Upcoming Event: Men's Soccer versus Cape Fear Community College (Exhibition) on August 7, 2026 at 6 p.m.
MSOC
6 p.m.
James Madison
vs Cape Fear Community College (Exhibition)
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Dukes Announce Recruiting Class
6/10/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison men's soccer announced its recruiting class heading into the 2026 season on Wednesday morning, consisting of 11 transfers and four freshmen.
The class consists of seven midfielders, five defenders, two goalkeepers and one forward.
"We will enter this fall with 15 new players on our roster compared to last season," Head Coach Paul Zazenski said. "Of those 15 newcomers, nine arrived at JMU in January and have already completed a semester competing in a JMU uniform. We wanted the majority of our new players to experience JMU before arriving in the fall, and that has certainly been a positive. We are confident that the remaining seven additions will adjust quickly when we report in August."
Daniel Bunk
Hometown/Previous School: Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany/Fortuna Düsseldorf/Clemson
Height/Weight: 5-7/165 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Sophomore
Accomplishments: Played for Clemson in freshman year, logging 10 matches played… Played for the German national U15-U19 teams.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Daniel hit the ground running this past spring. He is a technical midfielder with excellent passing range, covers a lot of ground, and reads the game at a high level. Daniel represented the German U19 National Team and has competed in high-level matches across the world. We hope to utilize his background to increase our midfield productivity. We believe Daniel has a bright future in a JMU uniform and are excited to see him perform this fall."
Carlos Cámara Tur
Hometown/Previous School: Puerto de Sagunto, Valencia, Spain/CIPFP la laboral/Iowa Western CC
Height/Weight: 5-8/165 lbs
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Played the past two seasons at Iowa Western Community College, played in 36 matches with 26 starts and scoring 21 goals with seven assists… Won a NJCAA national title with Iowa Western in 2024, scoring three goals during the tournament including one in the title game… Led the team in goals (19) and points (43) in 202.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Carlos can score goals in a variety of ways. During his freshman season at Iowa Western, he scored 19 goals and helped lead his team to a JUCO National Championship. His movement and pressing ability really stood out to us this spring, and we are confident he will help lead the charge on both sides of the ball this fall."
Pieter Hengeveld
Hometown/Previous School: Weert, Netherlands/College Den Hulster/Fort Hays State/Caldwell
Height/Weight: 6-4/195 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Spent time at Fort Hays State and Caldwell, playing in a total of 26 matches with 18 starts and logging two assists… Played 10 years for the VVV Venlo academy in Netherlands.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Pieter possesses impressive physical stature at nearly 6-foot-5 but plays with composure, intelligence, and finesse. He spent multiple seasons competing at the Division II level and was teammates with Håkon Rake at Caldwell University. Pieter was an outstanding addition this spring, proving himself to be a reliable center back. We love his ability to connect play and break lines with his passing while remaining a steady and patient defender. We hope to utilize his professional mindset and collegiate experience in both training and match-day environments as we head into the fall season."
Ashton Khory
Hometown/Previous School: Beamsville, Ontario, Canada/Northwood School (N.Y.)
Height/Weight: 6-1/170 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Freshman
Accomplishments: Tallied 65 goals and 90 assists during four-year prep career… Earned Second Team All-American honors in senior year from High School on SI… Registered the most assists on the team his junior and senior campaigns… Won SOSSA and Zone championships in his sophomore season.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Ashton is a highly sought-after recruit arriving as a true freshman from one of the top prep schools in the country, Northwood School. At Northwood, Ashton was dangerous every time he touched the ball, leading the team in assists and scoring numerous goals from the attacking midfield position. We love that Ashton always wants to get on the ball and has the technical ability and tactical understanding to be effective in the final third. We are looking forward to seeing how his game translates to the Division I level."
Leon Kondic
Hometown/Previous School: Jesenice, Slovenia/Gimnazija Franceta Prešerna/Louisville
Height/Weight: 6-5/165 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Spent past two seasons at Louisville, played in 33 matches and recording three goals and eight assists… Named to ACC All-Academic Team after the 2025 season… Played for Nk Triglav Kranj in the Druga Liga (second tier in Slovenia).
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Leon is a high-level transfer from Louisville who has been productive in major matches throughout his two-year collegiate career. He excels with the ball at his feet in both passing and goal-scoring situations and has shown the ability to maintain possession at a high level. Leon is a patient player who understands and manages the tempo of the game exceptionally well. He has the quality to make an impact in multiple ways this fall."
Drew Mattingly
Hometown/Previous School: Baltimore, Md./Loyola Blakefield/Penn State
Height/Weight: 6-2/185 lbs
Position: Goalkeeper
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Accomplishments: Spent the 2025 season at Penn State… Anchored back-to-back MIAA Championship titles in 2023 and 2024 at Loyola Blakefield… Logged a prep career GAA of 0.69 with 18 clean sheets in 38 matches played… Played club with Baltimore Armour.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Drew is a shot-stopping goalkeeper with tremendous upside. He has an imposing frame and reaches balls that many others cannot. We are confident that his work ethic and daily approach to the position will make him a candidate to be between the posts for years to come. Drew will have four years of eligibility remaining at JMU, and we are very excited about his potential."
Chris Niblock
Hometown/Previous School: Sydney, Australia/George C. Marshall (Va.)/High Point
Height/Weight: 5-9/155 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Played the past two seasons at High Point, tallying 33 matches played and four goals with five assists… Part of the 2025 Big South title team… Played club with Bethesda SC.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Chris had a very strong two-year stint at High Point University, helping his team reach the Sweet 16 during the 2025 season. In his sophomore campaign, Chris scored four goals and added five assists in key moments. This past spring, he demonstrated his ability to consistently beat defenders in wide areas while producing goals and assists at a high rate. We are confident Chris will continue to be a player who demands attention this fall."
Ikenna Nnawuchi
Hometown/Previous School: Silver Spring, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel
Height/Weight: 6-1/165 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Freshman
Accomplishments: Played club for Bethesda SC.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Ikenna is an athletic left back who competed at a high level with Bethesda's MLS NEXT teams for several seasons. He can get forward with ease and has the athleticism to consistently shut down attackers in wide areas. Ikenna has a very high ceiling, and we believe he is an excellent fit for our program both as a player and as a person."
Håkon Rake
Hometown/Previous School: Bærum, Norway/Dønski Videregående Skole/Caldwell
Height/Weight: 6-4/205 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Spent the last two seasons at Caldwell in Division II… Played in 29 matches with 25 starts and recorded 12 goals and four assists… Named to the All-CACC First Team and All-CACC Academic Team in 2025.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Håkon was a First Team All-Conference Division II player at Caldwell University in New Jersey. During his sophomore season, he scored nine goals while playing both midfield and forward. Håkon did an excellent job integrating into the team this spring, both on and off the field. We love his versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Despite his size, Håkon is exceptionally fit, and we expect him to be a dangerous presence in and around the box all season long."
Dylan Randazzo
Hometown/Previous School: Goshen, N.Y./Goshen Central
Height/Weight: 5-10/155 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Freshman
Accomplishments: Won the "Who Dares Wins" Pillar Award for The Columbus Crew and started in nine games in MLS NEXT Pro during senior year… His junior year saw him make his professional debut for Columbus Crew 2 and was a captain for the academy's U19 team… Played with NYSC and captained the U16 team… Made the "Best of Team" in MLS NEXT Cup in sophomore year.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Dylan will arrive as a freshman but already brings significant high-level experience, having competed in MLS NEXT Pro with NYCFC II and Columbus Crew 2. He is an explosive outside defender who can play on either side and loves to get forward. Dylan fits the mold of the attack-minded outside backs we like to recruit at JMU. He has faced a level of competition that few players encounter at such a young age. Dylan is a highly professional-minded player who will add immediate quality and depth to our defensive unit."
Daniel Reiter
Hometown/Previous School: Manhattan, N.Y./Royi Kariv (Israel)/Coastal Carolina
Height/Weight: 6-0/170 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Senior
Accomplishments: Played the past two seasons at Coastal Carolina, tallying 26 matches played and 13 starts… Won the 2015 league championship with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC… Captained Hapoel Herzliya FC and led the team to two league titles in 2017 and 2018.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Daniel is a do-it-all box-to-box midfielder with an endless engine. We love the fact that he has already competed in the Sun Belt Conference and started a significant number of matches at Coastal Carolina. We will look to utilize his experience and workmanlike approach to strengthen our group this fall. Daniel appears to be an excellent cultural fit and has the potential to be a leader both on and off the field."
Jack Root
Hometown/Previous School: Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East/Concord/Binghamton
Height/Weight: 6-3/185 lbs
Position: Goalkeeper
Class: Graduate
Accomplishments: Spent the past three seasons at Binghamton, playing in 15 matches and logging 1,425 minutes between the posts… Spent his freshman year at Concord, playing in two matches for 120 minutes… Was a three-year letterwinner at Williamsville East… Named All-Western New York in 2020 and 2021… Set the career record for shutouts in Western New York among large schools (37).
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Jack is a brave and energetic goalkeeper with extensive collegiate experience. He is constantly communicating and is willing to put his body on the line for the good of the team. This past spring, Jack demonstrated his competitive nature and his ability to push the group to new heights. We are confident that his energy and intensity will be contagious this fall."
Christer Salvesen
Hometown/Previous School: Sandnes, Norway/Sandnes Videregående Skole/Longwood
Height/Weight: 6-4/180 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Sophomore
Accomplishments: Played in and started 13 matches during freshman campaign at Longwood, registering two goals and one assist… Played for Sandnes Ilf from 2023-25 (second divison club in Norway).
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "We expect Christer to be a mainstay in our midfield for years to come. He possesses the rare combination of being 6-foot-4 while also being highly possession-oriented. He is calm on the ball and consistently makes intelligent decisions. Christer can dominate aerially on both sides of the ball, which will be important in the Sun Belt Conference. As he continues to develop physically, we believe Christer can be one of the best midfielders at the Division I level."
Sebastien Six
Hometown/Previous School: Antwerp, Belgium/Fairgreen International School (Dubai)
Height/Weight: 6-3/180 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Freshman
Accomplishments: Tallied 13 goals and 19 assists during prep career… Played with U21 Al Jazira in Abu Dhabi… Was part of a league-winning team twice.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Sebastien is a 6-foot-3 defender who joins us with playing experience in multiple countries around the world. Although he will be a true freshman, he has already spent several years competing against older players. He can play anywhere across the back line and could even fill in as a holding midfielder if needed. We see tremendous upside in Sebastien as he continues to develop in the United States."
Ole Smaaskjaer
Hometown/Previous School: Hamar, Norway/Wang Toppidrett/Presbyterian
Height/Weight: 6-1, 180 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Sophomore
Accomplishments: Played freshman season at Presbyterian, where he played in 18 matches with 10 starts and recorded two assists.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Ole is an attack-minded left back who has played just one collegiate season. He has a strong physical build and will continue to improve over time. He is confident and comfortable on the ball and can deliver accurate service from wide positions. Ole is a well-rounded player with a positive demeanor, and we are very happy to have him represent JMU."
The new members of the program will take the field for the first time in the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 20 against Rider as part of the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational.
The class consists of seven midfielders, five defenders, two goalkeepers and one forward.
"We will enter this fall with 15 new players on our roster compared to last season," Head Coach Paul Zazenski said. "Of those 15 newcomers, nine arrived at JMU in January and have already completed a semester competing in a JMU uniform. We wanted the majority of our new players to experience JMU before arriving in the fall, and that has certainly been a positive. We are confident that the remaining seven additions will adjust quickly when we report in August."
Daniel Bunk
Hometown/Previous School: Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany/Fortuna Düsseldorf/Clemson
Height/Weight: 5-7/165 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Sophomore
Accomplishments: Played for Clemson in freshman year, logging 10 matches played… Played for the German national U15-U19 teams.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Daniel hit the ground running this past spring. He is a technical midfielder with excellent passing range, covers a lot of ground, and reads the game at a high level. Daniel represented the German U19 National Team and has competed in high-level matches across the world. We hope to utilize his background to increase our midfield productivity. We believe Daniel has a bright future in a JMU uniform and are excited to see him perform this fall."
Carlos Cámara Tur
Hometown/Previous School: Puerto de Sagunto, Valencia, Spain/CIPFP la laboral/Iowa Western CC
Height/Weight: 5-8/165 lbs
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Played the past two seasons at Iowa Western Community College, played in 36 matches with 26 starts and scoring 21 goals with seven assists… Won a NJCAA national title with Iowa Western in 2024, scoring three goals during the tournament including one in the title game… Led the team in goals (19) and points (43) in 202.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Carlos can score goals in a variety of ways. During his freshman season at Iowa Western, he scored 19 goals and helped lead his team to a JUCO National Championship. His movement and pressing ability really stood out to us this spring, and we are confident he will help lead the charge on both sides of the ball this fall."
Pieter Hengeveld
Hometown/Previous School: Weert, Netherlands/College Den Hulster/Fort Hays State/Caldwell
Height/Weight: 6-4/195 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Spent time at Fort Hays State and Caldwell, playing in a total of 26 matches with 18 starts and logging two assists… Played 10 years for the VVV Venlo academy in Netherlands.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Pieter possesses impressive physical stature at nearly 6-foot-5 but plays with composure, intelligence, and finesse. He spent multiple seasons competing at the Division II level and was teammates with Håkon Rake at Caldwell University. Pieter was an outstanding addition this spring, proving himself to be a reliable center back. We love his ability to connect play and break lines with his passing while remaining a steady and patient defender. We hope to utilize his professional mindset and collegiate experience in both training and match-day environments as we head into the fall season."
Ashton Khory
Hometown/Previous School: Beamsville, Ontario, Canada/Northwood School (N.Y.)
Height/Weight: 6-1/170 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Freshman
Accomplishments: Tallied 65 goals and 90 assists during four-year prep career… Earned Second Team All-American honors in senior year from High School on SI… Registered the most assists on the team his junior and senior campaigns… Won SOSSA and Zone championships in his sophomore season.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Ashton is a highly sought-after recruit arriving as a true freshman from one of the top prep schools in the country, Northwood School. At Northwood, Ashton was dangerous every time he touched the ball, leading the team in assists and scoring numerous goals from the attacking midfield position. We love that Ashton always wants to get on the ball and has the technical ability and tactical understanding to be effective in the final third. We are looking forward to seeing how his game translates to the Division I level."
Leon Kondic
Hometown/Previous School: Jesenice, Slovenia/Gimnazija Franceta Prešerna/Louisville
Height/Weight: 6-5/165 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Spent past two seasons at Louisville, played in 33 matches and recording three goals and eight assists… Named to ACC All-Academic Team after the 2025 season… Played for Nk Triglav Kranj in the Druga Liga (second tier in Slovenia).
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Leon is a high-level transfer from Louisville who has been productive in major matches throughout his two-year collegiate career. He excels with the ball at his feet in both passing and goal-scoring situations and has shown the ability to maintain possession at a high level. Leon is a patient player who understands and manages the tempo of the game exceptionally well. He has the quality to make an impact in multiple ways this fall."
Drew Mattingly
Hometown/Previous School: Baltimore, Md./Loyola Blakefield/Penn State
Height/Weight: 6-2/185 lbs
Position: Goalkeeper
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Accomplishments: Spent the 2025 season at Penn State… Anchored back-to-back MIAA Championship titles in 2023 and 2024 at Loyola Blakefield… Logged a prep career GAA of 0.69 with 18 clean sheets in 38 matches played… Played club with Baltimore Armour.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Drew is a shot-stopping goalkeeper with tremendous upside. He has an imposing frame and reaches balls that many others cannot. We are confident that his work ethic and daily approach to the position will make him a candidate to be between the posts for years to come. Drew will have four years of eligibility remaining at JMU, and we are very excited about his potential."
Chris Niblock
Hometown/Previous School: Sydney, Australia/George C. Marshall (Va.)/High Point
Height/Weight: 5-9/155 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Played the past two seasons at High Point, tallying 33 matches played and four goals with five assists… Part of the 2025 Big South title team… Played club with Bethesda SC.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Chris had a very strong two-year stint at High Point University, helping his team reach the Sweet 16 during the 2025 season. In his sophomore campaign, Chris scored four goals and added five assists in key moments. This past spring, he demonstrated his ability to consistently beat defenders in wide areas while producing goals and assists at a high rate. We are confident Chris will continue to be a player who demands attention this fall."
Ikenna Nnawuchi
Hometown/Previous School: Silver Spring, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel
Height/Weight: 6-1/165 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Freshman
Accomplishments: Played club for Bethesda SC.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Ikenna is an athletic left back who competed at a high level with Bethesda's MLS NEXT teams for several seasons. He can get forward with ease and has the athleticism to consistently shut down attackers in wide areas. Ikenna has a very high ceiling, and we believe he is an excellent fit for our program both as a player and as a person."
Håkon Rake
Hometown/Previous School: Bærum, Norway/Dønski Videregående Skole/Caldwell
Height/Weight: 6-4/205 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Junior
Accomplishments: Spent the last two seasons at Caldwell in Division II… Played in 29 matches with 25 starts and recorded 12 goals and four assists… Named to the All-CACC First Team and All-CACC Academic Team in 2025.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Håkon was a First Team All-Conference Division II player at Caldwell University in New Jersey. During his sophomore season, he scored nine goals while playing both midfield and forward. Håkon did an excellent job integrating into the team this spring, both on and off the field. We love his versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Despite his size, Håkon is exceptionally fit, and we expect him to be a dangerous presence in and around the box all season long."
Dylan Randazzo
Hometown/Previous School: Goshen, N.Y./Goshen Central
Height/Weight: 5-10/155 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Freshman
Accomplishments: Won the "Who Dares Wins" Pillar Award for The Columbus Crew and started in nine games in MLS NEXT Pro during senior year… His junior year saw him make his professional debut for Columbus Crew 2 and was a captain for the academy's U19 team… Played with NYSC and captained the U16 team… Made the "Best of Team" in MLS NEXT Cup in sophomore year.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Dylan will arrive as a freshman but already brings significant high-level experience, having competed in MLS NEXT Pro with NYCFC II and Columbus Crew 2. He is an explosive outside defender who can play on either side and loves to get forward. Dylan fits the mold of the attack-minded outside backs we like to recruit at JMU. He has faced a level of competition that few players encounter at such a young age. Dylan is a highly professional-minded player who will add immediate quality and depth to our defensive unit."
Daniel Reiter
Hometown/Previous School: Manhattan, N.Y./Royi Kariv (Israel)/Coastal Carolina
Height/Weight: 6-0/170 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Senior
Accomplishments: Played the past two seasons at Coastal Carolina, tallying 26 matches played and 13 starts… Won the 2015 league championship with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC… Captained Hapoel Herzliya FC and led the team to two league titles in 2017 and 2018.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Daniel is a do-it-all box-to-box midfielder with an endless engine. We love the fact that he has already competed in the Sun Belt Conference and started a significant number of matches at Coastal Carolina. We will look to utilize his experience and workmanlike approach to strengthen our group this fall. Daniel appears to be an excellent cultural fit and has the potential to be a leader both on and off the field."
Jack Root
Hometown/Previous School: Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East/Concord/Binghamton
Height/Weight: 6-3/185 lbs
Position: Goalkeeper
Class: Graduate
Accomplishments: Spent the past three seasons at Binghamton, playing in 15 matches and logging 1,425 minutes between the posts… Spent his freshman year at Concord, playing in two matches for 120 minutes… Was a three-year letterwinner at Williamsville East… Named All-Western New York in 2020 and 2021… Set the career record for shutouts in Western New York among large schools (37).
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Jack is a brave and energetic goalkeeper with extensive collegiate experience. He is constantly communicating and is willing to put his body on the line for the good of the team. This past spring, Jack demonstrated his competitive nature and his ability to push the group to new heights. We are confident that his energy and intensity will be contagious this fall."
Christer Salvesen
Hometown/Previous School: Sandnes, Norway/Sandnes Videregående Skole/Longwood
Height/Weight: 6-4/180 lbs
Position: Midfield
Class: Sophomore
Accomplishments: Played in and started 13 matches during freshman campaign at Longwood, registering two goals and one assist… Played for Sandnes Ilf from 2023-25 (second divison club in Norway).
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "We expect Christer to be a mainstay in our midfield for years to come. He possesses the rare combination of being 6-foot-4 while also being highly possession-oriented. He is calm on the ball and consistently makes intelligent decisions. Christer can dominate aerially on both sides of the ball, which will be important in the Sun Belt Conference. As he continues to develop physically, we believe Christer can be one of the best midfielders at the Division I level."
Sebastien Six
Hometown/Previous School: Antwerp, Belgium/Fairgreen International School (Dubai)
Height/Weight: 6-3/180 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Freshman
Accomplishments: Tallied 13 goals and 19 assists during prep career… Played with U21 Al Jazira in Abu Dhabi… Was part of a league-winning team twice.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Sebastien is a 6-foot-3 defender who joins us with playing experience in multiple countries around the world. Although he will be a true freshman, he has already spent several years competing against older players. He can play anywhere across the back line and could even fill in as a holding midfielder if needed. We see tremendous upside in Sebastien as he continues to develop in the United States."
Ole Smaaskjaer
Hometown/Previous School: Hamar, Norway/Wang Toppidrett/Presbyterian
Height/Weight: 6-1, 180 lbs
Position: Defense
Class: Sophomore
Accomplishments: Played freshman season at Presbyterian, where he played in 18 matches with 10 starts and recorded two assists.
Coach Zazenski's Thoughts: "Ole is an attack-minded left back who has played just one collegiate season. He has a strong physical build and will continue to improve over time. He is confident and comfortable on the ball and can deliver accurate service from wide positions. Ole is a well-rounded player with a positive demeanor, and we are very happy to have him represent JMU."
The new members of the program will take the field for the first time in the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 20 against Rider as part of the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational.
Monday, June 03
Thursday, December 07
Thursday, December 07
Thursday, September 28
