Ivy League tournament champion Princeton announces 2025 recruiting class

PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton men’s soccer team will welcome seven talented newcomers in the class of 2029 as the team begins the 2025 season.

“We are very excited about what the class of 2029 will bring to our program both on and off the field. The group has talent and experience at a very high level, but also the character and leadership to help us get through the challenging schedule we play every year,” said Head Coach Jim Barlow. “Coaches Totten and Maira did a great job identifying this group and showing them all that Princeton has to offer.  We think they will thrive in our environment and will be welcomed by our returning players on day one.”

“After a strong finish to the 2024 season and a very productive spring, our team leaders have spoken of high expectations for the coming fall,” said Associate Head Coach Steve Totten. “We believe the returning players will help this talented incoming group navigate and adapt to the unique challenges of college soccer and Princeton University. We are confident this group is ready to make a big impact.”

Read on to meet the Princeton men’s soccer class of 2029.

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Tyler Austin

Princeton soccer welcomes defender Tyler Austin from Cooper City, Fla. Austin comes to Princeton after five years with the Inter Miami CF Academy, where he played an influential role in the team’s success.

In 2022, Austin captained the U15 Inter Miami team that won the MLS Next Cup.

Also that year, Austin gained valuable experience as he participated in a US Youth National Team Camp. In addition to his time with the academy, Austin has also trained with Inter Miami II in MLS Next Pro, as well as the Inter Miami CF First Team.

Giacomo Gabrielli

Giacomo Gabrielli, a midfielder/forward from Santa Barbara, Calif., joins the Tigers as a formidable force in the attacking end.

With the Santa Barbara SC U17 squad in MLS Next, Gabrielli led the team in assists for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. This past season, Gabrielli led in both assists and goals scored.

Off the pitch, Gabrielli is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. He also works with youth as a junior assistant coach at Santa Barbara SC and at a preschool as part of his career studies curriculum.

Ryker Joutz

Midfielder Ryker Joutz comes to Princeton from San Clemente, Calif.

An MLS Next Cup Champion in 2024, Joutz is a captain of Strikers FC and has led the team to the top of the table again for the third-consecutive year.

Off the field, Joutz is the president of the Lion’s Heart community service group in San Clemente.

Benjamin Manfroy

Princeton soccer gains a dynamic midfielder in Benjamin Manfroy, who comes to Princeton from Cincinnati, Oh.

Manfroy has been with the FC Cincinnati Academy for five years, serving as a captain for all five. His leadership helped the team to runs in the GA Cup and the MLS Next playoffs in 2024.

Manfroy has also trained with and been rostered with FCC II in the MLS Next Pro division, and he has been invited to a U.S. Youth National Team regional camp. Individually, Manfroy has been ranked as high as 54th nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.

Off the pitch, Manfroy was a founder of the FC Cincinnati Leadership Council. He also earned the distinction of Ohio Governor’s Scholar, and he volunteers at homeless shelters and grade schools in his local community.

Jackson Martin

Jackson Martin, a forward from Sacramento, Calif., comes to Princeton after a successful career in the Sacramento Republic FC academy.

A captain of the U19 squad, Martin currently leads MLS Next with 39 goals on the season. He has led Sacramento in goals for four consecutive years. In U17, Martin helped lead his team to first place in the Northwest division of MLS Next. He was named an MLS Next Flex U17 Player to Know by TopDrawerSoccer.

Off the field, Martin volunteers as a counselor for Camp Nefresh, a non-profit that gives refugee children a free week-long summer camp opportunity to connect with other kids and transition into their new lives in the Sacramento region. He also served as a volunteer for TOPSoccer Sacramento Youth Soccer League, which gives youths with special needs the opportunity to play soccer.

Frederik Sadjak

Defender Frederik Sadjak comes to Princeton all the way from Stuttgart, Germany, where he has played at the highest levels of German youth soccer throughout his career.

After playing for the SG Sonnenhof Großaspach academy, Sadjak did a year in Canada, where he was invited to the FTF Top 60 camp in Toronto. He left as the 11th ranked player in the nation in the class of 2024. Most recently, Sadjak played for IDA Sheffield in England, where he was coached by former Premier League coach Nicky Travis.

Off the field, Sadjak volunteers as a coach for a local soccer club, and he and his family help refugees from Eritrea as they integrate into Germany.

Tyler Vilet

Midfielder Tyler Vilet comes to Princeton from DeKalb, IL. Vilet is a two-time National Academy Championship winner with MLS Next team Sockers FC, where he also made three MLS Next quarterfinal appearances.

With Vilet’s leadership, the team also made their first ever GA Cup appearance, reaching the quarterfinals. Vilet was identified as a GA Cup group stage standout player at the tournament.

Outside of soccer, Vilet volunteers with the non-profit organization Feed My Starving Children, helping pack nutritious meals for children in need. Coming from an athletic family, Vilet’s father, Tom, played minor league baseball within the Phillies Organization. His brother, TJ, also plays soccer at DePauw University.

After a successful 2024 season that saw Princeton claim its first Ivy League Tournament win and make its 12th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance, the Tigers look to build on their momentum with these seven bright additions to the squad as they begin the 2025 season this fall.