leader and comes from a great club."

Goodman teamed with his brother to lead the Santa Barbara Soccer Club U18 elite team to a U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional title a semifinal berth at the USYS National Championships. 


PEYTON GORANS 

Gorans joins the Aggies from Clovis West High School where he was named first team All-Tri-River Athletic Conference as a senior. He had 15 goals and six assists last season at Clovis West and earned All-League distinction his freshman and sophomore years at Edison High School. 

"Peyton is probably the quickest of the class," Shaffer said. "I project him to be either a winger or an attacking fullback for us. He's got exceptional quickness and very good pace."

He was selected to compete on the west region team at an Olympic Development Program tournament last year and played his club soccer for California Odyssey. 


COLTON FRANKLIN 

Franklin is the second California Odyssey member to join the Aggies. 

"Colton has been the captain for his club team and is an excellent leader with excellent technical ability," Shaffer said. "We're looking forward to Colton competing as a center midfielder for us."

In 2019, Franklin captained the California North State team, earning a spot at a U.S. Soccer Olympic Development Program West Region camp. At Yosemite High School in Oakhurst, Calif., Franklin scored six goals with eight assists in leading Yosemite to a 6-2 league record. He was the Badgers Player of the Year for 2021-22. 


ANDREW DUTRA 

Dutra brings a wealth of international experience with him to Davis. 

In 2018, Dutra was one of 18 players nationally to compete in the Donosti Cup, being selected after his performance in the Olympic Development Program's regional championship in Arizona. He also played in the Mediterranean International Cup and for the id2 National Selection team. 

"He has very good quickness, awareness, and soccer I.Q.," Shaffer said. "We're looking forward to Andrew coming in and competing for playing time immediately in our program."

Dutra is the third member of this year's class from California Odyssey. He had 11 assists and two goals in 12 games for his high school side, Sierra Pacific High School, in 2021-22. 


ZACK LILLINGTON

Lillington was a significant reason for Archie Williams High School's playoff success last season, helping lead the team to a CIF North Coast Section Division III title and scoring the first goal of a win over Montgomery that sent Archie Williams into the CIF NorCal Division II final. 

He was named First Team All-MCAL as a senior. 

"Very good in aerial challengs," Shaffer said. "He's a versatile back who can play center back or possibly as a midfield player."

A 6-3 defender, Lillington played his club soccer for Marin FC's Boys 03/04 Blue team. 


TIM SYREL

Syrel will wear an Aggie jersey in the fall but he's already seen professional game action. 

A product of the Oakland Roots' developmental club Project 510, Syrel was signed to an academy contract in May due to the Roots needing a backup keeper against LA Galaxy II. 

Syrel entered in the 69th minute and helped preserve a 1-0 win, making one save. 

"Excellent presence, very athletic," Shaffer said. "He has improved dramatically in his development over the last couple years and Tim will be an excellent addition to our program."

A 6-4 keeper, he is a product of De Anza Force and Leigh High School.