IRVINE, Calif. --- UCI's defense of its Big West title will begin with defenders like Thomas Janjigian (Pleasanton / Amador Valley HS).

Janjigian went to Amador Valley High School under coach Ken Villegas from 2009-11. Janjigian grew up with the Ballistic United Soccer Club before joining Mustang Soccer Club with coach Arturo Colmenero. With those clubs, his teams were two-time Norcal Premier League State Cup Champions, Elk Grove Everton Cup finalists, and played in the Copa Catalunya Tournament.

Currently, Janjigian is playing with Eric Yamamoto and Chris Dangerfield on the De Anza Force Academy. That club earned champions honors in the Norcal Spring League and NHB Cup.

Along with club play, Janjigian trained with the U.S. Soccer Market Training and coach Hugo Perez and the 2010 Cal North State Olympic Development Pool (ODP) team.

Outside of the soccer field, Janjigian was also named a three-time CIF Scholar-Athlete.

Head Coach George Kuntz adds that, "Thomas is another talented player from Northern California who will bring his size, speed, tenacious competitive nature, and educated left foot to the UC Irvine program. His coaches, Eric Yamamoto and Chris Dangerfield at the De Anza Force Academy, are well respected and known. We feel he has the ability to do big things here over the course of his career, and see him competing with the best in the conference at his position on the left side of the pitch."

Janjigian will join an Anteater squad coming off its third NCAA tournament appearance as a National Seed stemming from a Big West regular season title and its third Big West tournament championship in the last four years.

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