DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer team has signed 10 recruits for the upcoming 2022, head coach Jamie Franks announced.
The Pioneers added goalkeeper Isaac Nehme (Colorado Springs, Colo.), defenders Dylan Akau (Kapolei, Hawai'i) and Collin Keller (Denver, Colo.), midfielders David Biggers (Fort Collins, Colo.), Charlie Matsumoto (Mililani, Hawai'i) and Luca Sowinski (Carlsbad, Calif.), Jakob Johnson (Oestersund, Sweden) Colby McDaniel (Double Oak, Texas) and forwards Bryce Willoughby (Houston, Texas) and Kyle McGowan (Portland, Ore.) to the 2022 roster.
"I'm really excited about the 2022 recruiting class," Franks said. "The class is built on their character skills and who they are as people. I'm impressed with their level of focus and their level of intrinsic motivation to get better. Throughout the recruiting process, it was evident that these guys had growth mindsets and an accountability and discipline to getting better. They all play different roles and add different skill sets. We'll ask each of them to bring their best every day. Every year it's about adding highly ambitious individuals that are going to make the internal competition of the team better. We did that with this class, and I look forward to watching some of them make an immediate impact on the program."
Below is biographical information on the new signings.
Isaac Nehme – Goalkeeper – 6'0" – 178 – Colorado Springs, Colo. – Cheyenne Mountain High School – Colorado Rapids Academy
Before Denver:
Called into US National Team Camps, including the U15 Boys National Team Camp in August of 2018…Has frequently had the opportunity to train with the Colorado Rapids first team.
Personal:
Born on March 22, 2004…Son of Ghassan and Julia... Chose the University of Denver because it felt like home…Has attended soccer camps since he was little and have always loved the environment and the culture built at DU…Hopes to continue to reach his full potential as a soccer player and as a person…Also enjoys hiking, skiing and biking.
Dylan Akau – Defender – 5'10" – 150 – Kapolei, Hawai'i – Sunset High School – Portland Timbers Academy
Before Denver:
2016 Region IV Team ODP (club)…Summa Cum Laude.
Personal:
Born on December 27, 2003…Son of Ernest and Akemi...Has one sibling, Brady…Chose the University of Denver because he truly believes the program will sculpt him into becoming the best version of himself on and off the field…Hopes to graduate with a degree and pursue soccer at a professional level…Enjoys surfing, snowboarding and snorkeling.
Collin Keller – Defender – 6'0" – 160 – Denver, Colo. – DSST Conservatory – Colorado Rapids Academy
Before Denver:
Played with the Colorado Rapids Academy since U11, one of the longest serving players in the club…Captained the side multiple seasons, and led the team to the quarterfinals of the national playoffs in his U-15 campaign after an undefeated regular season.
Personal:
Born on July 16, 2003…Son of Jason and Kristen...Has one sibling, Carrson…Chose the University of Denver because he knows he will be pushed to be his best both in the classroom and on the field…Excited to represent his city and wear his city's name across his chest…Hopes to learn and grow as a person in whatever career path he chooses following graduation.
David Biggers – Midfielder – 5'9" – 155 – Fort Collins, Colo. – Fossil Ridge High School – Real Colorado
Before Denver:
Played his club soccer for Real Colorado Edge…Hopes to continue to play well in his four seasons at Denver and play professionally after graduation.
Personal:
Born on April 12, 2003…Son of Brook and Ally...Has one sibling, Ellie…Chose the University of Denver because he wanted to stay in his home state to continue his soccer career…Mom Ally ran track and father Brook played soccer at Drake…Also enjoys skiing and golfing…Member of the National Honor Society.
Charlie Matsumoto – Midfielder – 5'6" – 135 – Mililani, Hawai'i – Sunset High School – Portland Timbers Academy
Before Denver:
Two summa Cum Laude awards at Arizona State's Prep Academy.
Personal:
Born on October 15, 2003…Son of Wade and Cindy... Chose the University of Denver because of the soccer program, the coaches' mentality and the culture of the team…Hopes to become a professional player in Major League Soccer.
Luca Sowinski – Midfielder – 5'8" – 128 – Carlsbad, Calif. – ASU Prep Academy – Barca Academy Arizona
Before Denver:
Top Drawer Soccer three-star rating…Top 20 TDS regional rank (rock mountains and southwest)…U-17 season – scored six goals and added eight assists in 13 competitive games…U19 season – six goals in his first five matches.
Personal:
Born on June 5, 2004…Son of Michael and Camille...Has one sibling, Sophia…Chose the University of Denver because of the style of play, the competitive culture and the history of sending players to the pro ranks…Knew that Denver was the right place for him after visiting the campus, spending time with coaches and meeting with the players.
Jakob Johnson - Midfielder - 6-0 - 170 - Oestersund, Sweden - Wargentinskolan - JGY Wargentin
Before Denver:
Earned the 2018 Youth Player of the Year Award for his club team IFK Oestersund…Earned Student of the Year honors at JGY Wargentin, and award received for outstanding results in both academics and athletics.
Personal:
Born on June 7, 2001…Son of Bengt and Marie...Has one sibling, Rebecka…Chose the University of Denver because of its high level offerings in both soccer and education…Hopes to become the best version of himself and make a proper career out of his sport…Also enjoys tennis and padel.
Colby McDaniel – Midfielder – 5-11 – 150 - Double Oak, Texas – John H. Guyer High School – FC Dallas Academy
Before Denver:
Dallas Cup Finals runner-up in 2020…Top Drawer Soccer US National Finals standout in 2019…Wants to help DU win a national championship while graduating with his MBA and continue his soccer career professionally.
Personal:
Born on October 30, 2003…Son of Keith and Jennifer... Chose the University of Denver because he is very excited to play for this coaching staff and has a lot of respect for the level of accountability the members of the program hold each other to…He was impressed with the campus and is confident his education at DU will challenge and prepare him to be the best version of himself…Enjoys snowboarding, fly fishing, camping and playing guitar.
Bryce Willoughby – Forward – 6'2" – 165 – Houston, Texas – James Madison High School – Houston Dynamo Academy
Before Denver:
U-15 Player of the Year during his time in the Houston Dynamo organization.
Personal:
Born on July 22, 2003…Son of Stuart and Anya...Has one sibling, Johari…Uncle played basketball for UNC Wilmington…Chose the University of Denver because the coaches really believe in his abilities and have helped him a lot through the recruiting process…Loved the campus and wants to make an impact in a new city…Wants to become a professional soccer player…Enjoys playing FIFA and traveling.
Kyle McGowan – Forward – 6'3" – 165 – Portland, Ore. – Baker Web Academy – Portland Timbers Academy
Before Denver:
Played for the Portland Timbers Development Academy.
Personal:
Born on January 17, 2004…Son of Chris and Susan...Has one sibling, Ryan…Chose the University of Denver because it's a great place to be a serious student-athlete…Dad played college soccer at the University of Delaware…Wants to play professional soccer after graduation.
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