Head Coach Dan Swier and the Northwestern College men's soccer program is pleased to announce six student-athletes who have added their names to the 2019 recruiting class.

Joining the Red Raiders for the 2019 season will be Matt Roll, Juan Mackrey, Elijah Bird, Gabe Borowicz, Raoul Promberger, and Gijs Dingemans.

"When you look at each player in this class individually from a character standpoint, we feel they will be great additions to our team culture," Assistant Coach Adam Potter said.  "We believe our program's culture academically, socially, and athletically is the first step to being an elite program.  We are replacing a very successful senior class and I am excited to see how each of these players will help us achieve a new standard of success."
 
Matt Roll | Midfielder | St. Louis Community College
Native of Norwich, England
Matt played one season at St. Louis Community College under Coach Tim Mosby.  He helped lead St. Louis to the national tournament, a #8 national ranking, and a 19-4 overall record.  Matt is also a NJCAA all-conference and all-region midfielder. Before attending college in the states, Matt played for Wroxham club in England.

Swier on Roll: "One key to controlling a match and having success against top teams is having a central defensive midfielder who can win the ball and keep the ball for his team.  We feel that Matt will have the capability to fulfill this role for us in 2019.  He is a very experienced player and student who we feel will transition seamlessly into our program."

     

Juan Mackrey| Forward | Georgia Military  
Native of Balcarce, Argentina.
Juan spent the last two seasons at Georgia Military Institute under Coach David Sexton.  Juan helped lead Georgia Military to a #1 national ranking during the 2018 season along with a berth to the national tournament, finishing the season with a 14-4-1 record.  During Juan's two seasons at Gerogia Military he compiled 24 goals and 7 assists as a forward.

Swier on Mackrey:  "We are graduating four seniors at the forward position.  Juan is a key component to replacing all of the experience that we will lose up top.  He is highly motivated both on the field and in the classroom and knows how to score.  We look forward to the contributions that he will make both in our program and on campus over the next two years."

  

Elijah Bird | Midfielder | Sioux Falls Christian
Native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Elijah has spent the last four years at Sioux Falls Christian High School, playing under Coach Kendall Velgersdyk.  He was a two-year captain, a two-time first team all-state honoree, and the Argus Leader Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2018.  Elijah helped lead Sioux Falls Christian to a 2^nd place finish in the state, finishing with a 10-3-2 record.  He scored 14 goals and had 8 assists as a senior midfielder.  Elijah played club with the historic Dakota Alliance Soccer Club.  Bird plans to study either Political Science or Criminal Justice at Northwestern.

Swier on Bird: "We have had our eye on Elijah for a couple of years.  He is one of those 'total package' student-athletes.  Solid player, great student, strong leader, Christ-follower and very confident in himself in all areas of life.  We are looking forward to the ways in which he will make an impact at Northwestern."

 

Gabe Borowicz | Midfielder | Fargo High School
Native of Fargo, North Dakota.
Gabe has spent the last four years at Fargo South High School, playing under Coach Amer Vatres.  As an outside back in 2018, he helped lead Fargo South to an 11-6-6 record and a 5^th place finish in the state.  Gabe plans to study Business at Northwestern.

Swier on Borowicz: "When Gabe came to visit last fall he knew instantly that this was the place for him.  We love it when our student-athletes feel this much clarity and confidence about their decision to attend Northwestern.  It is a sign that they recognize the unique brotherhood that our team culture creates.  We are excited for the ways in which Gabe will contribute to this culture over the next four years."

  

Raoul Promberger | Defender | Sk Strobl
Native of Ebensee, Austria.
For the past two years Raoul has helped his team to two league titles in the Landesliga.  He has been a key player to the success of his team on the back line, starting every match last season.  Raoul plans to study Sports Management while attending Northwestern College.

Swier on Promberger: "We are graduating two starters from our back line this spring.  We feel that Raoul has the background to come in and really bolster our back line in 2019.  He fits the mold for a college-ready center back, combining size with skill, tactical sense and a physical style of play.  Raoul is as excited to get here for the start of the 2019 season as we are to have him arrive!"

 

Gijs Dingemans | Midfielder  | Victoria
Native of Hillersum, Netherlands.
Gijs will be the first native Dutch player to play at Northwestern College.  This past season Gijs recorded 6 goals and 15 assists as a midfielder.  He has played in multiple international tournaments against youth academy teams from Ajax Amsterdam, AZ Alkmaar, FC Utrecht Stuttgart, Frankfurt, FC Köln, Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim, KV Mechelen and Oostende.  Gijs plans to study Business Administration while attending Northwestern.

Swier on Dingemans: "I have really enjoyed getting to know Gijs throughout the recruiting process.  He is a very bright and congenial young man and we know that he will make a tremendous contribution to our team culture during his time at Northwestern.  He separated himself from many of our other recruits due to his ability to complete key passes.  His strengths will complement our style of play nicely."