SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara men's soccer signed Jackson Blake, a 6-foot-4 center-back from New Zealand.
Blake, a multi-sport athlete, played the 2023 season for the U20 Christchurch United Football Club that were - Cup Winners along with capturing the Men's Canterbury Championship, the National U19 Satellite Tournament and the U19 Canterbury Development Cup while posting a 38-1-1 record.
"I chose Santa Clara because of the highly ranked academics and athletic accomplishments, as well as the tremendous experience of the coaching staff," said Blake. "I am very grateful for this opportunity. I am also really fortunate to have had SCU alumni player Paul Holocher as my coach in New Zealand over the past 12 months, who couldn't speak highly enough of Santa Clara. I can't wait to get started!"
Holocher ended his four-year career (1987-90) as the Broncos' scoring leader, team captain, and All-American. In his junior year, he helped lead Santa Clara to its first-ever national title playing alongside current Broncos head coach Cam Rast and associate head coach
Eric Yamamoto.
Blake also played water polo, tennis, basketball, skied and did the triathlon as well as ran track at St. Andrew's College in Christchurch. He will have four years of eligibility with the Broncos.
"Jackson comes highly recommended from New Zealand and will bring some important depth to our back line," said Rast. "When we saw him play recently we felt his size and build suits the college game. On top of that he has some good technical ability on the ball which will help us build and control the game. His upside is very good so we are excited to have him joining the program and look forward to working with him."
Blake is the seventh signee in the 2024 recruiting class.
2024 Signees
Florian Deletioglu - Release
Khalil Rashad - Release
Carter Tseu - Release
Baronyi Kengeye - Release
Tyler Tipton - Release
Kai Hatten - Release
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