Men’s Soccer Welcomes 16 for 2023 Campaign

8/1/2023 11:33:00 AM | Men's Soccer

WASHINGTON - GW men's soccer announced the addition of 16 student-athletes to the 2023 roster on Tuesday.

Seven international students and nine students from around the United States are joining Craig Jones' squad this fall, which includes six student-athletes from in and around the DMV.

"We are very excited for this incoming class as we feel they all have the character and traits we look for in our student-athletes to be successful in their time at GW," Jones said. "It's obviously a large group, but this was needed to get some real squad depth and competition for places to build on what we achieved last season."

Nacho Alastuey
Zaragoza, Spain
Midfield
Alastuey played four years at Florida Atlantic University, where he started 40 games and collected seven goals and six assists playing in the midfield. Alastuey is a three-time C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal recipient, and he has been named three times to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and once to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team (2021). Originally from Zaragoza, Spain, Alastuey is also a U19 Spanish National Champion.

Jones on Alastuey: "Nacho came to us after a great career at Florida Atlantic. Nacho will be an experienced head in a locker room filled with young guys this fall. He is a very gifted technician, and an extremely motivated, confident young man. We will need his leadership and his creativity this fall."

Alex Chung
Seoul, South Korea
Midfield/Forward
Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Chung began playing for FC Seoul Academy at U11. Chung attended Millfield School in England where he played in the ISFA, playing against the likes of Burnley Academy and Chelsea Academy. Chung also helped his teams to the ISFA National Cup quarterfinals and the ESFA National Cup semifinals.

Jones on Chung: "Alex has many tools that we look for in our program. He has a high soccer IQ, is motivated and competitive, can adapt to different formations and has experience across different positions. We think Alex can challenge for playing time right away and we're excited to see the true extent of his potential."

Dan Dobrin
Olney, MD
Defense
A native of Olney, Md., Dobrin played for Sherwood High School and for Bethesda Academy. Dorbin was named the Sherwood Men's Soccer Player of the Year and played for the Eastern Region Olympic Development Program (ODP) Team in 2019-20. Dobrin is a State Cup finalist, a Bethesda Premier Cup champion, Alexandria Showcase champion and OBGC Capital Cup champion.

Jones on Dobrin: "Dan is a rapid wide player that will compete athletically with the top of our group this fall. He is a tremendous student and another local player who has been prepared well in a competitive MLS Next environment. Dan will add depth and competition at various wide positions for us next year."

Ben Hissrich
Fort Collins, CO
Midfield/Forward
A native of Fort Collins, Co., with familial roots in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Hissrich joins the Buff and Blue after playing at Fossil Ridge High School and in MLS Next. Hissrich spent his first and second years of high school playing varsity for Fossil Ridge, later joining Real Colorado Academy and MLS Next during his junior and senior years. In May, Hissrich was named a Boys Club Standout by Top Drawer Soccer.

Jones on Hissrich: "We added Ben late in the process from Real Colorado. We had known his name but he made the effort to come play in front of us at our winter ID camp here in D.C. He has experience in numerous midfield positions, an eye for goal, and excellent distribution. We're excited to see how Ben develops in the fall."

Santiago Labarca
Santiago, Chile
Defense
Labarca comes to GW via Akron University and is originally from Santiago, Chile. In his youth, Labarca played for the Colo-Colo academy team in Chile, eventually winning the Chilean National Championship at the U16 level. Then in 2021, Labaraca helped Akron to an NCAA Championship berth.

Jones on Labarca: "Santi enrolled earlier this Spring after transferring from national powerhouse Akron. There, he learned what it takes to win and to be at the top of the conference and national conversations week in and week out. We are looking to Santi to provide us competition on our right side, and see him developing into a solid two-way player the more time he earns."

Joe Liebe
Stafford, VA
Defense
A native of the DMV, Liebe arrives at GW after playing at Colonial Forge High School and club soccer for both Stafford Soccer Club and the Olympic Development Program (ODP). At Colonial Forge, Liebe won the District Championship and was named First Team All-District, First Team All-Region and All-State Honorable Mention. Liebe was also chosen as the Colonial Forge Male Athlete of the Year. Liebe was captain of Stafford Soccer from 2016-23, and was selected to the ODP National Team in 2021 and 2022, where he was named captain both years.

Jones on Liebe: "Joe was our first of six local players we identified and pursued for the 2023 incoming class. Be it at the ODP level, club level, or during his tournament showcases, every time we watched Joe he was composed and decisive in his actions. He is a true physical defender who thrives in adversity. This spring he gained valuable experience touring England with the National US Youth Soccer ODP team playing against top professional academies. He has enrolled in GW's NROTC program and we're expecting that Joe will be pushing for minutes in our back line next year."

Thomas Macauley
Filey, England
Goalkeeper
Macauley joins the Revolutionaries via Filey, England, where he has played a high level of soccer for multiple professional academies in his youth. Macauley got his start at U9 playing for Tottenham Hotspur Academy, later moving to Hull City Academy at U12. Macauley had success in the youth ranks, playing U18 and U21 for Hull City and Hall Road Rangers and competing in multiple FA Youth Cup matches.

Jones on Macauley: "We identified Tom via our connections in England. Tom is a commanding, versatile Goalkeeper who has good feet, great organization, and top-level athleticism. Having played against some of the best clubs in England throughout his youth career, we're confident that Tom can challenge our returning goalkeepers and transition well into a highly competitive A-10."

JP Martin
Charlottesville, VA
Goalkeeper
Martin, a goalkeeper out of Charlottesville, Va., attended St. Anne's Belfield School and played club soccer for Skyline Elite Soccer Club ECNL. During Martin's senior season at Skyline Elite, he played in 30 matches, 20 of which were ECNL matches, and averaged three saves per game with 15 shutouts. Martin played in both the South Carolina and Florida ECNL Showcases and also owns the St. Anne's Belfield School record in the high jump.

Jones on Martin: "JP is a goalkeeper with great potential who comes to us from Skyline ECNL in Charlottesville. Working under experienced former collegiate coaches down there has prepared JP for this jump. He is a great student-athlete at a rigorous institution in Virginia, and we believe he can make a smooth transition into the college level in the classroom and on the field."

John Matlock
Arlington, VA
Defense
Another native of the DMV, Matlock will don the Buff and Blue this fall following his time playing at Washington-Liberty High School and for Alexandria Soccer Academy MLS Next. Matlock was named the Arlington Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2023 and was named to the First Team All-District. Matlock is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Jones on Matlock: "John is as versatile as they come. In his recruiting process, we watched him play as a center back, a true full back and a left-sided wing-back. John's speed and acceleration allow him to threaten spaces on the attacking side, and recover quickly on the defensive side. We're thrilled to have him, and know that his coaches at Alexandria MLS Next will prepare him well for his first season in college soccer."

Nico Medina
Placentia, CA
Midfield
From Placentia, Calif., Medina joins GW after playing for El Dorado High School and Legends FC ECNL. At Legends FC, Medina captained his team for the past seven years and was named to the Southwest All-Conference Team in both 2020-21 and 2021-22. At El Dorado High School, Medina won the Boys Varsity Soccer MVP from 2019-2023 and was named to the All-SCA First Team in 2022-23.

Jones on Medina: "We identified Nico early in the process and felt so comfortable with him during his recruitment. He was someone we kept coming back to after each event he attended, and even the ones he didn't attend. His technical ability in combination and in tight spaces is a profile we didn't have in our midfield. He'll add a little bit of tempo control there, and is capable of the unpredictable in the final third."

Mark Nakamura
Derwood, MD
Defense
Nakamura stays close to home as he joins the Revolutionaries via Derwood, Md., and St. John's College High School Prep. A First Team All-Conference player in the WCAC, Nakamura has participated in MLS Next at multiple levels including with the Baltimore Armour MLS Next Academy and Bethesda MLS Next Academy. Nakamura was a varsity captain at St. John's College High School Prep where he started every game.

Jones on Nakamura: "Mark is a local product who has played for a few years under GW alum Derek Biss. We have been able to have Mark at our ID camps, have seen him develop into a consistent outside back at the MLS Next level with Bethesda SC, and are excited to see him continue his development at GW. Mark will provide competition in our backline from day one."

Colin Prendergast
Falls Church, VA
Defense
Prendergast stays close to home as the Falls Church, Va., native comes to Foggy Bottom following his career playing at Gonzaga College High School and for Arlington ECNL. Prendergast is a two-time WCAC All-Conference First Team recipient, two-time DCSAA First Team honoree and Washington Post All-Metro First and Second Team recipient. Prendergast is also a State Champion playing for Arlington ECNL.

Jones on Prendergast: "Colin is an exciting prospect. Playing locally at Arlington Soccer ECNL, we recruited him primarily to add competition and depth at center back, but he is surprisingly lethal in front of goal as an attacker. Colin combines solid technical ability with athleticism and consistent decision-making. Be it as a forward or a defender, these tools will make him a valuable collegiate player down the line and we are very happy we were able to make him a GW Revolutionary."

Louis Saville
London, England
Defense/Midfield
Saville is the latest to join GW men's soccer via the London, England pipeline. Saville attended the Royal Russell School, where he won the ISFA National Cup in 2023. Saville's team won the Isthmian Youth U18 league, later making it to the first round of the FA Youth Cup in 2022. In 2022-23, Saville started for the ISFA U18 National Team.

Jones on Saville: "We needed to find a replacement for our departing wide players who had a big offensive output for us last fall. Louis has all the tools to be as influential in this young team next year. He is slippery in possession and fiercely competitive. His versatility and attacking tools will allow him to play across multiple positions, and he has an eye for goal. Having been at a number of professional academies in England, we're confident that Louis will hit the ground running come fall."

Yago Torres
Madrid, Spain
Defense/Midfield
Torres comes to Foggy Bottom via Madrid, where he attended SEK el Castillo International School and played club soccer for Rayo Majadahonda - one of the most competitive teams in Madrid. With Rayo Majadahonda, Torres competed against top La Liga Academy sides such as Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, and Getafe. In 2019 and 2020, Torres was ranked at the top of his class.

Jones on Torres: "Yago offers us some great options on the right-hand side. We feel he is a solid 1v1 defender but can also get forward to offer us some attacking options from deep. We are looking forward to seeing how quickly Yago adapts to the college game and what impact he could have on the program."

Will Turner
Nashville, TN
Midfield
Turner joins the Buff and Blue via Lipscomb University and is originally from Nashville. Turner played three seasons at Lipscomb, where he started double-digit games in every season and logged a career one goal and three assists. Turner was named to the A-SUN All-Freshman Team in the spring of 2021 and was one of six Bison to compete in all 19 of matches in 2022.

Jones on Turner: "Will has enrolled in our Masters of International Affairs program. He comes to us from Lipscomb University in Tennessee off the back of a fine season that ended in the NCAA Tournament. Will has always seen his future in Washington D.C., and his presence and experience in our midfield next season will be invaluable. His composure and defensive reading of the game will help our young guys learn the terrain of college soccer. We're excited to have him."

George Vincent
Croydon, England
Forward
Vincent comes to GW via Surrey, England, having played for the Royal Russell School and Sutton Common Rovers. Vincent has experience playing and captaining in the National Cup, which includes wins in 2019, 2020 and 2023. Vincent also served as captain for the England Independent Schools, scoring and playing against both Wales and Australia.

Jones on Vincent: "George is a natural goalscorer. He is a modern-day number 9 - good feet and hold-up play, comfortable in combination, mobile and active, presses well, and hits the targets consistently with his shots. With the right players around him, he will be a goal threat immediately in this team. We're excited to get him on campus and begin working with him."