University of Maryland Athletics

Men's Soccer 3/26/2024 12:24:00 PM

Cirovski Announces 2024 Roster Additions

COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland men's soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski announced additions to the program's roster for the 2024 season Tuesday afternoon.

Information for the signees can be found below. Jace Clark and Laurin Mack have already enrolled with the Terps for the 2024 spring season.

"I am excited to welcome these young men to our program," Cirovski said "They possess the attributes we look for in our players on and off the field. Their diverse skill sets will add to what we have coming back from last season. Terp fans will enjoy watching them play at Ludwig Field in the fall!"

Hudson Blatteis

Los Angeles, CA
Brown // Real So Cal
Goalkeeper

Before Maryland: Played in 11 matches and started 10 during his senior season at Brown..earned the starting job midway through the season…had a goals against average of 0.55 and made 33 saves, going 3-1-7 with six shutouts…became the first goalkeeper in Ivy League history to not concede a goal in conference play…Second-Team All-Ivy League…two-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year…helped Brown reach the Ivy League Championship Game.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski "Hudson is a veteran goalkeeper that comes to us from Brown University. He proved to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Ivy League last season. He is a very good shot stopper and is great at coming off his line. He has strong leadership qualities that will help him integrate into the group."

JACE CLARK

Baltimore, MD.
Loudoun United
Defender

Before Maryland: Played for the D.C. United Academy for coach Matt Arrington and Loudoun United for coach Ryan Martin...Made 28 appearances for Loudoun in the USL Championship, playing 1,249 minutes...Scored one goal for Loudoun...Played for D.C. United's youth sides prior to signing a development contract with Loudoun, who serves as D.C. United's reserve team…Son of Maceo and Kia Clark...says his father is his biggest inspiration.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Jace is a tenacious defender that is also very comfortable on the ball. Capable of playing as a central defender and outside back, he has the qualities to have an immediate impact as proven by his experience in the USL Championship with Loudoun. Since enrolling this spring, Jace has already integrated very well into the team."

Mikkel lejbowicz

Farum, Denmark
FC Roskilde
Forward

Before Maryland: Before Maryland: Comes to Maryland from FC Roskilde after also playing for Fremad Amager and FC Nordsjælland…top scorer for FC Nordsjælland at the U-17 level and helped FC Nordsjælland win the U17 Danish League Championship…11 Goals in the Danish U19 Superliga…Appeared for the U19 Denmark National Team…12 Games in Nordicbetliga (2nd highest senior level in Denmark) for Fremad Amager.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Mikkel is a gifted goal scoring striker that is a threat to opposing backlines due to his physical qualities, ball striking and technical ability. His youth experiences at FC Nordsjaelland and in the Danish 1st Division give him the proficiencies that should translate immediately into the college game."

laurin mack

Emmendingen, Germany
SC Freiburg
Goalkeeper

Before Maryland: Comes to Maryland from SC Freiburg of the German Bundisliga, former club for Terp great Zack Steffen…made appearances for SC Freiburg II in 3.Liga…also made appearances in the U19 Bundesliga…is enrolled for the 2024 spring semester

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Laurin is a very mature and talented goalkeeper that comes to us from SC Freiburg in Germany. His experience at the youth academy and 3.Liga level in Germany with Freiburg II will prepare him well for the collegiate game. He has great instincts and a strong presence in the box. His shot stopping, distribution and communication have already been showcased since he arrived this spring."

JAMESON MICHEL

Columbia, MD.
Baltimore Armour
Forward

Before Maryland: Played for Baltimore Armour…coached by Mike Lookingland…participated in the MLS Next Fest All-Star Game…scored thirty goals in a single season for Armour…Son of Jean-Marc and Lori…father was a gymnast for Penn State…attended Howard High School…member of the honor roll…favorite soccer player is Neymar.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Jameson has a tenacious mentality when it comes to hunting the ball and driving forward first. He comes to College Park from Baltimore Armour as a goal scoring forward. His change of direction and his shiftiness on the ball will make it tough for defenders to stay with him."

LUKAS MICHELBRINK

Berlin, Germany
Hertha BSC
Midfielder

Before Maryland: Played for Hertha BSC U-19 in the Youth Bundesliga …North/Northeastern Conference Champions 2022,2023…Son of Andreas and Loreta Michelbrink…Brother Jonas Michelbrink plays for MSV Duisburg of 3. Liga…made an appearance for the German U18 national team and has made seven appearances for the Lithuania U19 national team.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Lukas is a box to box midfielder that has the ability to break lines both with
a pass or dribble. His deceptiveness allows him to find passing lanes to create assists, while also having a great shot from distance, making him a goal scoring threat. His leadership is undeniable as the Captain of Hertha Berlin U19 and the Lithuanian U19 National Team."

alexi mihalek

Tampa, FL
Tampa Bay United
Defender

Before Maryland: Played for Tampa Bay United…selected to attend the United States Youth National Team Regional Identification Center…trained with Tampa Bay Rowdies of the United Soccer League.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Alexi is a talented Center Back from Tampa Bay United that has been playing with their U19 age group for the past three years. He also has experience training with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of USL. Alexi is an excellent passer and can break lines on the dribble, anticipates the game well defensively, and can cover space behind the back line."

OWEN PRESTHUS

New Albany, Ohio
Columbus Crew Academy
Forward

Before Maryland: Played for the Columbus Crew Academy under coaches Gus Teren, Kelvin Jones, Sergio Lopez and Evan Fuhs…played in six games and started two for Columbus Crew 2 in MLS NEXT Pro…scored a stoppage time Olimpico to beat Manchester United U-17 in the 2023 GA Cup…goal was named the GA Cup Goal of the Tournament…won the Who Dares Wins Award in the Columbus Crew Academy, given to the player "Being willing to take risks and trusting it will pay off."...MLSSoccer.com Honorable Mention Best XI for the 2023 GA Cup…trained with the Crew first team in the 2023 preseason….Son of Tom and Melissa Presthus…Melissa was the captain of the 1995 SMU women's soccer team that advanced to the College Cup semifinals…Tom was the men's soccer captain at SMU and played seven seasons in MLS with D.C. United and Columbus Crew…Tom was named an MLS All-Star in 1999 and won two MLS Cups, along with earning one USMNT cap…brother TJ plays soccer at Yale and was the 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year…brother Rhys plays for the Columbus Crew Academy.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Owen is a dynamic two footed player than can play any of the attacking positions. He has been showcased as a winger with the Columbus Crew Academy and has continued to impress us with his growth in the last two years. His combination of balance, agility and comfort on the ball make him a constant threat that we are excited to bring to Ludwig field next fall."

MAX ROGERS

Sydney, Australia
Yale
Forward

Before Maryland: Played two seasons for Yale…2023 All-Ivy League First Team selection…2023 United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team selection…2023 Ivy League All-Tournament Team…Started all 20 matches for Yale, scoring four goals and notching seven assists…2022 Honorable Mention All-Ivy selection…had six assists in 2022…appeared in 16 games and started 14…played two seasons for Fordham…started 17 games in 2021, leading Fordham with 13 points (7 assists, 3 goals)...helped Fordham win the Atlantic 10 championship in 2020…played club soccer in Australia for Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC and Manly United…Uncle, Chris Rogers, was a professional cricketer in Australia.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Max is a very talented and crafty attacking player who can both provide a final pass and score goals. He comes to us as a graduate student from Yale, where he has experience playing for an NCAA Tournament team. Max's ability, intelligence and leadership will provide an immediate impact for our team."

AIDAN SHEPPELA

Brentwood, New Hampshire
Seacoast United
Forward

Before Maryland: Played at Seacoast United…coached by Alex Ryan…helped Seacoast United reach the quarterfinals of the MLS NXT Cup…Son of John and Jeanine.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Aidan is a goal scoring forward coming out of Seacoast Academy with a lethal left foot. He has the ability to drive and unbalance opponents and a knack for getting on the end of crosses to score goals."

Travis thompson

Garden City, NY
NYCFC Academy
Forward

Before Maryland: Played for the NYCFC Academy…coached by Jose Jimenez…called up to play for NYCFC II...Top Drawer Player of the Week...Son of Christopher and Courtney…Christopher played soccer at St. John's…Brother Luke played lacrosse at Kenyon…attended Garden City High School.

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Travis is a dynamic attacking player that comes to us from NYCFC and Blau Weiss Gottschee MLS Next Academies. He is very good with both feet and can play any position across the front line. His pace and desire to press and regain the ball when defending and ability to get behind an opponent's back line will serve him well."

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Hudson Blatteis

Los Angeles, CA Brown // Real So Cal Goalkeeper

JACE CLARK

Baltimore, MD. Loudoun United Defender

Mikkel lejbowicz

Farum, Denmark FC Roskilde Forward