The Northern Michigan University men's soccer team will be adding eleven newcomers to the roster for the 2023 season including three transfers, two sophomores, and six freshmen.
'I couldn't be more excited to announce our 2023 incoming class. They bring a level of talent that puts us ahead of schedule in our development as a program, but they are also all great guys that will add a ton of value to our culture and locker room" say's head coach Alex Fatovic.
"I'd first like to thank our staff for all their hard work this off-season, securing what I believe to be one of the best incoming classes in NCAA Division Two. We wanted to bring in more local Michigan and Wisconsin talent, we wanted to bring in talent from around the country and internationally, and we had several holes we needed to fill. We accomplished just about every one of those objectives this off-season, and combined with the work our returners have put in, 2023 is shaping up to be a fun year. We can't wait to get started!"
Bryce Beckley - Transfer - Wisconsin Lutheran
"I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Bryce as part of this class, even though he was a winter transfer from Wisconsin Lutheran. We got a chance to play him last fall, and he made a number of top-level saves, so when he reached out and showed interest, we knew we needed to get him. Bryce has been a great addition this spring on and off the field. He integrated himself into our culture from day 1 and showed he could play our style with great feet, distribution, and shot-stopping ability. Again, Welcome, Bryce!"
Fernando "Ferchu" Abascal - Graduate Transfer - Hofstra
"Fernando is a top-level striker from the north of Spain that spent last year at Division 1 Hofstra, typically a top 25 program that won their conference last year. Fernando has a nose for goal and can also play out wide as a right-wing. Ferchu is an excellent addition to our culture and will be studying his master's in sports science. Welcome, Ferchu!"
Jayson Janofski - Transfer - Jackson Community College
"We are really excited about Jayson and his ability to score goals and keep the ball. Jayson played for Jackson Community College last fall, scoring 11 goals in 10 games while earning a spot on the All-region first team. Jayson has a lot of versatility up front and can play a number of positions, so we'll see where he best fits in here, but with his pace and nose for goal, he'll be a handful for GLIAC defenders wherever he plays. Welcome Jayson!"
Florian "Flo" Palmowski - Sophomore - Hertha Berlin Academy
"Florian is a top-level goalkeeper from Germany who played his entire young career in the Hertha Berlin academy of the Bundesliga. Flo obviously comes from a high-level environment and excels with his feet, in the air, and shot-stopping off his line. Still, I believe his personality and competitive nature set him apart from other goalkeepers at this level. We expect big things from Flo, and he does of himself, which is where you want your players to be. Welcome Flo!"
Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin - Freshman - Albion Soccer Club - MLSNext
"Jaziel comes to us from MLSNext club Albion in San Diego and is another versatile attacker that primarily plays on the left wing, but can play anywhere across the front line or attacking midfield. Jaziel comes with a hard-working mentality, but is also very good in possession and 1v1. We expect him to help us score goals right away. Welcome Jaziel"
Alessandro "Ale" Scialanga - Sophomore - US Lecce Academy
"Ale is a left-footed left-back/winger from Italy, having spent most of his youth career with the Lecce Academy in the Italian Serie-A. Ale is a massive signing for us as it gives us a top-level left-footed defender that will ultimately provide balance across the whole back line. On top of that, Ale is an excellent student, character, and personality who will immediately impact our entire program. Welcome, Ale!"
Davian Gumbs - Freshman - Midwest United - MLSNext
Davian is a prospect with high potential out of Grand Rapids, MI, and plays with the club Midwest United of the MLSNext. Davian has versatility and will bring depth and athleticism to the back line and both wide areas. Davian was one of the first 2023's we spoke to upon taking over the program and has shown a true passion for NMU and our program. We expect Davian to help us right away. Welcome, Davian!"
Teddy Gibbeau - Freshman- Milwaukee Bavarians - MLSNext
"Teddy comes to us from the famed Milwaukee Bavarians club of the MLSNext and is a traditional center forward with a true nose for goal. Although we found Teddy late in the process, it could not have been a better fit for what we were looking for at the nine position. Through the process, Teddy has demonstrated not only the ability to score goals, play and hold the ball in tight spaces and connect lines, but he's also the perfect example of the character we try to recruit here. We are so excited to have Teddy join our team and expect him to make an impact in year 1! Welcome Teddy!"
Finn Van Der Berg - Freshman - SC Heerenveen Academy -
"Finn is another high-level signing, having played his entire youth career at the world-famous SC Heerenveen Academy of the Dutch Eredivisie. Finn is another left-footed defender that can play central or out wide, but similar to Ale; he will bring massive balance throughout our back line and team with his left foot. Finn is very comfortable on the ball in possession, but he also has a tremendous defensive mind and has excellent timing when stepping in to win tackles. Finn is another great character to add to our culture, and we expect him to step in right away to help the team. Welcome, Finn!"
Drake Okumura - Freshman - Albion Soccer Club - MLSNext
"Drake is another huge signing for us who plays primarily as a defensive midfielder for Albion Soccer Club of the MLSNext in San Diego. Drake is known for his crunching tackles, hard work, and team-first mentality, which are essential for how we play. Drake has one of the best personalities I've experienced while recruiting and will be a massive asset to us on and off the field. We expect Drake to be part of the central midfield rotation right away. Welcome, Drake!"
Robert Wright - Freshman - Vardar - MLSNext
Robert comes to us from the famous Vardar club in metro Detroit. Robert is a young goalkeeper prospect with a great passion for NMU that will add depth to our strong goalkeeper core. Robert has great feet and is a natural shot-stopper and will look to push our older goalkeepers right away. Welcome Robert!"
'I couldn't be more excited to announce our 2023 incoming class. They bring a level of talent that puts us ahead of schedule in our development as a program, but they are also all great guys that will add a ton of value to our culture and locker room" say's head coach Alex Fatovic.
"I'd first like to thank our staff for all their hard work this off-season, securing what I believe to be one of the best incoming classes in NCAA Division Two. We wanted to bring in more local Michigan and Wisconsin talent, we wanted to bring in talent from around the country and internationally, and we had several holes we needed to fill. We accomplished just about every one of those objectives this off-season, and combined with the work our returners have put in, 2023 is shaping up to be a fun year. We can't wait to get started!"
Bryce Beckley - Transfer - Wisconsin Lutheran
"I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Bryce as part of this class, even though he was a winter transfer from Wisconsin Lutheran. We got a chance to play him last fall, and he made a number of top-level saves, so when he reached out and showed interest, we knew we needed to get him. Bryce has been a great addition this spring on and off the field. He integrated himself into our culture from day 1 and showed he could play our style with great feet, distribution, and shot-stopping ability. Again, Welcome, Bryce!"
Fernando "Ferchu" Abascal - Graduate Transfer - Hofstra
"Fernando is a top-level striker from the north of Spain that spent last year at Division 1 Hofstra, typically a top 25 program that won their conference last year. Fernando has a nose for goal and can also play out wide as a right-wing. Ferchu is an excellent addition to our culture and will be studying his master's in sports science. Welcome, Ferchu!"
Jayson Janofski - Transfer - Jackson Community College
"We are really excited about Jayson and his ability to score goals and keep the ball. Jayson played for Jackson Community College last fall, scoring 11 goals in 10 games while earning a spot on the All-region first team. Jayson has a lot of versatility up front and can play a number of positions, so we'll see where he best fits in here, but with his pace and nose for goal, he'll be a handful for GLIAC defenders wherever he plays. Welcome Jayson!"
Florian "Flo" Palmowski - Sophomore - Hertha Berlin Academy
"Florian is a top-level goalkeeper from Germany who played his entire young career in the Hertha Berlin academy of the Bundesliga. Flo obviously comes from a high-level environment and excels with his feet, in the air, and shot-stopping off his line. Still, I believe his personality and competitive nature set him apart from other goalkeepers at this level. We expect big things from Flo, and he does of himself, which is where you want your players to be. Welcome Flo!"
Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin - Freshman - Albion Soccer Club - MLSNext
"Jaziel comes to us from MLSNext club Albion in San Diego and is another versatile attacker that primarily plays on the left wing, but can play anywhere across the front line or attacking midfield. Jaziel comes with a hard-working mentality, but is also very good in possession and 1v1. We expect him to help us score goals right away. Welcome Jaziel"
Alessandro "Ale" Scialanga - Sophomore - US Lecce Academy
"Ale is a left-footed left-back/winger from Italy, having spent most of his youth career with the Lecce Academy in the Italian Serie-A. Ale is a massive signing for us as it gives us a top-level left-footed defender that will ultimately provide balance across the whole back line. On top of that, Ale is an excellent student, character, and personality who will immediately impact our entire program. Welcome, Ale!"
Davian Gumbs - Freshman - Midwest United - MLSNext
Davian is a prospect with high potential out of Grand Rapids, MI, and plays with the club Midwest United of the MLSNext. Davian has versatility and will bring depth and athleticism to the back line and both wide areas. Davian was one of the first 2023's we spoke to upon taking over the program and has shown a true passion for NMU and our program. We expect Davian to help us right away. Welcome, Davian!"
Teddy Gibbeau - Freshman- Milwaukee Bavarians - MLSNext
"Teddy comes to us from the famed Milwaukee Bavarians club of the MLSNext and is a traditional center forward with a true nose for goal. Although we found Teddy late in the process, it could not have been a better fit for what we were looking for at the nine position. Through the process, Teddy has demonstrated not only the ability to score goals, play and hold the ball in tight spaces and connect lines, but he's also the perfect example of the character we try to recruit here. We are so excited to have Teddy join our team and expect him to make an impact in year 1! Welcome Teddy!"
Finn Van Der Berg - Freshman - SC Heerenveen Academy -
"Finn is another high-level signing, having played his entire youth career at the world-famous SC Heerenveen Academy of the Dutch Eredivisie. Finn is another left-footed defender that can play central or out wide, but similar to Ale; he will bring massive balance throughout our back line and team with his left foot. Finn is very comfortable on the ball in possession, but he also has a tremendous defensive mind and has excellent timing when stepping in to win tackles. Finn is another great character to add to our culture, and we expect him to step in right away to help the team. Welcome, Finn!"
Drake Okumura - Freshman - Albion Soccer Club - MLSNext
"Drake is another huge signing for us who plays primarily as a defensive midfielder for Albion Soccer Club of the MLSNext in San Diego. Drake is known for his crunching tackles, hard work, and team-first mentality, which are essential for how we play. Drake has one of the best personalities I've experienced while recruiting and will be a massive asset to us on and off the field. We expect Drake to be part of the central midfield rotation right away. Welcome, Drake!"
Robert Wright - Freshman - Vardar - MLSNext
Robert comes to us from the famous Vardar club in metro Detroit. Robert is a young goalkeeper prospect with a great passion for NMU that will add depth to our strong goalkeeper core. Robert has great feet and is a natural shot-stopper and will look to push our older goalkeepers right away. Welcome Robert!"
