RIVERDALE, NY – Manhattan Jaspers'
Men's Soccer Head Coach Tom Giovatto has announced the addition of 28 newcomers to the Jasper family on Monday morning.
Gal Puconja - Midfielder - Ljubljana, Slovenia/Gymnasium Šiška/University of Ljubljana
Prior to College: Attended Gymnasium Šiška and University of Ljubljana … Played Varsity Soccer … Parents are Nina and Gorazd … Sibling is Nik … Majoring in Business.
Why Puconja Chose Manhattan: "To study and play soccer."
Khaled Daoud - Forward - Brooklyn, NY/Fort Hamilton/NJIT
2025 at NJIT (Sophomore): Appeared in 12 games … Started in two at Villanova (Oct. 7), and at Drexel (Oct. 14) … Posted nine shots with one shot on goal at CCSU (Sept. 16) … Clocked a total of 425 minutes on the pitch.
2024 at NJIT (Freshman): Appeared in eight games off the bench … Posted two shots on goal vs. Saint Peter's (Sept. 7) … Attempted PK vs. Saint Peter's … Notched 143 total minutes on the pitch.
Prior to College: Attended Hamilton High School … Club for NYCFC … Majoring in Civil Engineering.
Why Daoud Chose Manhattan: "Willing to compete for a winning program."
Cohen Fritz - Defender - Edina, MN/Edina/Presbyterian
2025 at Presbyterian College (Freshman): Did not play.
Prior to College: Attended Edina High School … Played four years of Varsity Boys' Soccer … One year of Varsity Boys' Hockey … Played for Minnesota Thunder Academy … Helped his Lliria Levante club team reach the 2023 ECNL National while winning the Midwest Conference Championships … Parents are Stephanie and Rob … Siblings are Caden and Emerson … Majoring in Economics.
Why Fritz Chose Manhattan: "Soccer and Location."
Chain Julian Jang - Midfielder - Seoul, South Korea/Prosper (TX)
Prior to College: Attended Prosper High School (TX) … Three-years of Varsity Boys' Soccer … Club for FC Dallas ECNL Red … Competed in ECNL National Postseason … Participated in UPSL … Parents are Jin and Youngeun Cha … Brother is Jonas … Majoring in Finance.
Why Jang Chose Manhattan: "Manhattan has a strong soccer program with great coaches. It also is a great school academically in NYC."
Pau Mascarell - Midfielder - Valencia, Spain/IES Vall de la Safor
Prior to College: Attended IES Vall de La Safor … Parents are Oscar and Maritxe … Majoring in Business.
Why Mascarell Chose Manhattan: "Chose Manhattan University because I believe it is a great university with a strong academic reputation. I am especially interested in the O'Malley School of Business because I want to study business and develop the skills I need for my future career. I also think studying in New York would be an incredible opportunity because it is an international city where I can learn from people from different cultures."
Bjorn Asmundsson – Midfielder – Akranes, Iceland/The Comprehensive College of West Iceland
Prior to College: Attended The Comprehensive College of West Iceland … Played Varsity Boys' Soccer … Club for KFG … Parents are Asmundur and Margret … Siblings are Haraldur, Viktor, Magnea, and Audur … Majoring in Management and Minoring in Sports Management.
Why Asmundsson Chose Manhattan: "The location plays a big part in my decision, the idea of bringing success on the field in the big city of New York would be something different than winning in any other state and moving from a small fishing town in Iceland to New York is so exciting. The academic and social side is something totally different than going to any other school because all of the networking opportunities and being so close to the city is so valuable, and I can learn so much about the world by just living in New York."
Marko Matesic – Forward – Riverdale, NY/Iona Preparatory School
Prior to College: Attended Iona Preparatory School … 4x Varsity Boys' Soccer and Track and Field … One year of Varsity Boys' Volleyball … Club for TSF Academy … Scored six goals in the fall season … Played for MLS Next side at TSF … LoHud Watchlist … National Honors, English, and Italian Honor Societies … First and Second Honors … Superior Talent Enrichment Program (STEM) … AP Scholar … Presidential Award Recipient … Parents are Chris and Natale … Sisters are Viviana and Valentina … Father, Chris, played basketball at Hunter College … Mom, Natale, played Women's Basketball at FIT … Majoring in Finance.
Why Matesic Chose Manhattan: "For the elite soccer program and catholic education."
Andrea Campoli – Defender – Rome, Italy/Liceo Santa Rosa/NJIT
2025 at NJIT (Senior): Appeared and started in four matches at FDU (Aug. 24), UConn (Aug. 28), Rider (Sept. 6), and La Salle (Sept. 9) before season ending injury … Shown one yellow card … Recorded 293 total minutes on the pitch.
2024 at NJIT (Junior): Appeared in seven games and started in five before season ending injury … Posted three shots with one on goal … Shown two yellow cards … Clocked 399 total minutes on the pitch.
2023 at NJIT (Sophomore): Appeared in 16 games … Started in 12 … Logged one goal vs. Villanova (Aug. 31) … Posted six shots with three on target … Shown one yellow card … Clocked 1,130 total minutes on the pitch.
2022 at NJIT (Freshman): America East All-Rookie Team … Appeared in 10 games … Started in nine … Posted first collegiate strike vs. Hartford (Oct. 18) … Recorded three shots with two on target … Shown two yellow cards … Registered 775 total minutes on the pitch.
Prior to College: Attended Liceo Santa Rosa and played for the US Viterbese, capturing the Primavera 3 Championship … Club for USL League Two side Morris Elite SC … Son of Dino and Barbara Lolletti … Siblings are Luca Andriano and Giulio Lorenzo … Pursuing master's in organizational behavior.
Why Campoli Chose Manhattan: "The location, culture, academics, and ambition to bring the program its first ever title."
Dohryien Lee – Forward – Palos Verdes, CA/Dunedin/Seton Hall
Prior to College: Attended Dunedin High School … Originally Committed to Seton Hall University … One year of Varsity Boys' Soccer … Club for Clearwater Chargers on MLS Next side and leant a hand in major upsets against LA Galaxy, FC Dallas, and Inter Miami academies … Played for Strive Tampa Bay in Florida Premier League … 3x Academic Honors … Parents are Dina Joseph and Chedmond T'shaka Lee … Siblings are Dayyan, Jamal, and Elizabeth … Majoring in Biology.
Why Lee Chose Manhattan: "I really enjoyed the coaches plan for the upcoming season and the location of the university."
Philip Isaksson – Goalkeeper – Stockholm, Sweden/Bromma Gymnasium
Prior to College: Attended Bromma Gymnasium … Club was IF Brommapojkarna … 2022 Allsvenskan U16 winner and 2025 Allsvenskan U19 winner (both won with club team IF Brommapojkarna) … Parents are Andreas and Marielle … Sister is Ellen … Majoring in Business Management.
Why Isaksson Chose Manhattan: "Gives me the opportunity to combine both soccer and education."
Alexander Kyprislidis – Midfielder – Woodside, NY/St. John's Prep
Prior to College: Attended St. John's Preparatory School … Club for Long Island Soccer Club … Member of National Honor Society … Parents are Lizebeth and Chrysovalanti … Sister is Isabel … Majoring in Business.
Why Kyprislidis Chose Manhattan: "Great business program."
Eliot Melgar – Forward – New York, NY/Jonathan Law/Eastern Connecticut State
2025 at Eastern Connecticut State (Sophomore): Little East Conference All-Academic Team … Appeared in 17 games … Started in 14 … Logged six goals (2 v. Keene State (Sept. 13), VTSU Castleton, Clark (Sept. 24), Fisher (Sept. 30), Rhode Island College (Oct. 29) and three assists v. Farmingdale State (Aug. 29), VTSU Castleton (Sept. 20), and Plymouth State (Oct. 4)) … Etched 32 shots to the scoresheet with 18 on target … Produced a shots on goal percentage clip of .563 … Logged 1,079 total minutes on the pitch.
2024 at Eastern Connecticut State (Freshman): Appeared in 16 games … Started in 14 … Logged three goals (Brandeis (Sept. 15), and two v. Fisher College (Oct. 9)) and two assists (Fisher and Plymouth State (Oct. 19)) … Recorded 30 shots with 10 shots on target … Clocked 1,013 total minutes on the field.
Prior to College: Played high school soccer for four years and was a three-year track and field member at Jonathan Law (CT) … in soccer was a four-year starter playing attacking mid, striker and winger that was named two-time All-Conference, Team MVP as a senior, four-time Gametime CT player of the week, two-time team top scorer, and Senior Bowl Selection … contributed to soccer program's state quarterfinal run as a freshman and senior, and team's conference championships as a freshman and sophomore along with being the team captain as a junior and senior … 33 goals and 11 assists … in track and field, qualified for states in the long jump and in the triple jump … academically received the All-Academic Team Award as a junior, National Hispanic Recognition Award … 4x High Honors … Outside of High School Soccer/Track and Field: Played soccer for Inter Connecticut at attacking midfield as a sophomore and junior … played for Manhattan Soccer Club ECNL as a senior … born
Eliot R. Melgar November 21, 2006 …
Parents: Ashley and Bryan …
Siblings: Sebastian, Eleanor …
Major: Marketing …
Career Plans: Business Owner …
Residence: Milford, CT.
Why Melgar Chose Manhattan: "Manhattan is a great program, and I feel close to home."
Nicolo Donadio – Defender – Rome Italy/Liceo Scientifico Isacco/Northeast Community College
2025 at Northeast Community College (Sophomore): Appeared in 19 games … Started in 18 … Posted one goal and two assists … Recorded 17 shots with 10 on target … Shown six yellow cards and one red card.
2024 at Murray State (JUCO) (Freshman): All-Region First Team … Appeared in 19 games … Started in 17 … Posted two goals and two assists … Recorded two shots on goal … Shown three yellow cards … Logged 200 minutes on the pitch.
Prior to College: Attended Liceo Scientifico Isacco … Parents are Pietro and Patrizia … Siblings are Carlotta and Santiago … Majoring in Business and Finance.
Why Donadio Chose Manhattan: "I love the project and ideas of the team. I want to win it all."
Gaspar Homar Bennasar – Goalkeeper – Alaro, Spain/IES Binissalem
Prior to College: Attended IES Binissalem … Club was RCD Mallorca … Parents are Marga and Biel … Sibling is Caterina … Majoring in Business.
Why Bennasar Chose Manhattan: "Because the coaching staff convinced me from the moment with their friendly approach and their sporting objectives, in addition to the good reputation of the business school."
Cristiano Marsilii – Forward – Rome, Italy/Liceo Kennedy
Prior to College: Attended Liceo Kennedy … Clubs were Lazio, Cittadella, Salernitana, Orvietana, Trastevere, Chieti, Maceratese, and Costa Orientale Sarda … Parents are Chiara Sersanti and Enrico … Sibling is Gabriele … Pursuing master's in business administration.
Why Marsilii Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because it offers the perfect synergy between high-level academics and a competitive athletic environment. Pursuing an MBA in such a dynamic institution will allow me to develop my business skills, while contributing at the highest level to the soccer program. Additionally, being located in New York provides unparalleled networking opportunities for my future career."
Federico Destro – Defender – Venice, Italy/Istitute Barbarigo/Hoosac School (NY)
Prior to College: Attended the Hoosac School (NY) and Istitute Barbarigo in Padova, Italy … Varsity Boys' Soccer … Played in all 35 matches … Nine goals and four assists overall … Club was Calcio Padova Youth Academy … 2x Championship Titles … Modern US History Awards … Parents are Leopoldo and Samantha Tabacchi … Sister is Maddalena … Father, Leopoldo played Rugby for 23 years … Called up to Italian National Team and played for Petrarca Rugby in Padua … Majoring in Business.
Why Destro Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because it offers a strong academic environment combined with a competitive athletic program. I was also attracted by the opportunity to develop both as a student and as a soccer player while being part of a diverse and competitive community in New York City."
Tycho van Haaren – Forward/Midfielder – Doetinchem, Netherlands/Rietveld Lyceum/Pearl River Community College
2025 at Pearl River Community College (Sophomore): Appeared in 13 games … Started in 11 … Recorded five goals and four assists … Posted 17 shots with 10 on target … Registered a shots-on-goal percentage of .588.
2024 at Pearl River Community College (Freshman): Gulf South District Championship … Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference Athletics Tournament Champion (MACCC) … NJCAA DII National Tournament Appearance … Appeared and started in 23 games … Provided five goals and 11 assists … Notched 40 shots with 23 on target … Shown two yellow cards.
Prior to College: Attended Rietveld Lyceum … Parents are Rick and Dayenne … Brother is Morris … Majoring in Media Design.
Why van Haaren Chose Manhattan: "The prestigious university and their professional athletics program spoke to me."
Allen Rivera – Defender – Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus
Prior to College: Played for Secaucus High School … Varsity Boys' Soccer … Club for TSF Academy and played for MLS Next side U19 '08 … Parents are Jessica Cabezas and Carlos … Brother is Giovanni, already on Jaspers
Men's Soccer team … Majoring in Finance.
Why Rivera Chose Manhattan: "Great team and a great college close to home."
Nicky Rana – Goalkeeper – Whitestone, NY/St. Francis Prep/Siena
2025 at Siena (Freshman): Did not play.
Prior to College: Attended St. Francis Preparatory School … Club for New York Soccer Club side MLS Next and New York Red Bulls Academy … Participated in MLS Next Uncommitted Showcase Team … Played soccer since the age of three … Business National Honor Society … Parents are Jeanine and Nick … Brothers are Anthony and Joseph … Majoring in Business.
Why Rana Chose Manhattan: "To have the opportunity to play at a school with a strong business while practicing my Faith."
Logan Colella – Defender – Lake Worth, FL/Somerset Academy Canyons/Gardner Webb
Prior to College: Attended Somerset Academy Canyons … Club for Weston FC and USL League Two side … Named 2024-25 Athlete of the Year … Parents are Karen and Brian … Brother is Jason, and played soccer for University of South Carolina Lancaster … Cousin, Eric Leonard '17 played for Butler University, then MLS side Chicago Fire … Cousin Julia Leonard '21 played for Butler University … Majoring in Business Management.
Why Colella Chose Manhattan: "Due to the competitive soccer environment while also having great academics and student life."
Doug Bozman – Forward – Princess Anne, MD/Parkside
Prior to College: Attended Parkside High School … Club for Baltimore Armor … 4x Varsity Boys' Soccer … Helped team reach State Finals … Parents are Danielle and Mark … Sisters are Paige and Brooke … Majoring in Business.
Why Bozman Chose Manhattan: "For soccer and business school."
Gavrilo Civric – Forward – Belgrade, Serbia/Sesta Beogradska Gimnazija/Seattle Univ.
2025 at Seattle University (Sophomore): Appeared in seven games … Started in three … Logged one goal vs. Pacific (Oct. 4) … Assisted on two goals vs. Pacific (Oct. 4) and Oregon State (Oct. 25) … Recorded six shots with two on target … Posted 300 minutes on the pitch.
2024 at Creighton (Freshman): Appeared in 15 games … Started in two at Omaha (Oct. 9) and Xavier (Oct. 12) … Recorded three goals (2 in victory vs. Drake (1 on PK – Aug. 25)) vs. San Francisco (Sept. 1) … Assisted on five goals v. Providence (Sept. 28), at Omaha (Oct.9), 3 v. Butler (Oct. 26) … Logged 15 shots with nine on target … Totaled 488 minutes on the pitch.
Prior to College: A graduate of Šesta beogradska gimnazija, Civric played club soccer for FK Sindelic ... The leading scorer for Barcelona SC in 2018 and 2019, he guided his squad to a district championship in 2019 ... Off the pitch Fefo earned the Silver Medal and a Mention of Honor in the Math State Olympics … The son of Olivera and Zdravko Civric, Gavrilo has two siblings: Kasija and Simeon ... He is planning to major in business.
Why Civric Chose Manhattan: "The support and trust I have been given by the coaching staff."
Tanay Medam – Goalkeeper – San Jose, CA/ASU Prep/UMass Lowell
2025 at UMass Lowell (Freshman): Did not play.
Prior to College: Played Varsity Soccer at ASU Prep … Won USL Academy and MLS Next Flex his senior year … Was invited to and played in the Alianza All-Star Game his junior season … Recommended to the USA National Team and was called up to the San Jose Earthquakes as a sophomore … Named his high school's starting varsity goalie his freshman year … Son of Murali and Sumana … Has one sibling (Arush) … Names video games, hiking, trying new food, and hanging out with friends and family as some of his favorite hobbies … Says his favorite TV show is Love Island … Names FC Barcelona as his favorite professional team and Messi as his favorite sports figure … His greatest sports moment was making a last-minute save to keep a clean sheet and win with USL Academy in front of a thousand-person crowd.
Kyle Quist – Defender – Fort Lauderdale, FL/IMG Academy
Prior to College: Attended IMG Academy … Played Varsity Boys' Soccer … Mother is Natasha … Majoring in Business.
Why Quist Chose Manhattan: "The opportunity to play Division I soccer and ultimately to pursue my goals in life."
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