Fordham men’s soccer adds three players during early signing period

Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham men’s soccer head coach Carlo Acquista announced the addition of three players to the men’s soccer program.

The Rams have added transfers Matthew Sloan (Hicksville, N.Y./Hicksville (American) and Nick Buchholz (New Hartford, N.Y./New Hartford Senior (Appalachian St.), who will be eligible to play this spring, with Tapiwanashe Shumba (Harrison, N.Y./Tenafly) as an incoming freshman signee for the 2021-22 academic year.

“We are delighted to welcome all three of these excellent student athletes to the Fordham family,” said Acquista. “Matt is a local product who brings a wealth of experience and leadership skills from his time at American University and Nick will increase the strength of competition within our goalkeeper department having spent time with App State as a freshman. Tapiwa will join next Fall and is part of a core group of talented youngsters from the Red Bull’s Academy who have been identified as exciting prospects for the future and is currently playing with their USL 2 team.”

Matthew Sloan

Sloan, a 6-1 defender from Hicksville, N.Y., is a graduate student transfer from American University with two seasons of eligibility remaining.  He appeared in 46 games at American over three seasons, starting 34.  He recorded one goal and one assist, both of which came in 2018, and was a three-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and Dean’s List member.  Prior to American, Sloan was a four-year standout and team captain at Hicksville High School.  He was a 2016 NSCAA High School All-American and a two-time winner of the Jim Steen Award as Nassau County Player of the Year (2015 & 2016).  He also was a multiple-time All-New York State, All-Nassau County, All-Long Island selection and won a US Youth Soccer ODP National Championship in 2016.  In the classroom, he was a member of the National, Spanish, and Social Studies Honor Societies.

Nick Buchholz

Buchholz, a 6-2 goalkeeper from New Hartford, N.Y., is a transfer from Appalachian St., who will have four years of eligibility after not seeing action as a freshman in 2019 with the Mountaineers.  A three-year letterwinner in soccer at New Hartford Senior High School, he posted his best season as a senior, allowing just six goals with a .943 save percentage, where he helped post a 12-3-1 mark en route to capturing the Tri-Valley League championship.  He earned the team’s Most Valuable Player award and All-Conference honors.  Buchholz also played club soccer at the Syracuse Development Academy and was a four-year Honors student.

Tapiwanashe Shumba

Shumba, a 5-7 midfielder from Tenafly, N.J., has been a part of the New York Red Bulls Academy since 2018, playing on their U16/17 and U18/19 teams.   He has started 20 of 21 games since the start of the 2018-19 season, recording one goal.  In addition to his time at the NYRB Academy, he attended Tenafly High School, where he was a part of their varsity soccer team for one season in 2018, earning First Team All-League honor.  In the classroom, Shumba earned multiple medals for the National Spanish Examination and received a Seal of Biliteracy after passing the French STAMP test.