Otters Tap Into D-II Talent With Six Signings

The second to last group of signings for the 2022 roster is here! To read about the previous groups check out our full Medium page. Featuring players from every level of the formation, almost every player in this group played significant minutes on an NCAA Tournament team this past fall. The Otters Youth Camp will run from June 13th to 16th and is open to youth players of all age, gender, and skill level, registration is now open!

Jasper Rump, GK, Coker

The third goalkeeper set to join the Otters comes to Johnson City off an impressive freshman season with the Cobras. Jasper Rump started all 21 games as a true freshman, recording five shutouts and a 0.728 save percentage. The German keeper’s 83 saves were good for second most in the SAC. As a team, the Cobras won their first-ever SAC Championship, knocking off Mars Hill in double overtime. In the NCAA Tournament, Coker fell 3–2 to eventual Final Four team Nova Southeastern.

Andy Elkins, CB, AUM

Andy Elkins just concluded his collegiate career, starting all but two games in his career with the Auburn University-Montgomery Warhawks. In the fall, the Florida native made 20 appearances, scoring three goals and leading a backline that posted a 0.85 goals against average. Elkins was named to the All-GSC Second Team. Despite a loss in the semifinals of the GSC Tournament, the Warhawks earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, making it to the Elite Eight, before falling to Nova Southeastern. After the season, he was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Second Team and to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team, the first for the Warhawks since they joined Division II. The Warhawks finished ranked eighth overall in the final poll of the season.

Edin Hernandez, MF, Montevallo

Another GSC standout, Edin Hernandez helped lead the Falcons to their first regular season title since 2008 with an 8–2–1 conference record. Starting every game, Hernandez finished with 12 points, and led the team with six assists. His assist with three seconds left in the regular season finale helped secure the regular season title for Montevallo. Hernandez was named to the GSC Second Team and the CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team.

Conal Gallagher, W, UIS

For the second straight year, the Otters will feature a player from UIS on their roster. After leading the Prairie Stars in points in the spring COVID season, Conal Gallagher started 19 of 21 games this fall, scoring five goals and an assist on 44 shots. Despite falling in the conference final to former Otter Kendall Allen and U-Indy, the Prairie Stars earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. In the tournament, UIS beat Maryville 2–1 in OT before once again falling to the U-Indy Greyhounds. After the season, the English attacker was named to the D2CCA All-Midwest Region Second Team. UIS finished ranked 16th in the country in the final poll.

Shoki Yoshida, W, Wilmington

Another freshman, Shoki Yoshida made 20 appearances for the Wildcats this past fall. The Japanese winger finished tied on the team with 14 total points, tallying five goals and four assists for a potent Wildcats offense. Yoshida finished second on the team with 44 shots and 25 on frame. The Wildcats posted a 16–3–1 record and earned a three seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament, where they fell 4–2 Davis & Elkins. Wilmington finished 26th in the final season poll.

Artiz Uriarte, F, Post

The final signing of this group joins the long list of Otters that have come to East Tennessee from Ohio Valley University. Playing under new Otters assistant Diego Thielen, Uriarte made nine appearances, scoring three goals, with the Fighting Scots in the COVID-shortened spring season that saw Ohio Valley go 11–0 and finish third in the national ranking. Following the closure of Ohio Valley University, the Spanish forward transferred to Post University. This past fall, Post won the CACC Tournament and their first round game of the NCAA Tournament before falling to #1 overall seed Franklin Pierce.

*All signings pending league and federation approval*

If you have missed any previous signings, you can see them all here! For more announcements both on and off the field head over to ottersoccer.com and follow @ottersoccer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! #FearTheFur #Path2Pro