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NCAA Aug 10, 2021

Six freshmen join Marquette men’s soccer program ahead of 2021 season

Head coach Louis Bennett and the Marquette University men’s soccer program have announced six signees for the 2021 recruiting class. The group is made up of a midfielder, four defenders and a goalkeeper.

“The staff did a great job bringing in a group of talented student-athletes that have all the tools to fill holes, create quality competition at every position and challenge for playing time,” Bennett said. “We checked the boxes with replacing defensive players that graduated, strengthened our midfield possession capabilities and gave depth to the goalkeeper position. COVID created a strange recruiting situation but I believe we’ve made great additions to the squad and we’re looking forward to the 2021 fall season.”

Marquette (8-3-2) finished the season with a No. 14/13 ranking after winning its second NCAA tournament game in program history and advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013. The Golden Eagles return nine starters from that team, including five All-BIG EAST players and consensus All-American Lukas Sunesson.

Freshmen:

Edrey Caceres

Midfielder
TX

Prior to Marquette: Played for the Houston Dynamo Academy teams from 2013-19 while attending MacArthur High School for the past four years … The 2019 Houston Dynamo Academy Player of the Year, Caceres was called up to the U23 El Salvador National team at the end of 2019.

Why He Chose MU: “I chose Marquette because I knew that MU was an excellent path to success with a great education and soccer program.”

Patrick Crantz

Goalkeeper
MA

Prior to Marquette: Lettered three times in soccer at Hopkinton High School under head coach Garrett Sawyer … Was named team captain as a senior … Named Tri-Valley League All-Star Honorable Mention after both his junior and senior years of high school.

Why He Chose MU: “I chose Marquette because of the amazing coaching staff, positive team culture and the fact that it’s a great school.”

Josh Hewitt

Defender
INT

Prior to Marquette: Played club soccer for Reading FC from 2013-21 … Attended Furze Platt Senior High School … Was a two-time captain of Reading FC U18 in 2019 and 2020 … He played in several international tournaments against the best competition in the world, including Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, PSV and Chelsea … Appeared regularly in the U18 Premier League and the Premier League Division 2.

Why He Chose MU: “I chose to attend Marquette because it looks to be a great school with great people who seem committed and dedicated to developing me, whether that be on the soccer pitch or in the classroom.”

Donovan Jones

Defender Midfielder
WI

Prior to Marquette: Lettered four times in soccer at University School of Milwaukee under head coach Jock Mutschler … Was named team captain in both his junior and senior years … Led his team to a 2018 state championship in addition to conference titles in all four years of high school … He was named conference player of the year in 2019 and 2020 in addition to earning Team MVP honors from 2018-20 … Played club soccer for Bavarian Soccer Club for coach Tom Zaiss … Helped the team to both state and regional championships in 2019.

Why He Chose MU: “I chose to attend Marquette University because of the environment, business school, coaching staff and the Jesuit affiliation.”

Jonas Moen

Defender
INT

Prior to Marquette: Played club soccer for Lillestroem SK Academy from 2015-2020 … Was named team captain for Lillestroem SK U19 in 2019 and led the team to a regional championship in eastern Norway … Earned Player of the Year honors with Lillestroem SK U19 Elite in 2018.

Why He Chose MU: “I chose to attend Marquette because of the opportunity for a great education, the coaching staff, and a good team competing in a good conference.”

Ramzi Ouro-Akondo

Defender
INT

Prior to Marquette: Originally from Lome, Togo, Ouro-Akondo lives in Minneapolis and played his high school soccer at Minneapolis Southwest for head coach James Plaisance … A two-time team captain, Ouro-Akondo was named the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year in Minnesota as a senior … Named one of five Mr. Soccer Finalists in the state, he was also his high school’s Male Athlete of the Year as a senior … A three-time first team all-state selection, Ouro-Akondo also made second team all-state as a freshman … He earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in both his junior and senior seasons … He played club soccer for Keliix Intra, where the team won the President’s Cup for the state of Minnesota, advancing to both the regional and national tournament, where they finished as national runner-up.

Why He Chose MU: “I chose to attend Marquette because I’ve heard about how great the school is and how awesome the culture around the school is. The level of education the school provides helped close the deal for me.”

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