NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion Head Men's Soccer Coach Alan Dawson announced on Friday a 14-man recruiting class for the 2023 season. This class has a mix of graduate transfers, freshmen and international standouts as the Monarchs approach year two in the Sun Belt Conference.
"We feel like we have addressed a lot of positions of need with this recruiting class," said Dawson. "We have added competition for playing time all over the field as this will be one of our deepest squads in recent years. We have added size, speed, playmaking ability, and maturity to a sound foundation of returners. We are very excited to piece the squad together and get back on the pitch to compete."
The Monarchs will hit the home pitch for an exhibition match against Richard Bland College on August 15 at 11 a.m. The regular season opener will also be at home on August 24 against George Washington at 7 p.m.
2023 Recruiting Class
William Arnesen
Position: Forward
Hometown: Hillerod, Denmark
Previous Team: Vanlose IF
Year: Freshman
Coaches on Arnesen:
"William joins the Monarchs from Denmark where he has been a prolific goal scorer at both the junior and senior levels. He is a dynamic forward who is extremely quick and someone who can cause problems both underneath and in behind teams. We fully expect him to bring that into college soccer right away and have a big impact."
Valdimar Daði Sævarsson
Position: Forward
Hometown: Reykjavik, Iceland
Previous Team: Thor FC
Year: Freshman
Coaches on Sævarsson:
"Valdimar joins us from Iceland and is a close friend and former teammate of current Monarch Samuel Mar Kristinsson. He came highly recommended and his experience at the highest levels in Iceland, along with his youth national team appearances are invaluable. He can play anywhere on across the front line and his positional versatility will be vital for us.
David Strmsek
Position: Defender
Hometown: Strasshof, Austria
Previous Team: Neusiedl
Year: Freshman
Coaches on Strmsek:
"David joins us from Austria and is a big, strong and athletic defender who is extremely comfortable on the ball. He has experience at the highest levels in Austria and someone we expect to transition to college soccer very well. We are excited to have him with us."
Logan Bellina
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Previous Team: Robert Morris University
Year: Sophomore
Coaches on Bellina:
"Logan joins us as a transfer from Robert Morris. He is a modern goalkeeper who is athletic, a good shot stopper and very good with the ball at his feet. He adds experience to our goalkeeping core, and we expect him to provide vital competition."
Nicholas Alves
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Hometown: Williamsburg, Virginia
Previous Team: Richmond United
Year: Freshman
Coaches on Alves:
"Nick joins us from Richmond United and is a modern-day wide player who is quick, direct and someone that can stretch a team in behind. He is a teammate of another new Monarch Ryan Lachine and provides fantastic depth to our attacking group."
Ryan Lachine
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Williamsburg, Virginia
Previous Team: Richmond United
Year: Freshman
Coaches on Lachine:
"Ryan also joins us from Richmond United. Ryan joined the team during the spring semester and his development already has been fantastic. He is a strong, powerful and athletic central midfielder who covers a tremendous amount of ground which is vital in the college game."
Alex Render
Position: Defender
Hometown: Hull, England
Previous Team: Limestone University
Year: Junior
Coaches on Render:
"Alex joins us as a transfer from Limestone. He is an old school defender who is a fantastic leader and came highly recommended for his play on the field but also his leadership traits off it. Alex also joined us this spring and has immediately established himself and someone we expect to have a big impact on the program."
Teagan Dunne
Position: Defender
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Previous Team: Bellarmine University
Year: Sophomore
Coaches on Dunne:
"Teagan joins us as a transfer from Bellarmine. Teagan is an athletic and energetic full back who has a great engine and is extremely fit. He has the ability to go up and down the pitch for 90 minutes and provides us great depth at the Left Back position. He also joined us in the spring semester and has made an impact right away."
Jeremiah Paulin
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Centreville, Virginia
Previous Team: DC United
Year: Freshman
Coaches on Paulin:
"Jeremiah joins us from DC United and is another great addition to our goalkeeping unit. He is a very intelligent goalkeeper who is efficient in every part of his game and possesses the tools we look for in a goalkeeper. We are excited to see his development and look forward to him joining our GK Union."
Peter Beil
Position: Forward
Hometown: Waldorf, Maryland
Previous Team: Alexandria SC
Year: Freshman
Coaches on Beil:
"Peter joins us from Alexandria SC. He is a dynamic player who is extremely quick and has positional versatility having played as both a full back, winger and center forward. Peter has been coached by former Monarch CJ Taylor, he comes highly recommended and provides important depth to a number of positions across the pitch for us."
Key White
Position: Forward
Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia
Previous Team: University of North Carolina
Year: Graduate Student
Coaches on White:
"Key joins us as a graduate transfer from UNC and is a Norfolk native who we are delighted to have him returning home to the 757! He is a dynamic forward who has electric pace and has scored goals at the DI level. His experience at the top level of college soccer will provide vital experience for our young team and we expect him to have a big impact right away."
Nate Lam
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia
Previous Team: VMI
Year: Graduate Student
Coaches on Lam:
"Nate joins us as a graduate transfer from VMI and is another Virginia native who we are delighted to have joining the team. He is an experienced DI player who was a three-year captain at VMI and played over 60 collegiate games. His leadership and experience will be invaluable for our team and we expect him to compete right away."
Ulysses Vega
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Previous Team: Sonoma State University
Year: Graduate Student
Coaches on Vega:
"Ulysses joins us as a graduate transfer from Sonoma State. He is a tall, dynamic and athletic midfielder who provides a different aspect to our midfield core. Ulysses has had a fantastic career at the DII level and is another player who has over 50 collegiate games under his belt."
Pierce Gallaway
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Carmel, California
Previous Team: Willamette University
Year: Graduate Student
Coaches on Gallaway:
"Pierce joins us as a graduate transfer from Willamette University. He is a fantastic technician and someone who is extremely comfortable on the ball. He is another experienced leader who had a fantastic career at the DIII level where was named First Team United Soccer Coaches All-American last year. Pierce also joined us in the spring, and we expect him to have a big impact this fall."
Men's Soccer Unveils 2023 Recruiting Class
