What will the 2025 ‘Cats look like?
Northwestern men’s soccer is gearing up for its 2025 campaign, set to kick off its season against Eastern Illinois on Aug. 21 at the home pitch. With a strong core returning and a promising group of newcomers, the Wildcats are looking to compete in a stacked Big Ten. Inside NU will bring you more coverage this coming season with deeper insight into positions and key players, but here’s an early look at what to expect from the 2025 squad.
Roster Turnover
Losses: Akinjide Awujo (F), Brandon Clagette (D), Ibrahim Obeid (D), Collin McCamy (M), Reese Mayer (D), Paul Son (M), Thaddaeus Dewing (F), Danh Tran (M), Bryce LeBel (D), Michael Ramirez (F), Luke Shreiner (D)
Additions: Tre Barrett (F), Doug Hainer (M), Omar Jallow (F), Seth Mahlmeister (F), Alejandro Martínez Santamaría (F, Milwaukee/UW-Parkside), Yuval Nimrodi (M), Baraka Tarleton (M), Dalton Bulowski (D), Evrit Fisher (M), Andrew Johnson (D), Sam Nagano (M), Aaron O’Reilly (F), Dimas Van der Heide (D)
Frontline
After losing Awujo, Northwestern faces the challenge of replacing its top scorer of the 2024 season, who netted five goals last season, along with Dewing, who added four points (one goal, two assists). Despite these key departures, the Wildcats have reloaded with attacking depth, bringing in five new forwards who could immediately generate impacts.
Among them, Santamaría arrives as a marquee addition. The former Milwaukee standout earned First Team All-Horizon League honors last season after scoring nine goals and tallying four assists. His proven scoring ability gives the Wildcats a potential go-to finisher.
Barrett, a former William & Mary forward, adds firepower as well. Named one of Soccer Wire’s Top 100 Freshmen in 2024, Barrett brings pace and potential to the attacking rotation. Another experienced addition is Mahlmeister, who spent the summer with USL League Two’s Sarasota Paradise. After missing most of last season due to injury, Mahlmeister is now fully fit and eager to bring depth and maturity to the frontline.
Jallow, a versatile transfer from Drexel, is another name to watch. With so many new faces, Head Coach Russell Payne has plenty of offensive options. But it will also challenge him to figure out how to best rotate his attacking squad.
From the returners, Tyler Glassberg offers consistency and versatility despite playing as a midfielder. The winger put up two goals from the left flank in 17 matches last season, including two game-winning goals against Drake and Michigan. Known for his sharp crossing and shooting instincts, Glassberg could see more time higher up the pitch.
Italo Addimandi is another name worth mentioning, as he has already contributed two goals and two assists in just 477 minutes played. Given his efficiency, the rising junior is expected to showcase more off the bench.
Midfield
The midfield also underwent changes this offseason, most notably the departure of Collin McCamy, a Second Team All-Big Ten selection and key figure in the Wildcats’ games, and Paul Son, who came off the bench with two goals last season. In response, Northwestern brought in multiple transfers to bolster the middle third.
Tarleton (Evansville), Hainer (Coastal Carolina/Oakland), and Nimrodi (La Salle) arrive with experience and positional flexibility, giving Coach Payne a range of options in both defensive and central midfield roles.
Among the returners, Joe Suchecki is back for a graduate year, bringing leadership and composure. Last season, he made 11 starts and contributed one goal and two assists. Jayvin Van Deventer is another midfielder poised for a breakout campaign. After starting 10 of 17 matches and finishing second on the team with three assists, Van Deventer frequently served as a late-game spark. Entering his senior year, he’s expected to take on a bigger role with more minutes in the midfield rotation.
Defense
Leading the NU’s backline, Nigel Prince had anchored the team’s defense with reliability and leadership. As a Second-Team All‑Big Ten honoree in 2024, Prince started all 17 games and logged a team‑leading 1,510 minutes. He helped NU earn six clean sheets and added two crucial goals, a game-winning header against Marquette and a goal in the comeback win over Rutgers, showcasing his impact at both ends of the field.
Fritz Volmar burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2023, making 16 starts and earning a unanimous selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Though limited to eight starts in 2024 due to injury, he quietly contributed with an assist in the 4‑0 win at Trine and offers a steady presence at left fullback or center back.
Bryant Mayer brings offensive balance from the back, having tallied seven assists in 16 combined starts, which led the team and ranked among the top in the conference last season. His ability to deliver dangerous balls into the attacking third makes him a key part of NU’s build-out strategy.
It will be difficult to cover the loss of Clagette, who netted and delivered with five points collected last season (two goals, one assist). But Luke Shreiner could be a potential alternative, who impressed last year with two assists in limited opportunities as a rookie.
Goal
Northwestern’s backline will once again be anchored by junior Rafael Ponce De Leon, who returns after a standout 2024 season. The Pennington School (New Jersey) product started all 16 matches for the Wildcats, posting a 1.19 goals-against average and tallying five shutouts—two of which came against Big Ten opponents. Off the collegiate pitch, he continued to elevate his game with Jackson Lions FC in the NPSL, where he played a pivotal role in helping the club win the East Conference title.
The Wildcats also had a valuable addition in Hangi. The transfer from Georgia State made 56 saves (four clean sheets) with a 73.7% saving success rate last season. Entering his final eligible year, he’s able to strengthen the Wildcats’ defense with experience.