Peoria, Ill. -- The Bradley University Soccer program welcomes 23 new players to the Hilltop for the upcoming season. 

D Ethan Beauman-Anash – The 6-foot-1 freshman defender from Bowie, Maryland, attended Bowie High School. In 2022, he earned First Team All-State and Prince Georges County MD Player of the Year. With the Bulldogs, his team became a 2022 MD 4A MPSSAA Soccer State Champion. 

"A player isn't born but is developed. They are not defined by their wins or losses but through their resiliency when facing adversity," said Bowie Head Coach Frantz Deetjen.  "This is why Ethan transformed into the player he is today and why he will be one of the best in the future."

D Mo Bouchafrati – Comes in as a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Bonn, Germany. He previously played for Indian Hills Community College under Head Coach Kevin Nuss. The defender attended Tannenbusch Gymnasium in Germany and played his youth with SSV Bornheim 1924.

"I expect big things from Mo at the D1 level," said Coach Nuss. "In addition to being talented on and off the ball with knack for getting a goal when it's needed, he has a great work ethic and desire to become the best version of himself."

GK Dante Carraro – Was a four-year starter at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in London, Ontario. In his senior season, he only conceded five goals through 12 games. At St. Thomas, his team finished as City and Regional finalists. In his club soccer career, his younger years were at Milton Magic Youth SC before making his way to London TFC and then to Vaughan Azzurri.

"I consider myself extremely lucky to have coached Dante," exclaimed St. Thomas goalkeeper Coach Rob Stillo. "As a player, Dante has showcased his elite shot stopping ability, and over the years has developed a high soccer IQ to read dangerous situations and cut them out before they happen. He is a leader, but most importantly, a winner. I believe all of these traits are the reason Dante will be successful at the D1 level and beyond!"



F Mitch Coughlon – Scored 135 goals in his four years at Washington Community High School in Washington, Illinois. Earned First Team All-Midwest twice, First Team All-State twice and First Team All-Conference four times. One of four players in Illinois to be selected to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America team in 2022-23. The 6-foot-2 freshman helped Washington become regional champions under Head Coach Chad Clift, a former Bradley Brave and the first soccer player inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame. 

"Mitch's accomplishments at WCHS speak volumes as to the impact he had on the game," Coach Clift said. "He was the most feared player every time he stepped on the field. Strong on the ball with quickness that was rarely matched, always drawing double and triple teams, still managed to score frequently and often.  Mitch has succeeded at every level, and D1 will hopefully push him to reach his full potential. Mitch is a winner and someone our younger kids looked up to."

D Charlie Dickerson – The 6-foot England native is a Junior transfer from Jefferson College where he was a captain for two years. He recorded First Team All-Conference honors, First Team All-American and the Individual Hall of Fame Missouri Sports Award. 

"I choose Bradley on behalf of the fantastic facilities that they can accommodate me both athletically and academically, knowing how the university produces top student athletes made it an essential next step for me after Jefferson College and what I achieved there," said Dickerson. 

F Yohance Douglas – The 5-foot-11 transfer from Marist College comes in as a sophomore. Before Marist, he attended Ossining High School in Ossining, New York. He made two appearances for the Guyana U-20 National Team and was a Section 1 Class AA All-League and All-Section in 2021 at Ossining. 

Douglas was invited into a full national camp with the Guyana Men's National Team during June of 2023 prior to the team's qualification matches for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

MF Caden Frank – The midfielder from Bloomington, Illinois, stands at 5-foot-10 and attended Normal Community West High School. He led his team with 15 goals and 10 assists during his senior year. He earned the golden boot three times at Normal Community West. Frank played club soccer under Mike Matkovich at FC Central Illinois before moving to Eclipse SC in the ECNL.

"Caden has a high ceiling and he's going places both on and off the field," exclaimed Coach Matkovich. "He has the mentality of a professional player with his work ethic and his willingness to compete day in and day out. He's also a great tactical player and has a very high IQ for the game. I have produced many professional players over my career and I would put Caden right there with those players as far as his ability to compete, his mentality and his work ethic."



F Ian Ferguson – The Lake Zurich, Illinois, native was a member of the Lake Zurich High School team. The 6-foot-2 forward was the IHSA All-State pick in 2022 and 2023 and North Suburban offensive player of the year in 2023.  Ferguson played youth soccer for FC United and Palatine Celtic.

"I love coaching Ian because although he's very often the best player on the field, he never acts like it," said Director of Palatine Celtic Soccer Club, Andy McDermott. "It's as if he's a throwback to when the tough guys didn't have to say they're tough and the best players just let their games talk. He's the kind of kid I'd build an entire organization around."

GK Alex Grow – Standing at 6-foot-2, he has appeared in six games between the 2020 and 2022 seasons at Loyola University Chicago. In 2019 at Marquette High School in Brookfield, Wisconsin, he made the Great Lakes All-Region team and the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Best XI. 

"I chose Bradley because it is the perfect academic and athletic fit for me," said Grow. "Coach Derose has done an incredible job building the program during his time as head coach. The soccer facilities and coaching staff are some of the best in college soccer, and I look forward to developing my game under them."

F Nathaniel Isom – The freshman forward attended Archbishop Alter High School and is from Dayton, Ohio. He collected All-League First Team and All-Miami First Team honors. Led his league in goals and points in 2021 and won the state cup twice. During the 2022-23 season, Isom joined the youth academy for MLS side FC Cincinnati's. The U-19 team made the playoffs for the MLS NEXT Cup Championship.

"Nate is an excellent player who has served us well over the past year at FCC," said FC Cincinnati U19 Coach Eric Lichaj (former US National Team and EPL player). "First player in, last player out mentality which has been massive in his development as a player. His special attributes on the field paired with his mentality will see him be very successful in his time in college."

F Djibognihou "DJ" Koulai – The 5-foot-10 forward from Lewisville, Texas, earned district MVP honors and made the Texas All-State Second Team at Lewisville High School. DJ was originally born in Côte d'Ivoire. 

"He is such an accomplished player who has incredible finishing ability," said Lewisville Coach Brandon McCallum. "His technical quality on the ball is unmatched, combined with his power and pace he has all the requisite skills to be an asset to any team at any level." 

MF Emilio Madrigal – The sophomore transfer from Heartland Community College appeared in all 17 games for the Hawks and started in 16 of them under Coach Alex Trent. At J.W Nixon High School in Laredo, Texas, he was named midfielder of the year as a junior. 

"Emilio is a talented player with a natural understanding of the game," said Coach Trent. "He can always be counted on in the highs and lows and his reliability will help him make an impact at the D1 level."



D Christopher Marchant – At 6-foot-2, the freshman defenseman attended Mönchsee Gymnasium in Germany. He previously played for FV Löchgau in Löchgau, Germany. 

"I am a US/German citizen and have lived my whole life in Germany playing the European soccer style," said Marchant. "I want to expand my horizons by living and studying in the US while also continuing playing soccer at a high level. Bradley University is the best place for me to do that. Not only is it a great school, but it also has a very competitive soccer program."

F Kevin Mejias – The 5-foot-7 forward from Fermo, Italy, previously attended Indian Hills Community College. He had 12 goals and two assists while being named an honorable mention for the All-Region Team.  Mejias spent ended his youth career in Italy playing for Fermana Football Club.
 
"Kevin is a coach's dream," exclaimed Indian Hills CC Coach Kevin Nuss. "Not only is he an extremely talented player who has the ability to be special in a number of different positions, but he is a top class person and great teammate." 



MF Cohen Musschoot – The midfielder from Marian Central Catholic High School comes to Bradley as a freshman. He was the recipient of the Marian Central Catholic Coaches Award in 2020-21 and helped the Hurricanes to win the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Outside of high school, Musschoot is another in a long line of Bradley Braves soccer players who played for Chicago Sockers FC and David Richardson (Technical and Development Academy Director for Sockers FC). The 2023 MLS NEXT season was another successful one for Sockers FC, and Musschoot's team qualified for the MLS Next Cup round of 16. 

"Cohen's ability and versatility to play in the midfield and defensive line will be a strength that the Bradley Soccer program will be able to take advantage of when needed," said Coach David Richardson. "This along with his competitive disposition, attitude, and work rate that he displays every day in practice is a big reason why he will continue to be successful, and help to continue to raise the level of play for the Bradley Braves soccer program." 



D Franc Nmengah – The 5-foot-7 defender attended Crandall High School in Heartland, Texas. He earned First Team All-District honors at Crandall. He also played for FC Dallas in the ECNL under coach Casey Cantor. 

"Franc is an outstanding teammate that has a constant desire to improve his game," exclaimed Coach Cantor. "As an attacking player, he has grown to be a starter by proving to the staff he is an asset to the team by showcasing his speed, attacking presence and goal scoring ability. His commitment to his team and personal development will serve as great skill sets as he transitions to the college game."

MF Claudel Ngongang – The 5-foot-10 midfielder comes in as a freshman from Iowa Western Community College. In 2021, his team earned a NJCAA National Championship. He collected ICCAC Region XI All-Tournament honors twice. 

"Claudel is an outstanding young man who has first class character," exclaimed Iowa Western Head Coach Mike Brown. "On the field he is an ultimate competitor and the epitome of a Reiver Soccer Player. His combination of athleticism, toughness and technical ability will allow him to be a very effective player at the Division 1 level!"

D Ivan Reyes – Attended Addison Trail High School in Addison, Illinois. Earned MVP honors after he was the top goal scorer during his freshman year. He played for FC United in the MLS NEXT league under coach Oscar Rivero. 

"Coaching Ivan has been a great experience," exclaimed Coach Rivero. "His dedication has always been stellar even when the team had some rough patches, he managed to always get back up, and lift his teammates with him. His 1vs1 moments and his ability to create chances from a variety of situations makes him a true nightmare to play against. I am sure all these qualities will make Ivan a great student-athlete but the one quality that will set him apart is that he is a relentless competitor."

MF Caleb Ribeiro – The senior transfer from Bard College was voted All-Liberty League Second Team two years in a row. The senior stands at 5-foot-11 and led Bard in shots and shots on goal in 2022. 

"Bradley University is exactly what I was looking for in the next step of my soccer career," said Ribeiro. "I wanted to play somewhere that the team culture matched my passion for the game under a coaching staff that is really ambitious about continuing to take the team to new heights, but most importantly, cares about their players. I think I've found exactly that here. I am also extremely excited to continue to grow academically in Bradleys highly renowned technological programs."

D Elias Benitez Saiz – The senior transfer from Heartland Community College is originally from Asunción, Paraguay. At Heartland, he earned NJCAA Second Team All-American honors. His team made the NJCAA Final Four Tournament. 

"Elias is a person of high character," said Heartland Head Coach Alex Trent. "He understands the preparation and consistency needed to be successful on and off the field at the D1 level."

F Andrew Sanchez – The forward from Chicago, Illinois, played in the FC Chicago United Academy under Coach Oscar Rivero. The incoming freshman starred at Lincoln Park High School early in his high school career while playing club soccer for Chicago Fire City and Inferno. Sanchez joins club teammate Ivan Reyes as the second FC United player to attend Bradley University.

"Coaching Andrew Sanchez has proven to be a true delight," said Coach Rivero. "His professionalism, dedication and love for the game make him a sponge for learning and information. His dedication and heart has earned him being a key piece of the team and proved everyone he deserved to be on that pitch."

MF Joao Saraiva – Previously played for Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri. The Setubal, Portugal, native had First Team All-Conference honors between 2020-22 and First Team All-Region in 2022. His team made it to the NJCAA National Tournament under Head Coach Leo Driscol. 

"Joao has been a fantastic player for Jeffco over the years, his spark and creativity are a deadly combination for the defenders," said Coach Driscol. "He has the ability to be very dangerous anywhere on the field, but also sacrifices for the team. I have no doubt joao is going to be successful at the D1 level" 

GK Austin Waite – Stands at 6-foot-1 as a freshman goalkeeper from Naperville Central High School. Became a state champion for his high school and was a 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-American. Recorded a goals against average of 0.76 as a four-year starter. He also played for Galaxy FC outside of High School.

"Austin has the technical and leadership skills to be a successful goalie at the Division 1 level," said Naperville Coach Troy Adams. "Additionally, he is tireless in improving his game, and the best is yet to come from Austin. He is a great addition to the Bradley program and school as a player and as a person."