MEN'S SOCCER INKS EIGHT NEWCOMERS FOR 2024 - IUPUI Athletics (2024)

Head coach Sid van Druenen welcomes eight freshmen as part of fall recruiting class

INDIANAPOLIS - The IU Indianapolis Athletics Department and head men's soccer coach Sid van Druenen announced the additions of eight individuals for the upcoming fall campaign. All eight will be true freshmen beginning this fall and join a group of previously announced incoming transfers as part of this year's recruiting class.

van Druenen will finalize the group of newcomers in the coming weeks ahead of the fall reporting date.

"We are very excited about this incoming class as not only are they good soccer players with the potential to help us right away, but they also are all very hard working, committed and great people," van Druenen said.

The Jaguars return five starters from last year's 7-7-5 squad in Jose Antonio Herrera, Brady Horn, Noah Kummrow, Jago Thompson-Roberts and Gijs Velings. Horn topped the team in minutes (1,593) last fall while Thompson-Roberts and Veilingsranked Nos. 6 and 7 on the squad in that category, respectively.

Below is a rundown of the eight newcomers, listed alphabetically.

Tyson Aschliman (Aurora, Ill. / Batavia)
6-foot // Forward
-Played for Sockers FC Chicago MLS Next from 2021-2024
-Made three appearances in the MLS Next Playoffs, including a 2023 NPL National Championship
-Was a 2024 ISAC State Scholar

van Druenen on Aschliman
"Tyson was impressive when we watched him at one of the recruiting events down in Florida this winter. He adds all around quality to our forward group and I would not be surprised if he steps on the field regularly this Fall."

Kyle Clayton (Fishers, Ind. / Fishers)
5-foot-11 // Midfielder/Forward
-Two-time First Team All-State, All-Conference and All-District performer at Fishers High School
-Nominated for Player of the Year honors
-Totaled 43 goals and 30 assists in his high school career (18 goals, 17 assists as a senior and 22 goals and 10 assists as a junior)

van Druenen on Clayton
"Kyle is a versatile player that can play in a lot of different positions with the competitive attitude needed to be successful here."

Kyle Denn (Medford, Ore. / South Medford)
5-foot-8 // Midfielder
-Earned Oregon 6A All-State honors
-Had a conference best 17 goals and six assists his senior year
-Played for the Portland Timbers Academy and attended TOVO Academy in Barcelona, Spain
-Class valedictorian

van Druenen on Denn
"Kyle is a technically gifted attacking midfielder who likes to dribble at defenders and take them on 1-v-1. I think he can be a real threat in our attack once he gets adjusted to the physicality of D1 soccer."

Bali Esquivel (Arlington Heights, Ill. / Rolling Meadows)
5-foot-10 // Midfielder
-Played for Sockers FC
-Helped Sockers to back-to-back National Academy Championships
-Participated in Puerto Rico U20 National Team camp

van Druenen on Esquivel
"Bali comes to us from one of the most respected MLS academies in the country and his is simply put, the total package for us. He has a high work rate, good personality and phenomenal technical ability."

Mano Karjian (Plymouth, Mich./ Canton)
5-foot-8 // Midfielder
-Played for the Michigan Wolves MLS Next Academy for eight seasons
-Played in the GA Cup for the Columbus Crew
-Served as Michigan Wolves team captain

van Druenen on Karjian
"Manuel is a midfielder with great ability, creativity and a nose for the goal. He was the first player committed in this class and we have high expectations from him from day one."

Christian Nielsen (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel)
6-foot-2 // Forward
-Was a First Team All-State and All-District honoree
-Named a USC Regional All-American
-Honor roll student and honors diploma recipient

van Druenen on Nielsen
"Chris is a strong and physical center forward who has been developing very well in the past 12 months and will be a true threat for us once he gets adjusted to the D1 environment."

Owen Parrish (Erlanger, Ky. / Dixie Heights)
6-foot-0 // Midfielder
-Played for FC Cincinnati beginning in 2019
-Previous played for Cincinnati United Premier, Lexington FC and Bluegrass FC

van Druenen on Parrish
"Owen comes to us from a soccer family and one of the best MLS academies in the country. His soccer IQ, movement and passing ability will be great additions to our midfielder group."

Alex Pursch (Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville)
6-foot-1 // Defender
-Earned first team All-State, All-District and All-Great Lakes Region honors in 2023
-Helped Noblesville to two IHSAA State titles
-Played club soccer for Indy Premier

van Druenen on Pursch
"Alex is a defender with pace and good ability on the ball who possesses the physical attributes to make an immediate impact on our back line."