SIUE men's soccer Head Coach Cale Wassermann has added to his 2022 roster with the addition of 13 student-athletes. The Cougars have added eight freshmen and five transfers for the upcoming season.
"I am thrilled to welcome these guys into our Cougar family and cannot wait to get to work with them," Wassermann said. "While working on short timelines and then through the pandemic in our first two classes, I feel this is our first time we were able to go through the full process with a recruiting class and bring in guys who really fit how we want to play and who we want to be on and off the field."
The class is detailed below.
Ignacio "Nacho" Abeal Pou
5-9, 160, Junior, Forward
A Caruña, Spain
Played in 14 games, making 11 starts for Jefferson College in 2021…Second team All-Region selection…Third on the team with nine points on two goals and five assists…Took 16 shots, including five on goal.
From Coach Wasserman: "Nacho is a hard working player who will affect both sides of the ball."
Adrian Valencia Baarregaard
6-0, 165, Freshman, Forward
Reykjavik, Iceland
Played for Þrottur Reykjavík (Iceland) playing both with the U19 side as well as playing with the men's side.
From Coach Wassermann: "Adrian has great timing and technique as well as a nose for the goal. He can work in isolation or combination play and is not afraid to shoot from distance or deliver dangerous crosses."
Billy Batch
5-7, 145, Freshman, Defender
Norwich, England
Played at Fleetwood Town FC Academy in England.
From Coach Wassermann: "Billy is a tough-nosed defender who will bring great energy while also bringing quality in the build up and attacking phases of the game."
Alvaro Bazaco Camino
6-2, 170, Sophomore, Goalkeeper
Madrid, Spain
Spent seven seasons at Atletico Madrid Academy in Spain.
From Coach Wassermann: "Alvaro is a lengthy goalkeeper who has a great balance of shot-stopping, aerial presence, and distribution. He is an exciting prospect with a great pedigree."
Sebastian Ignacio Borquez
5-4, 145, Junior, Forward
Santiago, Chile
Played previously at University of Rio Grande (NAIA)…Selected as Conference Offensive Player of the year as a sophomore in 2021 after leading the team with 30 points and 12 goals...Spent time with the Chilean U18 National Team prior to coming to United States.
From Coach Wassermann: "Sebastian has the ability to unlock defensive units and will add a spark or excitement and creativity to our attack."
Owen Hardy
5-9, 145, Freshman, Midfielder
Kirkwood, Missouri
Captained STLFC's U19 team…Started every game in the midfield for STLFC but can play wide or up front. Played for SIUE alumnus Steve Trittschuh and former SIUE assistant Ian Henry at STLFC. Former Youth National Champion with Saint Louis Scott Gallagher.
From Coach Wassermann: "Owen is a local talent who is great competitor and teammate. He plays with a fearless mentaility which is something special and exciting."
Will Harris
6-4, 180, Junior, Defender
Coventry, England
Transferred to SIUE in January…Appeared in 56 games over three seasons at Indiana Tech (NAIA)…Second team All-American in 2021… Two-time Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Defender of the Year…Started 19 games in 2021…Scored eight goals over three seasons at Indiana Tech.
From Coach Wassermann: "We were thrilled to get Will here in January to allow him to settle in. He is a smart, experienced defender with great distribution and will help lead our back line."
Alsadiq Hasan
5-10, 165, Grad, Midfielder
St. Louis
Originally from Baghdad, Iraq…Transferring from Quincy University…Two-Time All-Great Lakes Valley Conference selection…Tallied two goals and added three assists in 2021...Played with STLFC's USL2 club…Played for Saint Louis Scott Gallagher Elite during high school…Attended Lindbergh High School in St. Louis.
From Coach Wassermann: "Sadiq has proven in both college and USL2 to be a top level midfielder but his mindset is what sets him apart. He will bring ability on the field, but we also are excited about the leadership he will bring to the group."
Garrison Hill
6-2, 175, Freshman, Defender
Kansas City, Missouri
Plays for Sporting Blue Valley soccer club.
From Coach Wassermann: "Garrison is center back who is extremely athletic and smart on the field. He will add depth to the center back position and has a huge upside being one of the top players in Kansas City."
Ethan Kornas
5-11, 150, Freshman, Goalkeeper
Huntley, Illinois
Starting Goalkeeper for Eclipse Soccer Club… Helped club to 2021 ECNL National Championship..Club also was 2019 ECNL National Championship Runner-Up.
From Coach Wassermann: "Kornas is an athletic goalkeeper who brings intensity and energy to the position and is capable of making the big time save."
Johnny Leigh
5-8, 160, Freshman, Midfielder
St. Charles, Missouri
Joined SIUE in January…Captain of STLFC U19 Academy and previously won a youth National Championship with the Saint Louis Scott Gallagher…Captain at every age group he played for SLSG/STLFC…Played for SIUE soccer alumnus Steve Trittschuh and former SIUE assistant Ian Henry at STLFC.
From Coach Wassermann: "Johnny is a versatile left-footed player who is so focused and dedicated to his craft. He brings a great balance of possession and discipline but also can change a game with his shooting ability from distance."
Anthony Navarra
5-11, 175, Freshman, Defender
San Diego, California
Just finished a gap year program in Valencia, Spain, where he was a part of the Eture program… Played for Albion Academy out of San Diego, California.
From Coach Wassermann: "The left-footed defender is an elite athlete with a great mindset who will be bring both technical and physical tools upon arriving in Edwardsville."
Zach Renz
5-10, 165, Freshman, Midfielder
Wentzville, Missouri
Just finished a gap year program in Valencia, Spain, where he was a part of the Eture program…Played for Saint Louis Scott Gallagher Elite for his youth career.
From Coach Wassermann: "A versatile midfelder with a great balance to work rate, technical ability, vision, and discipline."
"This class has such a great balance of guys who bring different qualities in different parts of the field; but more than anything I really feel these guys will mesh well with our current group," Wassermann added. "Our group of returners put in a phenomenal spring season with culture being at the forefront of everything we did, and I am excited to add this new class into that mix.
"I am thankful to our staff and everyone who was involved in assisting to bring this class together. I am looking forward to a bright future with these guys."
Original source can be found here.
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