The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Men’s Soccer Welcomes Four Newcomers for 2023 Spring Campaign
February 16 | Men's Soccer
AKRON MEN'S SOCCER SPRING ROSTER
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer squad under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick, has announced a talented four-member newcomer class that will hit the pitch for the Zips during the 2023 spring campaign.
Donning the Akron uniform this spring will be Carter Cormier (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Jackson Herbert (Wadsworth, Ohio), Rui Reis (Lisbon, Portugal) and Alejandro Varela (A Coruna, Spain).
A native of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Cormier, a defender, gained valuable playing experience with Sockers FC.
Embick on Cormier – "Carter is a player we are excited about. He comes from the Sockers Soccer Club, which always has one of the best teams in the country. He is an old-school defender. We have to develop his possession game a bit, but we love his defending and competitiveness."
Herbert, a midfielder from Wadsworth, Ohio, was a four-year letterwinner at Wadsworth High School where he twice garnered All-State and All Great Lakes Regional accolades. Capped a decorated prep career registering 53 goals and 23 assists, including 14 goals and seven assists en route to earning First-Team All-State honors as a senior. First player in conference history to be selected as a First-Team All-League selection during each of his four campaigns.
Embick on Herbert – "We love Jackson's pace and athleticism. He has potential to develop into one of the most dangerous wide players in the country. He will need time to adapt to the pace of our game, but he is one that has potential to become a difference maker."
A native of Lisbon, Portugal, Reis, a midfielder after playing his freshman campaign at Keiser University, where he garnered All-America accolades on the strength of registering 14 goals and 10 assists a year ago. A First-Team All-Sun Conference honoree, he helped spark the Seahawks to the Sun Conference regular and postseason championships en route to being named as the league's Freshman of the Year. Gained valuable playing experience with Sporting Lisbon Academy
Embick on Reis – "Rui comes from Sporting Lisbon Academy in Portugal, the same club that Joao Moutinho played at before he came to Akron. Rui has great technical ability and is a savvy player. He will bring versatility to our attack. He can play anywhere in the front half and can create and score goals from any of those positions."
A native of A Coruna Spain, Varela, a midfielder comes to Akron after playing the last three seasons at Keiser University, where he appeared in 83 games, including 80 starts, and registered six goals and eight assists. He helped the Seahawks capture the 2021 NAIA national title on the strength of a trio of regular-season titles and a pair of conference tournament crowns. A two-time United Soccer Coaches All-America and All-Region honoree, he garnered First-Team All-Sun Conference accolades three times as well as being tabbed an all-tournament selection three times.
Embick on Varela – " Alejandro is a very balanced midfield he can help us in attack as a deep playmaker but has an engine to help us press and win the ball back. We love the energy and passion he plays with. He was captain of a NAIA championship team at Keiser and we look forward to him bring that mentality and leadership with him to Akron."
2023 Akron Men's Soccer Signing Class
Carter Cormier, defender, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Sockers FC)
Jackson Herbert, midfielder, Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth)
Rui Reis, midfielder, Lisbon, Portugal (Keiser University)
Alejandro Varela, midfielder, A Coruna, Spain (Keiser University)
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer squad under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick, has announced a talented four-member newcomer class that will hit the pitch for the Zips during the 2023 spring campaign.
Donning the Akron uniform this spring will be Carter Cormier (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Jackson Herbert (Wadsworth, Ohio), Rui Reis (Lisbon, Portugal) and Alejandro Varela (A Coruna, Spain).
A native of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Cormier, a defender, gained valuable playing experience with Sockers FC.
Embick on Cormier – "Carter is a player we are excited about. He comes from the Sockers Soccer Club, which always has one of the best teams in the country. He is an old-school defender. We have to develop his possession game a bit, but we love his defending and competitiveness."
Herbert, a midfielder from Wadsworth, Ohio, was a four-year letterwinner at Wadsworth High School where he twice garnered All-State and All Great Lakes Regional accolades. Capped a decorated prep career registering 53 goals and 23 assists, including 14 goals and seven assists en route to earning First-Team All-State honors as a senior. First player in conference history to be selected as a First-Team All-League selection during each of his four campaigns.
Embick on Herbert – "We love Jackson's pace and athleticism. He has potential to develop into one of the most dangerous wide players in the country. He will need time to adapt to the pace of our game, but he is one that has potential to become a difference maker."
A native of Lisbon, Portugal, Reis, a midfielder after playing his freshman campaign at Keiser University, where he garnered All-America accolades on the strength of registering 14 goals and 10 assists a year ago. A First-Team All-Sun Conference honoree, he helped spark the Seahawks to the Sun Conference regular and postseason championships en route to being named as the league's Freshman of the Year. Gained valuable playing experience with Sporting Lisbon Academy
Embick on Reis – "Rui comes from Sporting Lisbon Academy in Portugal, the same club that Joao Moutinho played at before he came to Akron. Rui has great technical ability and is a savvy player. He will bring versatility to our attack. He can play anywhere in the front half and can create and score goals from any of those positions."
A native of A Coruna Spain, Varela, a midfielder comes to Akron after playing the last three seasons at Keiser University, where he appeared in 83 games, including 80 starts, and registered six goals and eight assists. He helped the Seahawks capture the 2021 NAIA national title on the strength of a trio of regular-season titles and a pair of conference tournament crowns. A two-time United Soccer Coaches All-America and All-Region honoree, he garnered First-Team All-Sun Conference accolades three times as well as being tabbed an all-tournament selection three times.
Embick on Varela – " Alejandro is a very balanced midfield he can help us in attack as a deep playmaker but has an engine to help us press and win the ball back. We love the energy and passion he plays with. He was captain of a NAIA championship team at Keiser and we look forward to him bring that mentality and leadership with him to Akron."
2023 Akron Men's Soccer Signing Class
Carter Cormier, defender, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Sockers FC)
Jackson Herbert, midfielder, Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth)
Rui Reis, midfielder, Lisbon, Portugal (Keiser University)
Alejandro Varela, midfielder, A Coruna, Spain (Keiser University)
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Post-Game Comments at Vermont - 9/13/25
Sunday, September 14
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Western Michigan - 9/9/2025
Wednesday, September 10
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Cleveland State - 9/1/2025
Tuesday, September 02
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Post-Game Press Conference vs Northern Kentucky - 8/24/25
Monday, August 25
