PORTLAND, Ore - Eight new players will suit up for Warner Pacific, including 3 freshman and 5 transfers.

Joining the Knights from the high school ranks are Drew Bonifacio, Fikret Sacirovic, and Brandon Tatum.

Drew Bonifacio arrives from Southridge High in Beaverton where he was team captain and MVP his senior year. He also earned 1st team all-Metro and Honorable Mention All-State for his outstanding play. Drew also has many years of club experience including five years in Oregon Olympic Development.

Local product Fikret Sacirovic hails from David Douglas HS where he was a 2007 First Team All-Mt. Hood League and teammate with cousin and current Knight Alija Sacirovic. Fikret spent a year at Mt. Hood CC and will be a freshman at WPC.

Brandon Tatum, a 5-7 midfielder, earned 2nd team All-Mt Hood League as a senior at Gresham High School where he was also team captain.

Transfers Joel Duenas, Julian Esquivel, Sean Ervin, Carlos Pehr, and Cody St. John will bolster the ranks immediately, providing needed experience.

Joel "Tiny" Duenas comes to Warner Pacific from Chemeketa Community College where was an NWAACC All-Star selection in 2008. The striker had 10 goals and 4 assists helping the Storm to a 10-2-6 record, a South Division Championship and 2nd place in the NWAACC tournament.

Also from Chemeketa is Julian Esquivel, who scored 3 goals and assisted on 3 others while garnering NWAACC All-Star accolades as a midfielder. 

Both Duenas and Esquivel prepped at McNary High School in Salem where each earned 1st Team All-State honors as seniors.

Experienced goalkeeper Sean Ervin will add depth to the Knight defense. The 6-0, 195 lb. net minder was a 2 year starter at Clark College in Vancouver. Ervin was selected as an NWAACC All-Star
in 2007.

Talented goal scorer and George Fox transfer Carlos Pehr joins the Knights in 2009. The 5-7, 170 lb forward scored 5 goals and had 3 assists as a freshman for the Bruins in 2007, and was named 2nd team All-NWC. He also had a stellar high school career, scoring 26 goals as a senior at Woodburn HS and named Mid -Willamette league Player of the Year and 1st team all-state.

Cody St. John will don the Black and Blue as a battle tested defensive midfielder. In two seasons at former CCC foe Cascade College, St. John played in 28 games, starting 20, helping the T-Birds to a 19-17-1 record over that span.

"I am very pleased with the talent level and character of these young men," said coach Fagan. "Each will elevate our play and make 2009 an exciting year for Knight soccer."