Steve Sampson’s first recruiting class nets four new Mustangs

Cal Poly soccer fans have been waiting. Since Steve Sampson was announced as the team’s new head coach, there hasn’t been a ton of fanfare or news during the offseason.

On Tuesday, the team announced four new players they’ll add to the squad that only lost a single senior last season.

For the past few seasons, attacking players have had to fill roles in the central or defensive midfield. Some, like Matt LaGrassa last season, have even had to fill-in at positions like center back. This year’s recruiting class is all midfielders and defensive players who are sure to shore-up a depleted defense that gave up eight goals and went 0-3-1 in their final four games of 2014.

The Mustangs actually ended the season with a winning 8-7-4 record last year, but missed the Big West Tournament by finishing in fourth (last) place in the conference’s North Division.

George Grote (MF)

Grote is from Huntington Beach, but has gained overseas experience over the past three? years withFC Banik Ostrava’s U-19 academy in the Czech Republic.

Because of his experience, Grote might be the most interesting/off the map recruit on the list. With his experience and connections, Sampson’s ability to bring in players from “off the map” is one reason Cal Poly fans are optimistic about the start of Sampson’s tenure in San Luis Obispo. Grote is a wild card. Wild cards are part of what are going to make Sampson’s tenure fun. Grote is the first one.

 Noah Chapleski

Chapleski is a recruit who was committed to Cal Poly before Paul Holocher left. Through two other coaches, Chapleski maintained his commitment and inked on the dotted line this week. There isn’t a ton of information about Chapleski out there and he doesn’t come from California. Having lived in Colorado and watched a lot of prep soccer, I can say that the level can be high in the area.

Lots of players I watched who were from Colorado were technically very strong due to having to play indoor soccer during the winter. I’m thinking Chapleski also is left-footed, which should give other players like Sean Dhillon the ability to move around a little more off the left wing if necessary. If Chapleski is ready to play, he could really give this team additional flexibility with who plays where. With depth an issue last season, providing more of it might be the biggest impact the freshman could have next year.

Peter Delkeskamp

I absolutely love this one. To have local prep stars sign with Cal Poly is a huge deal in all sports. There aren’t a lot of Division-1 athletes in the area. From a fan’s perspective, I believe that the ones who are out there — or are even borderline — should be at Cal Poly.

Delkeskamp is a holding/defensive midfielder, which is also a need the current roster has. Players like LaGrassa have played these positions, but if the Mustangs can get talented scorers playing positions where they can more consistently get opportunities (without having to stay back), they could be more effective. I don’t know whether Delkeskamp will be ready for big minutes next season, but his recruitment and signing doesn’t have much downside that I see.

Louis Heinzer

Heinzer comes from the Sacramento area and was one of the only players I could find who has tweets of himself signing on NLI day last week.

Sampson said in the press release that Heinzer will compete for center back playing time. Cal Poly already has Brett Foreman and Nick Carroll who got significant playing time before missing the later part of last year.

The attacking 5-7 positions on the team have at least 8-10 returning players, so depth at those positions next season is already assured on some level. With the addition on Heinzer and Chapleski (and really this entire recruiting class), the Mustangs are setting themselves up to have a much more balanced roster.

What do you think about this year’s class? Are you pumped for next year’s Big West Soccer season?