Northern Illinois University men’s soccer head coach Ryan Swan announced the addition of eight student-athletes to the Huskie roster for the upcoming 2022 season. The group includes four transfers and four freshmen, representing five different states as well as Japan.
“I am really pleased with our 2022 class,” said Swan “We have added college experience and some outstanding freshman talent. I am really pleased with the outstanding recruiting from Coach (Tyler) Doll and Coach (Ronnie) Bouemboue. I am excited to get these guys on the field.”
Two of NIU’s newcomers for this season, Patrick Coleman (Antioch, Ill./Antioch Community/Notre Dame) and Nolan Cosgrove (Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway West/Tulsa) joined the Huskies this past winter and participated in the spring with NIU.
Coleman, who plays on the wing, joined the Huskies from Notre Dame where he appeared in 27 matches, including 17 starts. He with both Chicago Magic Academy and FC United PDL while also playing four years at Antioch Community High School. This summer he helped Bavarian United SC win the National Amateur Cup.
“Patrick is a very good one-v-one player with great service,” said Swan. “His experience at the collegiate level will help him compete on our team immediately.”
Cosgrove is a goalkeeper who played in three matches at Tulsa in 2021, making nine saves while not conceding a goal. He played club soccer with St. Louis Scott Gallagher as well as three years at Parkway West High School, where he was a two-time all-conference selection.
“Nolan has good size, athleticism and is outstanding with his distribution,” said Swan. “I expect that he will challenge Martin Sanchez and Jakub Rojek for the starting spot.”
Taisei Arima (Machida, Japan/ Fort Hays State) and Cesar Cuellar (Miami, Fla./Florida International) also join the Huskies with previous college experience. Arima is an attacking player who spent the last two seasons at Division II Fort Hays State, where he was a 2021 Uniter Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American. He also earned GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Year honors after scoring eight goals with eight assists, helping Fort Hays State reach the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals.
“Taisei can play in any of the attacking positions,” said Swan. “He is comfortable on the ball and very good in one-v-one situations. I expect that he will immediately challenge for a starting spot.”
Cuellar is an outside back who comes to DeKalb following one season at Florida International, where he appeared in two matches for the Panthers. Cuellar was part of the Inter Miami Academy and saw action in five matches with their USL League One reserve side, Fort Lauderdale CF.
“Cesar is very good on the ball with good range of passing,” said Swan. “He has the athleticism to get up and down the field and will fit in very well with our style of play and expectations from wide players.”
Freshmen Jakub Drazek (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Elk Grove) and Angel Rodriguez (Burlington, Ill./Burlington Central) are both in-state midfielders. Drazek comes to NIU from Chicago FC United in MLS Next while Rodriguez played club soccer with both the Chicago Fire Academy and Raiders FC, where he won the 2022 Illinois State Cup.
“Jakub has great composure on the ball and a good range of passing,” said Swan. “He impressed our coaching staff every time we saw him play and should transition well into the college game. Angel is a very technical player who can unlock defenses with his vision and passing. He has all the tools to be an outstanding player for us.”
Taylor Davis (Wichita Falls, Texas/Wichita Falls) is NIU’s latest recruit from the FC Dallas youth system, which produced five other current Huskies (Camilo Estrada, Luis Hernandez, Eddie Knight, Diego Maynez and Miguel Maynez Jr.). In addition to FC Dallas, Davis also played at Wichita Falls High School, where he was the three-time District 5-5A Offensive Most Valuable Player.
“Taylor has good speed and a knack for scoring goals,” said Swan. “He has the potential to be an outstanding player for us.”
Kevin Meza comes to NIU from the Barca Residency Academy in Casa Grande, Ariz., where he was a member of their U19 team in 2021-22. The Barca U19 team won the Southwest Division of MLS Next this past season.
“We believe Kevin is best suited in a defensive midfield role,” said Swan. “He has very good technical ability with great work ethic and the potential to be a leader on our team.”
NIU will be on the practice field for the first time this fall on Tuesday, Aug. 9 with the first exhibition contest slated for Monday, Aug. 15 at Marquette. The Huskies open the 2022 regular season on Thursday, Aug. 25 at San Francisco.
NIU Men’s Soccer Incoming Class of 2022
Taisei Arima, Sophomore, Forward, 5-9, 160, Machida, Japan, Seiryo HS, Fort Hays State
Patrick Coleman, Junior, Midfielder, 5-11, 155, Antioch, Ill., Antioch Community, Notre Dame
Nolan Cosgrove, Junior, Goalkeeper, 6-2, 176, Chesterfield, Mo., Parkway West, Tulsa
Cesar Cuellar, Sophomore, Defender, 5-10, 153, Miami, Fla., South Dade Senior, Florida International
Taylor Davis, Freshman, Forward, 5-11, 150, Wichita Falls, Texas, Wichita Falls HS
Jakub Drazek, Freshman, Midfielder, 5-9, 170, Des Plaines, Ill., Elk Grove HS
Kevin Meza, Freshman, Midfielder, 5-7, 135, Buena Park, Calif., ASU Prep
Angel Rodriguez, Freshman, Midfielder, 5-6, 140, Elgin, Ill., Ignite Christian Academy