Yellowjacket Soccer Signs Defensive MVP from California (May 26, 2004)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings head men’s soccer coach Doug Seigle announced Wednesday that Joshua Hernandez of Palmdale, Calif. has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Yellowjackets next fall.  The 5-foot-9 defender graduated from Paraclete High School in Lancaster, Calif.

“Josh is a quality player who can play multiple positions,” said Seigle.  “I’m looking for him to be a starter as a freshman.  He’s a good tactical player, closes down spaces and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.  Josh is a patient player, but also has the skills to attack from a defensive position.  He’s the type of player that will make the team better.  He’s smart on the field, accomplished in the classroom and will add quality to our program.”

Hernandez was the CIF-SS (California Interscholastic Federation, Southern Section) Division V Defensive Player of the Year as a senior after helping Paraclete advance to the divisional finals.  He also scored six goals and was named his team’s most valuable player.  Hernandez earned first team all-league honors in the CIF-SS, California’s largest CIF section.  Paraclete won the divisional championship in Hernandez’s junior season.

A three-year letter winner in both baseball and soccer, Hernandez joins an improving Yellowjackets program that has won six games in each of the last two years.  MSU Billings will play its largest home schedule ever in 2004 with six home dates.