DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake University head men's soccer coach Pat Flinn has announced the addition of nine prep standouts and four transfers for the 2022 season.
 
Flinn said, "I am thrilled to welcome these 13 incoming student-athletes to Drake. The class adds great balance positionally and fits our culture on and off the field. These guys will join JP Pascarella and Sam Thornton, who both had outstanding Spring seasons, as new faces for the program this fall. August can't come soon enough; this is an exciting time for Drake Men's Soccer."
 
The men's soccer program continues to add new talent every season and is replacing 10 seniors who graduated in May 2021. The program added three men in the spring and will add the additional 13 this summer.
 
Drake fell to Evansville in the quarterfinal of the MVC tournament last fall, 4-2. The Bulldogs ended with a 6-9 record in the 2021 season.
 
 
Fall 2022 Freshman
Ryder Barrett
Central defender
Rockhurst High School (IL)
Sporting Blue Valley
 
"Ryder is a great athlete with a lot to offer on the ball as well. He is the type of defender that will allow us to play more aggressively higher up the field. Ryder had a dominant high school and club career while playing as a center back in Kansas City, culminating with being named a high school All-American and Missouri's Player of the Year." – Coach Flinn
 
Timmy Browning
Attacking midfielder/inverted winger
Middleton High School (WI)
FC Wisconsin
 
"Timmy is an aggressive attacking player that can score goals and create chances for others. He has a non-stop motor and a relentless mentality. Although an attacking player, Timmy defends well. He's great in pressure and tackles very effectively. We are elated that Timmy chose to be a student-athlete at Drake. – Coach Flinn
 
Noah Corrigan
Defender
Middleton High School (WI)
FC Wisconsin
 
"Noah is an old-school defender. He is a good athlete that loves to tackle and win the ball for his team. He is technically clean, tactically aware and a good possession minded player. His FC Wisconsin team has had a ton of success and Noah has a lot to do with that. We believe he is strong enough in the tackle and quick enough to play in multiple defensives roles." – Coach Flinn
 
Eskil Gjerde
Defensive midfielder/centerback
Karakterutskrift (Norway)
Egersunds IK
 
"Eskil brings a unique combination of mobility, physicality, and composure in possession. Achieving first team appearances for a successful 2^nd Division side as an 18-year-old is no small feat, and we believe his experience along with his skill set is a perfect addition to our team." – Coach Flinn
 
Sam Hill
Defender/defensive midfield
Lassiter High School (GA)
North Atlanta Soccer Association
 
"Sam is one of those types of players that is consistent every time he plays, but if you're able to see him more than a few times you realize how great he really is. Sam recently captained his high school team (Lassiter HS, Marietta, GA) to their first state championship since 1996. He is a leader and a winner that reads the game very well and rarely makes a poor decision. Sam's addition makes Coach Pat Flinn the least successful Lassiter alum on the team." – Coach Flinn
 
Juan Lopez
Central defender
Tecnologica de Monterrey (Mexico)
Tlaxcala FC
 
"Athletic, left-footed center backs can add so much value to a team and we feel like we found a great one in Juan. His timing in the air and leaping ability are elite, he tackles hard, and has a great range of passing with his left foot. Being a member of Tlaxcala's successful first season in Mexico's second Division (Liga de Expansion MX) this year, is incredible preparation for the fall." – Coach Flinn
 
Valdemar Nambo
Central midfielder
Vernon Hills High School (IL)
Libertyville FC 1974 Soccer Club
 
"Valde will add something a little bit different to our midfield. His ability to turn, pass and shoot with both feet, and dribble past players will allow him to compete immediately and gives him a great platform to build on as a college player. He is a competitor that is universally loved by his teammates and coaches." – Coach Flinn
 
Zac Monnett
Forward
Minooka High School (IL)
Galaxy Soccer Club
 
"Fortunate circumstances allowed us to cross paths with Zac very late in the recruiting process. We were at a showcase to see Valde (Nambo) play live, and Zac just kept scoring goals on an adjacent field. He dealt with injuries that limited his exposure during his junior year but has continued to develop and has all the tools necessary to do the hardest thing in soccer…score goals. He has the ideal physicality of a college 9, runs well, wins aerial challenges, and can finish with both feet. Zac's best soccer is still in front of him." – Coach Flinn
 
Damian Segura
Attacking midfielder
North Gwinnett High School (GA)
NASA ECNL
 
"Damian is flat out one of the best youth players in Atlanta. After joining Atlanta United about a year ago, he suffered a series of unfortunate injuries that set him back but has worked incredibly hard to get back to his level. His greatest attributes are his deadly left foot, 1v1 proficiency, ability to combine, and the knack for playing a great final pass. With continued hard work and dedication, Damian can become an elite college soccer player." – Coach Flinn
 
 

Fall 2022 Transfers
Nico Cortes
Defensive midfielder
Colegio Internacional SEK (Chile)
Fort Hays State
 
"Nico grew up in Chile and had two very successful seasons, as a team and individually, at a great Division II program in Fort Hays. He is a savvy holding midfielder that does a great job facilitating possession and breaking up attacks in midfield." – Coach Flinn
 
Austin Holtebeck
Central midfielder/defender
Germantown High School (WI)
University of Wisconsin
"Austin began his college career at Drake before transferring to Madison. Austin made two appearances in his RS-Freshman season at Wisconsin. His path is unique but represents his passion for the game and willingness to do whatever it takes to continue playing at a high level. He is a versatile player with a well-rounded skill set: great passer with both feet, good mobility, and strong in the air. The team is very excited to have Austin back." – Coach Flinn
 
Jon Burke
Goalkeeper
St. Francis High School (IL)
Eastern Illinois
 
"Jon brings a great experience from his time at EIU. He has played a ton of minutes as a #1 goalkeeper in Division 1 soccer, along with an incredible work ethic. His frame and athleticism give him the potential to dominate in the air and stop shots at an elite level. His technique is refined; he moves around the box efficiently and distributes the ball very well. He is excited to have the opportunity to work with Coach Andrew Blalock and will compete immediately to fill the void left by MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Jared Brown." – Coach Flinn
 

AJ Franklin
Winger
St. Edward Catholic High School (IL)
Marquette University
 
"AJ brings great experience from his time at Marquette. He is a unique player; much taller than typical wingers, but incredibly difficult to handle in 1v1 attacking situations and a great left foot that he can create chances and score bigtime goals with. We believe he is the type of attacking player that will be at his best as a featured attacking outlet." – Coach Flinn