College of Charleston men’s soccer adds 10 newcomers to 2022 roster

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston men’s soccer program added 10 newcomers to its roster for the 2022 season, head coach Keith Wiggans announced.

The 10 additions are: Zakaria Amro, Iker Carew, Christopher Elliott, Eskil Insteboe, Etienne Julien, Oliver Marshall, Grayson Mendelsohn, Shea Scally, Jourdan Schumacher (Coastal Carolina) and Ezra White.

“I am very excited to have this group join our program this fall,” Wiggans said. “As a staff, we have worked hard to find players that fit our values on and off the field. They will make an immediate impact and with the strong returning players, I am looking forward to seeing us perform and compete for a CAA Championship.”

See below for a look at each of the signees:

Zakaria Amro | Defender | Soelvesberg, Sweden

Played for the Club’s U19 and U21 teams in Allsvenskan, the highest level for the age group … Made his first team debut in 2021 … Part of the Jordanian U20 National Team in 2022.

Wiggans on Amro: “Zak is a big, strong talented center back. His strong defensive abilities and his comfort on the ball will strengthen our defense while also helping us in our possession.”

Iker Carew | Forward | Skien, Norway

Participated in the Norwegian U16 National Team and U17 Ecuadorian National Team camps … Invited to be part of Lazio and Sheffield United U19 teams … Played more than 30 matches in pro divisions in Norway … Scored 27 goals in three club seasons including 18 in his first season.

Wiggans on Carew: “Iker is a talented winger who has great one-vs-one ability. He will create opportunities for his teammates while also creating his own. He will immediately strengthen our attack.”

Christopher Elliott | Forward | London, England

Scored double-digit goals in both his junior and senior seasons at Glyn School … Finished his senior season with 17 goals and nine assists … Potted two goals and added an assist in the 2016 Borough quarterfinal round.

Wiggans on Elliott: “Chris is a talented forward who holds up the ball well, can run in behind and has skill to score goals in many different ways.  His experience will help him adjust quickly and be a great addition to our attack.”

Eskil Insteboe | Midfielder | Bergen, Norway

Comes to Charleston via Bergen, Norway and the Tertnes Videregaende School … Played for Lysekloster in the Norwegian Second Division … Also played ice hockey for five years.

Wiggans on Insteboe: “Eskil is a talented defensive midfielder who has a passion for defending. He will help solidify our defensive shape but also help us transition into our attack.”

Etienne Julien | Midfielder | New Orleans, La.

Three-time state champion and named to the Southern Regional Premier League Best 11 … ODP Region III Player in 2017 … Spent four seasons with the Baton Rouge Soccer Club.

Wiggans on Julien: “Etienne is very versatile and will help our attack. He can play anywhere in the front three or as an attacking center mid. His physicality will help him adjust to the college game very quickly.”

Oliver Marshall | Goalkeeper | Newcastle, England

Part of a National Cup Championship team in 2019 … Made a key save in a penalty kick shootout against Stoke City in December 2020 to secure a 3-2 win … Spent four years in Newcastle FC’s academy.

Wiggans on Marshall: “Oliver is a goalkeeper with a lot of experience at a high level.  He is good shot stopper, handles crosses well and is comfortable with his feet. He will look to compete for minutes right away.”

Grayson Mendelsohn | Midfielder | Clover, S.C.

Played 11 seasons for Charlotte Independence SC at the club level … Member of the All-ECNL while playing for Charlotte Independence … Tallied an assist in a 4-3 win at AC Connecticut.

Wiggans on Mendelsohn: “Grayson is an outside midfielder who brings a lot of energy to the game. He combines well and is a great team player.”

Shea Scally | Midfielder | Glasgow, Scotland

Youngest player in Scotland to play in the professional U20 Premier League at 15 (2017-18) … Part of four league championship teams (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) … Five-time League Cup winner … Tallied three assists in the British Cup Final and was the U20 Man of the Match at Kilmarnock aged 15.

Wiggans on Scally: “Shea’s experience will strengthen our midfield in and out of possession. He is very talented on the ball and has great leadership skills.”

Jourdan Schumacher | Goalkeeper | New Orleans, La.

Transfer from Coastal Carolina … 2021 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year … Led Lusher Charter School to a 22-1-2 record and a state championship in 2021 … Two-time all-district performer … Kept 26 clean sheets over his final two high school seasons.

Wiggans on Schumacher: “Jordan is a goalkeeper with good size and great range in his stopping ability. He will definitely help strengthen our goalkeeping core.”

Ezra White | Midfielder | Central, S.C.

Helped lead D.W. Daniel High School to a 2022 state championship after a runner-up finish in 2021 … Two-time All-State and three-time All-Region selection … Named Region Player of the Year … Totaled 41 goals and 52 assists in his final two seasons in high school.

Wiggans on White: “He is a central midfielder who is destructive out of position but also can distribute very well in possession. He will help in our midfield rotation.”

The group of 10 newcomers joins transfers Chris Matlashewski and Damon Williams, who joined the team in January.