Men's Soccer Announces Newcomers for 2023

Central Connecticut men's soccer head coach David Kelly has announced the addition of nine newcomers for the upcoming 2023 season. The incoming group will add depth and experience to a Blue Devils roster that returns 16 members of from last season's team.

A look at the next crop of Blue Devils:

Ethan Agyare-Danso – Etobicoke, Canada – Woodbridge– 5'9" – F

Before CCSU: Woodbridge Strikers of the Ontario Player Development League...ODPL Golden Boot in 2019 with 22 goals in 22 games.

Kelly on Agyare Danso: "Ethan comes to us from Woodbridge Strikers in Ontario, where he excelled under Coach Fabio Panetta. Ethan is extremely fast, skillful, and has all of the attributes of a top DI attacker. We are really excited that he's coming to Central, and he will add a dynamic presence up front."

Andres Aldeguer – Muntinlupa, Philippines – Azkals Development Team – 6'1" – F

Before CCSU: Attended De La Salle Santiago Zobel...Member of the Philippine National Team at the U20, U22 and U23 level...UAAP Rookie of the Year.

Kelly on Aldeguer: "Andres is a top striker from the Philippines. He is currently the youngest player in their full national team. Andres is a complete number nine, with the ability to run in behind, or hold the ball up with his big frame. Along with Ethan, we expect Andres to immediately bolster our attacking options."

Benjamin Bjoerkman – Stockholm, Sweden – IK Brage – 6'0" – F

Before CCSU: Attended Hagagymnasiet...Played for IK Brage club...Captain of the U19 IK Brage Academy

Kelly on Bjoerkman: "Benjamin is an outstanding midfielder who has good size, is very athletic, and possesses outstanding technique. He's played at the top level with Djurgårdens IF and IK Brage in Sweden, and we're confident that he's prepared to step right in and help pull the strings in the center of the park."

Jacob Culpepper – McKinney, TX – Solar Soccer Club – 5'10" – F

Before CCSU: Attended Heritage High School...Named District MVP in 2023...Earned Offensive Player of the Year and 1^st Team All-District honors in 2022...ODP national team in 2021...District Newcomer of the Year (2021).

Kelly on Culpepper: "Jacob has had s stellar career at Solar in Texas under Coach Grant Sawyer. He has scored a ridiculous amount of goals in the ECNL, and is a natural born goal-scorer. Jacob will compete right away for time in the forward position."

Jared Frack – Sydney, Australia – Hakoah Sydney City East – 5'8" – M/F

Before CCSU: Australian school boys...Two-time NSW state team...NPL Champions...CIS Blues.

Kelly on Frack: "Jared comes to us from Australia, where he has represented Australia at the schoolboy level. Jared is an outstanding prospect for our future as he works his way back into fitness."

Colton Gains – Davie, FL – Weston FC MLS Next – 6'2" – D

Before CCSU: Attended Western High School...Played for Weston FC MLS Next and head coach Luis Mendoza...2021 MLS Next U16 champions...VIII Elio Serilli Tournament champions.

Kelly on Gains: "Colton comes to us from Weston FC in Florida, where he was a top defender under Coach Luis Mendoza. Colton is an outstanding prospect for us, with all of the tools as a center back to compete in our back line. He has size, he's athletic, and he will be a threat on set pieces."

Julian Layne – Gardner, KS – Pratt CC – 6'1" – GK

Before CCSU: Played for Kevin Kewley at Pratt Community College…Two-time NJCAA Region XI champion at Pratt…Two-time KJCCC conference champions…Allowed just six goals in seven games played as a sophomore…Had a 3-0-2 record and made 24 saves in 2022…Made four saves and did not allow a goal in two games as a freshman.

Kelly on Layne: "Julian is a talented goalkeeper with all of the attributes of a quality D1 goalkeeper. We expect him to come in right away and add competition to our goalkeeping situation. Julian is also a great student, and as a person, has the sort of character that we need to continue the growth of the program."

Trevor Rau – Plainville, CT – FSA  – D

Before CCSU: Attended Plainville High School...Two-time all-conference...All-state...Scored 62 goals in high school career...Played for FSA FC for 13 years

Kelly on Rau: "Trevor comes to us from FSA, a club I am very familiar with, so I know he's a solid defender who has pace, and quality technique. He's also exactly the type of person that we're looking for as we build this program. Trevor should compete right away for time in defense. "

Gabriel Tucker - Santa Rosa, CA – Santa Rosa JC - 6'2" – D

Before CCSU: Attended Montgomery High School...At Santa Rosa, played in 18 games, making 16 starts, with two assists in 2022...Helped team to a 9-2-9 overall record and a 4-0-6 conference record...Started eight contests in 2021.

Kelly on Tucker: "Gabe is a junior college transfer from Santa Rosa College in California. He had an excellent career there, and Gabe's versatility gives us the ability to play in a back-3 or -4. He's a really competitive individual, is a beast of a defender, and will seamlessly transition from junior college to DI."

Justin Vallejo – Danbury, CT – Beachside SC – 5'8" – M

Before CCSU: Attended Danbury High School...Played at Beachside for Mickey Kydes...2021-22 MLS Next league champions…Two-time MLS Next playoffs

Kelly on Vallejo: "Justin comes to us from Beachside, where he was coached by a Connecticut legend, Mickey Kydes. Justin is quick, skillful, and has the game IQ which will allow him the opportunity to come in and compete for time right away in midfield."