Depth & Talent In 2018 Recruiting Class
MOORHEAD, Minn. (7/22/18)---In anticipation of the upcoming 2018 season head coach Ben Schneweis has released his incoming recruiting class.
"I am excited for this group of first-year players as they will have a chance to learn from a great group of juniors and seniors,"Schneweis said. "This is the second largest class in my time here, and it's full of quality young men who will add much needed depth and talent to our experienced roster."
The incoming class of student/athletes features 11 players from three different states. It is tilted toward the defensive side of the ball as seven of the 11 newcomers are listed as defenders. There are also a pair of midfielders and two forwards listed in the group.
One of the top recruits is forward Nate Weaver who is from Minot, N.D. but played his high school soccer at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault, Minn. Weaver was a part of Shattuck-St. Mary's USSDA team which qualified for the 2018 national championships.
The new recruiting class will join a group of eight starting juniors and seniors returning from the 2017 Cobber teams. Concordia's returning group features 14 sophomores, juniors and seniors.
"Some of these young players will compete to play right away, others will likely become important players later in their careers due to our talented and experienced returning roster, but they are all terrific additions to our program on and off the field," Schneweis added. "We needed a large class of good players and more importantly, good people, and I believe that's exactly what we've got with this group."
Concordia will take a preseason trip to a pair of European capital cities. The Cobbers will depart for Prague, Czech Republic on July 27 and then spend time in Prague and Budapest. Hungary from July 27-August 5.
The Cobbers will open the 2018 season when they travel to Storm Lake, Iowa to take on Buena Vista on Friday, Aug. 31.
Below is a complete list of the Concordia men's soccer 2018 recruiting class:
Tyson Aberle
Defender/Midfielder | Aberdeen, SD (Aberdeen Central High School)
High School: Four-time letter winner, Two-time All-Conference, 2018 First Team All-State, 2018 Team Captain, 2018 Defensive MVP, 2015 Rookie of the Year, Academic All-State, 2017 State Champion, 2016 & 2018 State Runner-Up
Club: Played for South Dakota United
Personal: Son of Spencer and Stacey…considering a major in Biology/Pre-Med
Tjadan "TJ" Anderson
Forward | Fargo, ND (Oak Grove High School)
High School: Five-time letter winner, 3 time All-State selection, 3-time All-State Tournament selection, 3-time All-Conference selection, 2018 Team Captain, 2018 Team MVP, participated in ND All-Star game
Club: Played for Tri-City Storm Soccer Club
Personal: Son of Brandan Anderson and Sammi Frank…plans to major in Business
Edgar Carrillo
Defender | Minneapolis, MN (Robbinsdale Cooper High School)
High School: "The Rock" Award Winner, Defensive Player of the Year, Team Captain
Club: Played for Los Cachorros and La Union
Personal: Son of Agustin and Martha…considering several majors, such as Business, Mathematics, or Pre-Chiropractic
Brendan Koplin
Midfielder | Frontenac, MN (Lincoln High School)
High School: Team Captain, All-Conference, School record in assists, Mr. Moxie Award
Club: Played for Red Wing Soccer Club & Euro FC
Personal: Son of Kristin Fuglestad and Cory Koplin…considering a major in Exercise Science
Dylan Michaud
Midfielder/Winger | Sartell, MN (Sartell High School)
High School: All-Conference, All-State, Team Captain, Three-time letter winner, All-Area Player of the Year Nominee
Club: Played Fusion Soccer Club
Personal: Son of John and Shelly…plans to major in Business
Nicholas Ness
Defender | St. Michael, MN (St. Michael-Albertville High School)
High School: Three-year Team Captain
Club: Played for STMA United & Monticello River Eagles
Personal: Son of Andrew and Brandie…plans to major in Nutrition & Dietetics
Nigaba Olivier
Defender | West Fargo, ND (West Fargo High School)
High School: All-Conference, Team Defensive MVP, Team Captain, 2016 State Champions
Club: Played for Tri-City Storm Soccer Club
Personal: Son of Bigirimana Patience and Barakamfitiye Asha…plans to major in Computer Science
Cody Sather
Defender | Fargo, ND (Fargo South High School)
High School: Three-time letter winner, Team Captain, Most Improved
Club: Played for Tri-City Storm Soccer Club
Personal: Son of Erik and Pam…plans to major in Clinical Laboratory Science with a minor in Spanish
Michael Schmidtman
Defender | Sioux Falls, SD (Lincoln High School)
High School: Three-time letter winner, Two-time All-Conference, 2017 Team Captain, 2017 First Team All-State, 2017 State Champions
Club: Played for Dakota Alliance Soccer Club
Personal: Son of Carl and Jackie…plans to major in Nursing
Jake Svenby
Winger/Defender | Fargo, ND (West Fargo High School)
High School: Two-time letter winner, 2017 Coaches Award, 2016 State Champions
Club: Played for Tri-City Storm Soccer Club
Personal: Son of Chad and JJ Svenby…plans to major in Psychology
Nate Weaver
Forward | Minot, ND (Shattuck-St. Mary's School)
High School: Played final three years of high school at Shattuck-St. Mary's as part of their USSDA team, which qualified for 2018 National Championships, lettered as a freshman at Minot High School
Club: Played for Minot Magic SC before moving to Shattuck-St. Mary's in 2015
Personal: Son of Chuck and Melissa…plans to major in Biology