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CNCC soccer’s roster keeps building with Craig talent

5 sign Friday for Spartans, multiple players in line to join men’s women’s program

Craig Daily Press Staff Report
The Craig Colorado Northwestern Community College soccer program welcomes multiple new players Friday for its upcoming inaugural fall season, as well as new personnel with the team. Seated, from left, trainer Marshall Kraker, Johnny Landa, Marco Ayala, Marshall Henry, Christian Viramontes, Alejandro Almaraz and assistant coach Tim Kaiser. Standing: the CNCC Spartan mascot, head coach Lance Noble and assistant coach Joe Eades. Additional players who have committed to CNCC soccer but were unable to attend the ceremony include Craig's Alexis Chavez and Meeker's Raul Lopez for the men and Craig's Allie Ehlers for the women.
Andy Bockelman

Craig’s Colorado Northwestern Community CollegeColorado Northwestern Community College campus brought on multiple talents this week, with five players signing their letters of intent for the men’s team during a Friday press conference. campus brought on multiple talents this week, with five players signing their letters of intent for the men’s team during a Friday press conference.

Colorado Northwestern Community College campus brought on multiple talents this week, with five players signing their letters of intent for the men’s team during a Friday press conference.

Among the athletes who put pen to paper to play for the Spartans this fall were four Moffat County High SchoolMoffat County High School graduates, including Johnny Landa, Marco Ayala, Christian Viramontes and Alejandro Almaraz. graduates, including Johnny Landa, Marco Ayala, Christian Viramontes and Alejandro Almaraz.

Moffat County High School graduates, including Johnny Landa, Marco Ayala, Christian Viramontes and Alejandro Almaraz.

Landa graduated from MCHS in 2012 and Viramontes and Almaraz both in 2015. Ayala graduated earlier this year. All were part of the Bulldog boys soccer team while in high school.



Additionally, Marshall Henry signed with the team. Henry is originally from Jamaica, and graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2014, part of the Sailors soccer team while there.

Head coach Lance Noble also introduced two other additions: Marshall Kraker, who will serve as medical trainer in addition to his work with MCHS through The Memorial Hospital, and Tim Kaiser, who works in IT for the college and will be an assistant coach for the men’s squad.



Three additional regional players have also committed but have not yet officially signed with the soccer program as they were unable to attend the press conference. MCHS alumnus Alexis Chavez and Meeker’s Raul Lopez will play for the men, while Allie Ehlers, also an MCHS alum, will join the women’s team.

Noble and assistant Joe Eades have also contacted players from as far away as California and Texas to join the program and are looking for their letters of intent to arrive soon.

Noble also plans to bring in San Antonio’s Rick Kessel, a former professional player, to work with his goaltenders at the beginning of August before regular practices start for field players.

CNCC home games will take place at Loudy-Simpson Park. A scrimmage is tentatively scheduled to start the season Aug. 10 in Sheridan, Wyoming, while the first home games for men and women are currently planned for Sept. 9 and 10 against Salt Lake Community College.

“Everything’s starting to come together,” Noble said.


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