Whoever said that people need time to make an impact, may have overlooked this young group of Golden Bears.

California men's soccer team, 1-0-1 after its opening weekend, features a gritty freshmen fivesome that kicked off their collegiate debuts with several notable contributions. The group that includes two four-star prospects according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, has impressed 17-year head coach Kevin Grimes whose preseason expectations of the newcomers came to fruition in the team's two-game homestand.  

The group includes forward Simon Lekressner (Bellevue, Wash.), defender David Burns (El Dorado Hills, Calif.), defender Brian O'Hara (Corona, Calif.) - who was rated the 49th-best senior by College Soccer News - forward Javier Macias (Santa Rosa, Calif.) and goalkeeper Drake Callender (Fair Oaks, Calif.). "Every one of the incoming players is certainly capable of playing. We've seen it already in our matches that all of them are fully capable of playing in real games," Grimes said. "They've all got really great qualities so we're looking forward to them continuing to contribute down the road."

A pair, O'Hara and Callender, have each started in one game recording 92 and 79 minutes of play, respectively. Callender recorded three saves in Cal's 2-2 double-overtime draw with Saint Mary's, while O'Hara provided a strong presence in a tightly-contested 2-1 overtime win for the Bears. Macias, whose 94 minutes of play is the most among the group, saw the field in both contests along with Lekressner who combined for two shots, one on goal.

As the season gets rolling, the Freshmen Five took some time to introduce themselves to the Golden Bear community that will surely want to follow them as their collegiate journey unfolds.

David Burns//El Dorado Hills, Calif.//Defender

On preseason:
Preseason has been very successful for me.  Being exposed to the college level of play has definitely been a positive and challenging experience.  It's definitely took a couple days to adjust to the physicality and athleticism of the team.   

On why he chose to attend Cal:
I chose Cal because I knew I wanted to play at a high level Division 1 school and also complete my academic goals as well.  Cal is definitely the place to excel at both.  
 
On what he likes about Berkeley:
I love the atmosphere of the team.  Every player has respect for one another on and off the field.  Also the coaching staff far exceeds anything that I have been a part of.  The location and facilities are also second to none and create a professional and enjoyable environment.

On team he looks forward to facing:
I do not think in terms of one team that I want to play.  Each team is just an opponent that we need to beat.  To me, it does not matter what name is on the front of the jersey or where they are from. I look forward to winning.
 
Fun fact: I have been playing piano for 13 years.  
 

Brian O'Hara//Corona, Calif.//Defender

On preseason:
Preseason was a great experience as far as me adjusting my playing style to the college style. I came in with great intensity and it also allowed me to get to know the guys a lot better before I actually started league.

On why he chose to attend Cal:
I choose Cal for a number of reasons, the main reason being the head coach KG. His style and his determination is what caught my eye over other coaches. He liked to play the same style I liked, so that helped me narrow my decision down. Cal is somewhat close to my home and has one of the best soccer teams in the nation so I felt the place was for me.

On what he likes about Berkeley:
What I like about Berkeley so far is nature. The weather is beautiful weather to go out and run or go out and walk around the streets without being too cold. Also the trees around campus and the location of Berkeley just catches my eye every time. It's a place with many unforgettable sights.

On team he looks forward to facing:
The team I am looking forward to facing is UCLA. I came to the game last year when our team did not have a good showing against them and lost pretty bad. I feel that this year it's going to be the toughest and most physical match of the season and I am up and ready for the challenge to try and help my team defeat them.

Fun Fact: My dad played college football for a DII school and I was ranked No. 2 out of all center backs in California this past spring on Top Drawer Soccer.

Simon Lekressner//Bellevue, Wash.//Forward

On preseason:
Soccer wise, preseason was really tough; I didn't train with the team for most of it because of an ankle injury, so I mainly just focused on fitness. But altogether, it was really fun getting to know the guys and becoming part of the team.

On why he chose to attend Cal:
I chose Cal because of its amazing academics and its amazing soccer.  I absolutely love the campus.

On what he likes about Berkeley:
I like how there are so many places to eat in Berkeley, I'm a big fan of eating out.

On team he looks forward to facing:
I'm very much looking forward to playing UW, a lot of my friends are going there and I can't wait to beat their team in front of them.

Fun Fact: My dad played D1 tennis at UVA

Javier Macias//Santa Rosa, Calif.//Forward

On preseason:
It has been really exciting and tough but I think we have a great team and I am looking forward to this season.

On why he chose to attend Cal:
It was the best school for me academically and it is close to my hometown.

On what he likes about Berkeley:
Cal soccer stood out because Berkeley always has a strong team and I love that I get to be a part of it and Kevin has been here for many years and I wanted to learn from his experience and coaching.

On team he looks forward to facing:
I'm really looking forward to that UCLA game because of the loss that we had last season.

Drake Callender//Fair Oaks, Calif.//Goalkeeper

On preseason:
The preseason has given me a chance to get a feel of how college soccer is played. In the 3 games we've played, I've gained a lot of confidence and feel ready for our challenging season ahead. It's given me a chance to bond with the team and get to know there playing styles.

On why he chose to attend Cal:
I chose Cal because it excels in academics as well as athletics. Being a part of talented and strong soccer team goes hand in hand with learning from some of the best professors in the world. My hometown is Sacramento so it's not too far away but it's just far enough to get the college experience of being away from home. Since I play Goalkeeper I wanted to know that the coach I was going to be working with will get me to the next level of soccer.

On what he likes about Berkeley:
So far, everyone I've met has been very friendly and easy to talk to. I like how everyone here is engaged in the real world. I enjoy the overcast weather and foggy mornings. The dining halls all have good healthy food as well as the cafes and restaurants around Berkeley.

On team he looks forward to facing:
I'm looking forward to facing Stanford because they are our Bay Area rival and have a good strong team.

Fun Fact: Aside from soccer, I love track and field. My events were the 200-meter dash, the shot put, and the long jump. I was either going to play soccer in college or do track and field. But I chose soccer because I realized having a team that is like your second family is something I want to be a part of at Cal.