MORAGA, Calif. -- After saying goodbye to the most successful class in school history last fall, Saint Mary's men's soccer coach Adam Cooper knew he would need a group of newcomers that could successfully compete right away.

With today's announcement of nine talented student-athletes joining the program this fall, Cooper believes he has a group that can do exactly that.

The incoming class of newcomers set to arrive on campus when the Gaels report for fall training on August 13 are twin defenders Alex and Ben Braman of Niwot, Colo.; midfielder Ever De La Torre of Pasadena, Calif.;  midfielder Nathan Grixti of San Ramon, Calif.;  goalkeeper Andrew Konstantino of Hercules, Calif.;  midfielder Josue Mendoza of San Jose, Calif.;  forward Matt Reiser of Redding, Calif.;  midfielder Rafael Sanchez of Selah, Wash.; and forward Justin Schrager of Omaha, Neb.

"I'm very excited about the potential of this year's incoming class of student-athletes," said Cooper, who owns the best winning percentage of any head coach in program history.  "As a whole, this class will make an immediate impact on our team and we have the potential to challenge for the West Coast Conference title this year.  They are also all strong academically, have solid character and fit well within the culture of Saint Mary's.

"The last two classes form the nucleus of our team for the next several years.  They both are young, motivated, hard-working and have the attributes that can help us sustain the success we've enjoyed the last few years.  We were able to sign quality players at every position that have great experience with their academy or club teams and have played in big-time games against big-time opponents."

Saint Mary's is coming off its most successful four-year stretch since the program began in 1978.  During that period, the Gaels have won 60 percent of its matches, earned two NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to the 2011 NCAA Sweet 16 after winning the program's first West Coast Conference title.

The Gaels return seven starters and 14 letterwinners from last year's team that went 9-5-5 and finished third in the WCC with a 5-4-3 mark. 

Complete story & biographical information on SMCGaels.com