Western Illinois Welcomes 10 More Newcomers to 2024 Squad

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | By: WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

MACOMB, IL - Leatherneck Men's Soccer Head Coach Eric Johnson expanded his 2024 class from two to 12, the program announced on Wednesday. The ten new recruits join Western from all different backgrounds, with seven American players from six different states, two from Canada, and one from Spain.

Alexis Michaud, a goalkeeper from Saint-Basile-Le-Grand, Québec, Canada, is the first addition for the 2024 Leathernecks. Michaud earned many scholar-athlete awards during his time before Western, including being named a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Scholar Award recipient. Michaud detailed that he chose Western because he connected well with head coach Eric Johnson, the small town feel of Macomb, and being able to rely on his teammates.

Another international addition, this time via Madrid, Spain, Fernando Adrados joins the Leathernecks in 2023. Adrados is a left center back, who received honors at his position in the honors division league, the highest tier of youth soccer in Spain. He noted that playing for Coach Johnson was a big part of his decision, saying "He really wanted me here, checking on me often even though I was playing in Spain."

Ryan Wrobleski, a center back/defensive midfielder from Sussex, Wisconsin, attended Sussex Hamilton High School. Wrobleski won multiple awards while in high school, including a 2022 WIAA Division 1 State Championship, named to WIAA All-State, and playing for the ODP national team under Leatherneck head coach Eric Johnson. Wrobleski's past experience with Johnson helped bring him to Western Illinois, as he stated "I feel like I can succeed under coach Johnson at the collegiate level…I liked the style of play (we) had with ODP."

A winger/fullback from Thunder Bay, Ontario Leevi Swearengen is set to join the Leathernecks in the fall of 2024. Swearengen noted that his most memorable moment in soccer was winning the Target USA Cup with the Thunder Bay Chill. When asked why he chose WIU, Swearengen stated that the youth of the current team will allow him to grow with the group, as well as the success that Coach Eric Johnson and Western Illinois has had in the past.

August Jacus, a left back from Allegan, Michigan, earned All-Conference, All-District, and All-Academic honors in high school. Coming to Western in the fall of 2024, August said "I felt a good connection to the staff and the school. It was a good fit for me."

A native of Des Moines, IA, Henrry Abarca-Gonzalez is set to join Western in autumn of this year. Abarca-Gonzalez is a midfielder/attacker who received First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-State honors while at Dowling Catholic High School. Being close to home, Henrry stated that he chose Western Illinois due to its close proximity to Des Moines, and "a lot of potential here in the program."

Dayton Strattman, a winger and midfielder from Perrysville, Missouri who attended St. Charles Community College, was a three-time All-State selection, two-time conference player of the year, and one-time state offensive player of the year in high school. At St. Charles, Strattman was an All-Conference selection. A chance to play at the highest level was a key factor for Strattman, who noted playing NCAA Division 1 Soccer was always a goal of his. "I'm excited to see what we can accomplish," said Strattman of the future at Western.

Coming from Long Beach, California to the Midwest, Gabriel Velasco will join Western's Men's Soccer program in the fall. A left sided defender, playing left back, left center back, and left wing back, Velasco was named Orange Empire All-Conference during his previous season at Irvine Valley College. Velasco has an impressive family history of collegiate and professional athletes. His father, Alfredo, was an All-American kicker for UCLA football, his mother, Laura, was on the Track and Field team for the Bruins, and cousin Adam Saldana currently plays for MLS outfit LA Galaxy.

Will Knight comes to Western from nearby Davenport, Iowa. Knight attended Davenport North High School, where he was 4A Academic All-State, and the captain of his high school squad. Knight noted that his father, Gabriel, who played soccer at St. Ambrose helped him grow as a player and is a major influence on him. When asked about his decision to attend Western Illinois, Knight said "I chose WIU because it provides all my academic preferences and is a high level of soccer close to home."

A transfer from Temple, Micah Ramirez has gone from Plano, Texas, to Philadelphia, and now to Macomb. A goalkeeper, Ramirez joined the Leathernecks this January. Ramirez made four starts and recorded five appearances for the Owls in 2022, recording 22 saves on the season. Ramirez noted he joined WIU due to the connection between him and coach Johnson.

Benjamin Graham and Diego Zarate, who signed last fall, will also join the squad for the 2024 season. You can read more about them here.

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