LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell men's soccer head coach Kyle Zenoni has announced the addition of 17 newcomers ahead of the 2025 season.

"This class is electrifying with a perfect blend of experience and youth," said Zenoni. "My staff and I have worked very hard to find players that fit our style of play. The goal is to create inter-team competition to take us to another level. The program has gotten better each year, and this class will take the program to new heights with high expectations on the field, in the classroom, and a commitment to community service. We've put together the right players, and together, we're going to have an exciting season."

The incoming class features one graduate student transfer in goalkeeper Jorge Ortega (Tijuana, B.C., Mexico), one senior transfer in forward David Garcia (El Paso, Tx.), four junior transfers, forwards Linus Musielak (Dortmund, Germany), Ethan Young (Kansas City, Mo.), and Ethan Agyare-Danso (Etobicoke, Canada) and midfielder Alex Champagne (Pembroke Pines, Fl.), and three sophomore transfers in forward Justin Pham (Liverpool, N.Y.), midfielder Liam Duggan (Pickering, Ontario) and defender Aamir Ketbache (Frankfurt am Main, Germany). The River Hawks will also welcome eight true freshmen in goalkeepers Thomas Forensich (Mequon, Wis.), Tanay Medam (San Jose, Calif.), and Alvaro Medrano (Guatemala City, Guatemala), forwards Ben Inthisone (Sun Prairie, Wis.) and Juan-Pablo Correa (Wakefield, Mass.), midfielder George Nouaime (Falmouth, Mass.) and defenders Maxim Makar (Nashua, N.H.) and Li Feng (Suwon, South Korea).
 
Meet the Players
 
Name: Jorge Ortega
Class: Graduate Student
Hometown/High School: Tijuana, B.C./Mexico
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-3
Major: Business Administration (MBA)

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played soccer for three years at the University of South Florida.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer in high school in Mexico … Was named an Academic Scholar his senior year … Tabbed to the Academic Team as a junior and freshman … Earned Region Goalkeeper of the Year honors as a sophomore.

PERSONAL: Son of Julio and Belen … Names golf and pickleball as two of his hobbies … Says Harry Potter is his favorite movie series … Chose to attend UMass Lowell for the academics.

 
Name: David Garcia
Class: Senior
Hometown/High School: El Paso, Tx./Eastlake
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Major: Economics

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played one year at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) … Appeared in nine games, making three starts … Totaled five shots, including three on goal, for a .600 shot on goal percentage.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Eastlake High School … Was named All-State, All-City, and All-Region his senior year … As a junior he was tabbed the Offensive MVP and named All-State.

PERSONAL: Son of David and Rosa … Has three siblings (Kimberly, Darren, and Daniel) … Likes to hang out with friends and go to the gym in his free time … Names Snowfall as his favorite TV show … Says his favorite professional sports teams are the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Cowboys … Names Stephen Curry as his favorite sports figure … Says his greatest sports moment was scoring the game winner in a playoff final … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because "it felt like it was the right place for me."
 
 
Name: Linus Musielak
Class: Junior
Hometown/High School: Dortmund, Germany/Adalbert-Stifter Gymnasium
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Major: Quantitative Economics

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played two seasons at Casper College … Tallied seven goals and eight assists as a sophomore … Was first in assists in Region 9 … Named First Team All-Region.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Adalbert-Stifter Gymnasium … During his time in high school, he played for the club TSC Eintracht Dortmund for several years … Was a captain of the team for three seasons … Won the cup "Westfalenpokal".

PERSONAL: Son of Joerg and Birke … Has two siblings (Mariano and Lia) … Some of his hobbies include playing basketball, tennis, and ping pong … Names Suits as his favorite TV show … Says his favorite professional team is Borrussia Dortmund and his favorite sports figures are Marco Reus and Mario Götze … Says his greatest sports moment was winning the conference and going to the 2023 National Tournament with Casper College … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because of the "great athletic and academic mix to reach my goals."
 
 
Name: Ethan Young
Class: Junior
Hometown/High School: Kansas City, Mo./Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Major: Exercise Science 

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played two seasons at Loyola Chicago … Tallied a goal and two assists in 11 appearances.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer, basketball, baseball, and ran track at Saint Thomas Aquinas … Named First Team All-State and Second Team All-Conference as a senior and junior … Finished tenth all-time in goals scored and seventh in points in his high school's history … 2023 Boys ECNL Playoffs National Finalist  … Won the state championship in 2020.

PERSONAL: Son of Nelson and Kerry … Has one sibling (Avery) … Likes to travel, read, cook, and lists fashion as an interest of his … Names The Bear as his favorite TV show … Says his favorite professional sports teams are any Kansas City team, but preferably the Chiefs, and Manchester United … Lists Michael Jordan, Marcus Rashford, Messi, and Alphonso Davies as his favorite sports figures … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because "I feel like being at UMass Lowell will not only challenge me as a student and an athlete, but also as a personal and will be push me to only be better. I truly believe in what the school and the men's soccer staff stand for and cannot wait to see where my time here takes me."

 
Name: Ethan Agyare-Danso
Class: Junior
Hometown/High School: Etobicoke, Canada/Holy Cross Catholic Academy
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Major: Economics

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played two seasons at CCSU … Started every game in 2024 … Logged six goals and four assists … Tabbed NEC Prime Performer in the final week of the 2024 season.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer, volleyball, badminton, and ran track at Holy Cross Catholic Academy … Named the Male Athlete of the Year and team captain as a senior … District soccer champions all four years in high school … Provincial soccer champions as a junior.

PERSONAL: Son of Francis and Mavis … Has one sibling (Zara) … Likes to travel and explore new places in the world … Names Black Mirror as his favorite TV show … Says his favorite professional teams are Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur and that his favorite sports figure is Messi … Says his greatest sports moment was winning OFSAA (high school provincial championship) as a junior … Chose UMass Lowell because "it seemed like the perfect place to hone my skills and push myself."

 
Name: Alex Champagne
Class: Junior
Hometown/High School: Pembroke Pines, Fl./Pembroke Pines Charter
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-10
Major: Exercise Science

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played soccer at Temple University … Named to the All-Academic District Team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Pembroke Pines Charter High School … Named to the All-County High School First Team and ECNL National Selection Team as a senior … Captain of his high school and club teams as a senior and junior … Tabbed to the All-County High School First Team as a junior.

PERSONAL: Son of Ernot and Luna … Has one sibling (Randall) … Says his favorite TV show is Suits … Lists Arsenal and the Philadelphia Eagles as his favorite pro teams … Names Ezekiel Eze and Xavi Simons as his favorite sports figures … Names assisting the penalty kick to beat Akron last season as his greatest sports moment … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because "It's a nice city and an up and coming soccer team."
 
 
Name: Justin Pham
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown/High School: Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Major: Business

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played one year at Lemoyne … Named to the NEC All-Rookie Team and was a two-time NEC Rookie of the Week … Scored two goals and added four assists, including the game-winner on a penalty kick against #7 Syracuse in a 1-0 win … Logged 1,188 minutes and was the only player to play all 17 games.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Liverpool High School … Played up with 17's as a sophomore and played on live television vs Montreal his junior year … Named the school president as a senior.

PERSONAL: Son of Henry and Helen … Has three siblings (Johnny, Jayden, Jazmin) … Likes to play basketball in his free time … Names Outer Banks as his favorite TV show … Says the New York Knicks are his favorite professional team and Neymar Jr. is his favorite sports figure … Names his greatest sports moment as scoring the game-winner to upset #7 Syracuse 1-0 … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because "the coaches who hosted me during my visit created an environment of trust and genuine connection that extended beyond the soccer field. I feel confident in their guidance, both as mentors and as individuals I can rely on. Additionally, Coach Kyle offers the platform and support necessary to help me advance to the next stage of my career."

 
Name: Liam Duggan
Class: Sophomore
Hometown/High School: Pickering, Ontario/Pickering
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-11
Major: Business Administration

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played one season at USC Upstate … Named to the Big South All-Freshman Team and was a one-time Big South Freshman of the Week award winner … Started in 15 of his 17 appearances … Logged one goal and four assists.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Pickering High School.

PERSONAL: Son of Chris and Liza … Names cooking and fashion as some of his hobbies and interests … Says Arrested Development and The Office are some of his favorite TV shows … Lists Toronto FC and Manchester United as his favorite professional teams and Wayne Rooney as his favorite sports figure … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because of the "great campus, great team environment, good facilities, great education, and it is at a high level."
 
 
Name: Aamir Ketbache
Class: Sophomore
Hometown/High School: Frankfurt am Main, Germany/Albert Einstein Gymnasium
Position: Defense
Height: 6-2
Major: Business

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played one season of soccer at the University of Montevallo.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Albert Einstein Gymnasium.

PERSONAL: Names Prison Break as his favorite TV show … Says his favorite professional team is Borussia Dortmund and his favorite sports figure is Sergio Ramos … Can speak three languages and is both German and Moroccan … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because of "the soccer program and the good academic level."
 
 
Name: Thomas Forensich
Class: Freshman
Hometown/High School: Mequon, Wis./Homestead
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-1
Major: Business

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer and hockey while in high school … During his senior year he captained his club team, made the MLS Cup Playoffs, and played in the National Academy Championships All-Star Game.

PERSONAL: Son of Michael and Jennifer … Has one sibling (Ben) … Lists golfing, cards, music, and hanging out with friends as some of his hobbies and interests … Names Prison Break, Entourage, and Dexter as his favorite TV shows … Says his favorite professional teams are the San Francisco 49ers, Manchester United, the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, and San Jose Sharks … Names Lebron James and Bob Does Sports as his favorite sports figures and influences … Says his greatest sports moment was making the MLS Next Playoffs … Chose to attend UMass Lowell "because of the coaching staff and their focus on developing me as a player and a person."
 
 
Name: Tanay Medam
Class: Freshman
Hometown/High School: San Jose, Calif./ASU Prep
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-1
Major: Business Management

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at ASU Prep … Won USL Academy and MLS Next Flex his senior year … Was invited to and played in the Alianza All-Star Game his junior season … Recommended to the USA National Team and was called up to the San Jose Earthquakes as a sophomore … Named his high school's starting varsity goalie his freshman year.

PERSONAL: Son of Murali and Sumana … Has one sibling (Arush) … Names video games, hiking, trying new food, and hanging out with friends and family as some of his favorite hobbies … Says his favorite TV show is Love Island … Names FC Barcelona as his favorite professional team and Messi as his favorite sports figure … His greatest sports moment was making a last-minute save to keep a clean sheet and win with USL Academy in front of a thousand-person crowd … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because "of the way the men's soccer team plays and how it stands out."
 
 
Name: Alvaro Medrano
Class: Freshman
Hometown/High School: Guatemala City, Guatemala/The Woodstock Academy
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-1
Major: Industrial Engineering

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at The Woodstock Academy … Named Team Captain, a High School All-American, CT Prep All-State Team, and was a league champion his senior year … Won the league championship as a junior … Named the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior.

PERSONAL: Son of Alvaro and Raquel … Has one sibling (Sofia) … Likes to play golf, read, and travel in his free time … Names Breaking Bad as his favorite TV show … Says his favorite professional team is FC Barcelona and favorite sports figure is Messi … Names his greatest sports moment as playing a game for the Guatemala U-20 National Team … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because "I liked the coaches and their competitive mentality."
 
 
Name: Ben Inthisone
Class: Freshman
Hometown/High School: Sun Prairie, Wis./Adlai E. Stevenson
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Major: Computer Science

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Adlai E. Stevenson High School … Was tabbed "Best of Match" at 2024 MLS Next Fest … Named to the All-Section Team his junior year … Jim Wolter Titan Invitational Champion and All-Tournament Team as a junior and sophomore … Regional Champions as a junior and Super Sectional, Sectional, Regional, and Conference Champions his sophomore season.

PERSONAL: Son of Kayphet and Jessica … Has one sibling (Isabelle) … Likes to play guitar, swim, ride his bike, and spend time outdoors in his free time … names Squid Games and Stranger Things as his favorite TV shows … Says his favorite professional teams are the Chicago Fire, Milwaukee Brewers, and Green Bay Packers … Names Dennis Rodman and Cristiano Ronaldo as his favorite sports figures … Says his greatest sports moment was playing in the MLS Next "Best of" match in 2024 … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because "The campus is really beautiful and welcoming. The coaching staff is super nice but also down to business, which is exactly what I was looking for. It felt like the perfect place to grow as a player and a student."
 
 
Name: Juan-Pablo Correa
Class: Freshman
Hometown/High School: Wakefield, Mass./Center of Excellence
Position: Forward
Height: 5-6
Major: Criminal Justice

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended the Center of Excellence.

PERSONAL: Son of Juan and Carol … Has one sibling (Julian) … Likes to spend time with family and friends … Names Forensic Files as his favorite TV show … Says his favorite professional team is Atletico Nacional and Cristiano Ronaldo is his favorite sports figure … His greatest sports moment was scoring a last-minute winner against Toronto FC to send his team to playoff qualification … Chose UMass Lowell because "it is close to home and my family is able to watch me play."
 
 
Name: George Nouaime
Class: Freshman
Hometown/High School: Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth
Position: Midfield
Height: 6-0
Major: Mechanical Engineering

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Falmouth High School … Won the NAC Championship as a junior.

PERSONAL: Son of Hicham and Georgina … Has two siblings (Yara and Vera) … List some of his hobbies and interests as going to church, golfing, going to the beach, playing tennis and playing basketball … Says his favorite TV show is Big Time Rush … Names Barcelona, the Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots as his favorite professional teams … Lists Messi, Dojokovic and Anthony Edwards as his favorite sports figures … Says his greatest sports moment was winning the NAC Championship U17 year … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because it's "close to home and has a good soccer team and engineering program."
 
 
Name: Maxim Makar
Class: Freshman
Hometown/High School: Nashua, N.H./Nashua High School South
Position: Defense
Height: 6-2
Major: Electrical Engineering

HIGH SCHOOL: Went to Nashua High School South … Made it to the MLS Next Playoffs Round of 32 as a senior and Round of 64 as a sophomore … Won the 2024 National Academy Championship in his junior year.

PERSONAL: Son of Iouri and Kate … Has one sibling (Yuri) … Says golfing and working out are a few of his hobbies … Names Suits as his favorite TV show … Lists Brighton Hove and Albion as his favorite professional teams and Lewis Dunk as his favorite sports figure … Says his greatest sports moment was winning the National Academy Championship his U17 year … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because it's a "great and historic program with top end facilities."
 
 
Name: Li Feng
Class: Freshman
Hometown/High School: Suwon, South Korea/Northwood School
Position: Defense
Height: 5-7
Major: Economics

HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Northwood School.

PERSONAL: Son of Heng Jun.