The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Men's Soccer Unveils 2025 Newcomer Class
August 05 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer squad under the leadership of 13th-year head coach Jared Embick, has announced a talented 15-member newcomer class that will hit the pitch for the Zips during the 2025 campaign.
Donning the Akron uniform this fall will be Ignacio Alem (Potomac, Md.), Abdi Bahur (Toronto, Ontario), Gavin Crane (Hinckley, Ohio), Braxton Hayes (Bowie, Md.), Logan LaMaina (Sellersville, Pa.), Farrel Ngongang (Montreal, Quebec), Matthew Paiva (Toronto, Ontario), Malte Schmaus (Hammersbach, Germany) and Dylan Wilkinson (Bradford, England).
The nine players are part of Akron's 2025 signing class joining six members in Aljaz Dodig (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Freddy Kossehasse (McKinney, Texas), Tyler Morck (Bethpage, N.Y.), Jose Pedro (Porto, Portugal), Jamai Royer (Markham, Ontario) and Jack Sullivan (Potomac, Md.), that signed with the Zips prior to the spring semester.
"We are thrilled with the new additions to the program," said Embick. "We believe we added some quality experienced transfers and exciting young talent to compliment the players we brought to campus in January. These players will not only provide immediate help but be the foundation of Zips soccer in the future."
A native of Potomac, Md., Alem, a forward, comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience at Virginia. Alem appeared in 11 games over two seasons at Virginia. A four-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he was rated as the No. 2 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Playing two seasons with D.C. United Academy, he was twice selected an MLS Next All-Star. He helped his D.C. United Academy squad to an MLS Next Cup title during the 2021-22 campaign. Additionally, he garnered time with the United States U-17 squad.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Bahur, a forward, comes to Akron after playing a year ago at East Tennessee State where he appeared in 16 games, including six starts. He ranked second on his squad in assists in 2024 with six, while registering 12 shots, with five falling on net. He attended Silverthorn Collegiate Institute where he received back-to-back MVP honors in 2022 and 2023. Bahur was named the 2021 Player of the Year with Vaughan Soccer Club and played for the Des Moines Menace in USL2. Additionally, he played with Toronto FC and was selected for the Somalia National Team where he played in African Cup of Nations U17 and the CECAFA U18.
A native of Hinckley, Ohio, Crane, a goalkeeper, comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Cleveland Force FC. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he rated as the No. 33 prospect in the Great Lakes Region.
A native of Bowie, Md., Hayes, a midfielder, comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Nashville SC. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he rated No. 116 on the IMG Top 200, the No. 3 prospect in the South Region and the No. 40 midfielder in the country.
A native of Sellersville, Pa., LaMaina, a defender was a four-year letterwinner at Pennridge High School. An All-Conference selection, he finished his prep career scoring 31 goals and adding 17 assists, while collecting 11 goals and seven assists during his senior campaign. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he rated as the No. 30 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Additionally, he garnered time with Sporting Athletic.
A native of Montreal, Quebec, Ngongang, was a standout forward with the CF Montreal Academy.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Paiva, a defender comes to Akron after having played last season at McMaster University in Canada. A year ago, he appeared in 13 games, including 12 starts and garnered OUA All-Star First-Team and U SPORTS All-Rookie team accolades on the strength of scoring two goals. He was drafted third overall in the Canadian Premier League draft in 2024 by the Halifax Wanderers FC. Additionally, he gained valuable experience with Scrosoppi FC.
A native of Hammersbach, Germany, Schmaus, a midfielder comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with FC Eriensee.
A native of Bradford, England, Wilkinson, grew up in the Bradford City FC youth system where he was a key contributor for 11 seasons as a defender.
2025 AKRON MEN'S SOCCER SIGNING CLASS
Ignacio Alem, F, 5-10, So. (R), Potomac, Md. (Winston Churchill/Virginia)
Abdi Bahur, F, 6-1, So., Toronto, Ontario (Silverthrone/East Tennessee St.)
Gavin Crane, GK, 6-4, Fr., Hinckley, Ohio (St. Ignatius)
Aljaz Dodig, F, 6-0, Fr., Ljubljana, Slovenia (ŠC PET)
Braxton Hayes, MF, 5-8, Fr., Bowie, Md. (EdOptions Academy)
Freddy Kossehasse, D, 6-1, Jr., McKinney, Texas (Independence/Iowa Western CC)
Logan LaMaina, D, 6-0, Fr., Sellersville, Pa. (Pennridge)
Tyler Morck, MF, 5-8, So. (R), Bethpage, N.Y. (Bethpage/St. John's)
Farrel Ngongang, F. 6-0, Fr., Montreal, Quebec (Antoine de-Saint Exupery)
Matthew Paiva, D, 6-2, Jr., Toronto, Ontario (Christ the King/McMaster)
Jose Pedro, D, 6-2, Fr., Porto, Portugal (Clip)
Jamai Royer, D, 6-1, Fr., Markham, Ontario (St. Mary's Secondary)
Malte Schmaus, MF, 5-9, Fr., Hammersbach, Germany (Wolfgang-Ernst Gymnasium)
Jack Sullivan, MF, 5-9, Jr., Potomac, Md. (Laurel Springs/Saint Louis)
Dylan Wilkinson, D, 5-11, Fr., Bradford, England (Beckfoot School)
Donning the Akron uniform this fall will be Ignacio Alem (Potomac, Md.), Abdi Bahur (Toronto, Ontario), Gavin Crane (Hinckley, Ohio), Braxton Hayes (Bowie, Md.), Logan LaMaina (Sellersville, Pa.), Farrel Ngongang (Montreal, Quebec), Matthew Paiva (Toronto, Ontario), Malte Schmaus (Hammersbach, Germany) and Dylan Wilkinson (Bradford, England).
The nine players are part of Akron's 2025 signing class joining six members in Aljaz Dodig (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Freddy Kossehasse (McKinney, Texas), Tyler Morck (Bethpage, N.Y.), Jose Pedro (Porto, Portugal), Jamai Royer (Markham, Ontario) and Jack Sullivan (Potomac, Md.), that signed with the Zips prior to the spring semester.
"We are thrilled with the new additions to the program," said Embick. "We believe we added some quality experienced transfers and exciting young talent to compliment the players we brought to campus in January. These players will not only provide immediate help but be the foundation of Zips soccer in the future."
A native of Potomac, Md., Alem, a forward, comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience at Virginia. Alem appeared in 11 games over two seasons at Virginia. A four-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he was rated as the No. 2 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Playing two seasons with D.C. United Academy, he was twice selected an MLS Next All-Star. He helped his D.C. United Academy squad to an MLS Next Cup title during the 2021-22 campaign. Additionally, he garnered time with the United States U-17 squad.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Bahur, a forward, comes to Akron after playing a year ago at East Tennessee State where he appeared in 16 games, including six starts. He ranked second on his squad in assists in 2024 with six, while registering 12 shots, with five falling on net. He attended Silverthorn Collegiate Institute where he received back-to-back MVP honors in 2022 and 2023. Bahur was named the 2021 Player of the Year with Vaughan Soccer Club and played for the Des Moines Menace in USL2. Additionally, he played with Toronto FC and was selected for the Somalia National Team where he played in African Cup of Nations U17 and the CECAFA U18.
A native of Hinckley, Ohio, Crane, a goalkeeper, comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Cleveland Force FC. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he rated as the No. 33 prospect in the Great Lakes Region.
A native of Bowie, Md., Hayes, a midfielder, comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Nashville SC. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he rated No. 116 on the IMG Top 200, the No. 3 prospect in the South Region and the No. 40 midfielder in the country.
A native of Sellersville, Pa., LaMaina, a defender was a four-year letterwinner at Pennridge High School. An All-Conference selection, he finished his prep career scoring 31 goals and adding 17 assists, while collecting 11 goals and seven assists during his senior campaign. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he rated as the No. 30 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Additionally, he garnered time with Sporting Athletic.
A native of Montreal, Quebec, Ngongang, was a standout forward with the CF Montreal Academy.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Paiva, a defender comes to Akron after having played last season at McMaster University in Canada. A year ago, he appeared in 13 games, including 12 starts and garnered OUA All-Star First-Team and U SPORTS All-Rookie team accolades on the strength of scoring two goals. He was drafted third overall in the Canadian Premier League draft in 2024 by the Halifax Wanderers FC. Additionally, he gained valuable experience with Scrosoppi FC.
A native of Hammersbach, Germany, Schmaus, a midfielder comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with FC Eriensee.
A native of Bradford, England, Wilkinson, grew up in the Bradford City FC youth system where he was a key contributor for 11 seasons as a defender.
2025 AKRON MEN'S SOCCER SIGNING CLASS
Ignacio Alem, F, 5-10, So. (R), Potomac, Md. (Winston Churchill/Virginia)
Abdi Bahur, F, 6-1, So., Toronto, Ontario (Silverthrone/East Tennessee St.)
Gavin Crane, GK, 6-4, Fr., Hinckley, Ohio (St. Ignatius)
Aljaz Dodig, F, 6-0, Fr., Ljubljana, Slovenia (ŠC PET)
Braxton Hayes, MF, 5-8, Fr., Bowie, Md. (EdOptions Academy)
Freddy Kossehasse, D, 6-1, Jr., McKinney, Texas (Independence/Iowa Western CC)
Logan LaMaina, D, 6-0, Fr., Sellersville, Pa. (Pennridge)
Tyler Morck, MF, 5-8, So. (R), Bethpage, N.Y. (Bethpage/St. John's)
Farrel Ngongang, F. 6-0, Fr., Montreal, Quebec (Antoine de-Saint Exupery)
Matthew Paiva, D, 6-2, Jr., Toronto, Ontario (Christ the King/McMaster)
Jose Pedro, D, 6-2, Fr., Porto, Portugal (Clip)
Jamai Royer, D, 6-1, Fr., Markham, Ontario (St. Mary's Secondary)
Malte Schmaus, MF, 5-9, Fr., Hammersbach, Germany (Wolfgang-Ernst Gymnasium)
Jack Sullivan, MF, 5-9, Jr., Potomac, Md. (Laurel Springs/Saint Louis)
Dylan Wilkinson, D, 5-11, Fr., Bradford, England (Beckfoot School)
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