Akron Men's Soccer Unveils 2024 Newcomer Class

August 09 | Men's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer squad under the leadership of 12th-year head coach Jared Embick, has announced a talented 15-member newcomer class that will hit the pitch for the Zips during the 2024 campaign.

Donning the Akron uniform this fall will be Connor Filsinger (Frankfurt, Germany), Simon Guardiero (Guelph, Ontario), Victor Gaulmin (Guipavas, France), Kamden Held (Naperville, Ill.), Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England), Brett Kaminski (Cooper City, Fla.), Lincoln McCarty (Cave Creek, Ariz.), Aaron Meono (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Thomas O'Rourke (East Patchogue, N.Y.) and Jack Roman (Canfield, Ohio).

The duo is part of Akron's 2024 signing class joining five members in Maximus Barboto (Wayne, N.J.), Joshua Bartels (Stafford, Va.), Nicholas Beier (Dietzenbach, Germany), James Buebendorf (O'Fallon, Mo.) and Roberto Ydrach (Orlando, Fla.) that signed with the Zips prior to the spring semester.

"I am excited about this group," said Embick. "In a year where we lost a lot of experience, we needed to bring in a top class. We brought in players with great technique, players that can play with pace and power and we have a great balance to the class. Some older experienced players and freshman with big time potential. We're really excited about the impact this group will make and I can't wait to help this group reach its potential. Going to be a great season for the Zips!"

A native of Frankfurt, Germany, Filsinger, a midfielder comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with FC Giessen. Additionally, he garnered time with RW Frankfurt U19 and Darmstadt U17 squads and for the Philippines Youth National team.

A native of Guelph, Ontario, Guardiero, a defender arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Sigma FC as well as with the Canadian National U17 squad.

A native of Guipavas, Gaulmin, a midfielder comes to Akron after a decorated three-year career at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., where he helped lead the Oles to the NCAA Division III national title a season ago. A three-time All-American, he was part of the best three-year stretch in program history. He also captured United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region IX honors and All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) honors three times, while also being the 2023 MIAC Offensive Player of the Year and the 2021 MIAC Midfielder of the Year. Gaulmin concluded his career second in program history in points (95), second in goals (36), tied for fourth in assists (23), fifth in shots (192), fifth in games started by a field player (69), and ninth in shots on goal (78). His 95 points and 36 goals were just one shy of the all-time program records.

A native of Naperville, Ill., Held, a midfielder arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Chicago Fire Academy and the squad's MLS Next team. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he is rated as No. 182 on the IMG Academy 200, while also ranking No. 10 in the Midwest Region and 64th nationally among midfielders.

A native of Cooper City, Fla., Kaminski, a goalkeeper comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Inter Miami CF. He is rated as a three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com.

A native of Bolton, England, Jaaskelainen, a forward arrives at Akron following a distinguished career at Long Island where he was a four-time All-NEC selection, three-time All-Region honoree and a two-time NEC Player of the Year. He garnered United Soccer Coaches All-Region accolades for the third consecutive campaign a season ago and was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List en route to being invited to the adidas MLS College Showcase. As a freshman, he was selected as the NEC Rookie of the Year. He capped his career at Long Island registering 43 goals, 14 assists, 100 points and 15 game-winners on the strength of 275 shots, including 129 on net.

A native of Cave Creek, Ariz., McCarty, a goalkeeper comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Phoenix Rising FC. He is ranked as three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com.

A native of Redondo Beach, Calif., Meono, a goalkeeper arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Los Angeles FC and the squad's MLS Next team. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he is rated as the No. 33 player in the Southern California Region.

A native of Patchogue, N.Y., O'Rourke, a midfielder comes to Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with FC Cincinnati and NYCFC Academy. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he is ranked as the No. 9 player in the Great Lakes Region.

A native of Canfield, Ohio, Roman, a midfielder arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Cleveland Force SC. A three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, he is rated as the No. 24 player in the Great Lakes Region.

2024 Akron Men's Soccer Signing Class
Maximus Barboto, midfielder, Wayne, N.J. (Wayne Valley/NJIT)
Joshua Bartels, midfielder, Stafford, Va. (New Albany (Ohio))
Nicholas Beier, midfielder, Dietzenbach, Germany (Adolf Reichwein Gymnasium)
James Buebendorf, defender, O'Fallon, Mo. (Laurel Springs)
Connor Filsinger, midfielder, Frankfurt, Germany
Simon Guardiero, defender, Guelph, Ontario (Bishop Macdonnell)
Victor Gaulmin, midfielder, Guipavas, France (University of Western Brittany/Saint-Olaf College)
Kamden Held, midfielder, Naperville, Ill. (Naperville Central)
Emil Jaaskelainen, forward, Bolton, England (Bolton School/Long Island)
Brett Kaminski, goalkeeper, Cooper City, Fla. (Broward Virtual School)
Lincoln McCarty, goalkeeper, Cave Creek, Ariz. (Cactus Shadows)
Aaron Meono, goalkeeper, Redondo Beach, Calif. (Palos Verdes)
Thomas O'Rourke, midfielder, East Patchogue, N.Y. (Bellport)
Jack Roman, midfielder, Canfield, Ohio (Canfield)
Roberto Ydrach, midfielder/defender, Orlando, Fla. (Olympia/UCF)