IUPUI men’s soccer signs five additional class of 2023 recruits

INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI men’s soccer program announced its second wave of newcomers for the upcoming 2023 season as head coach Sid van Druenen announced the additions of five true freshmen to his incoming class. The Jaguars are up to 12 newcomers for next season with 10 true freshmen and two midyear transfers.

The Jaguars finished the 2022 season at 7-7-6 and scored 31 goals in 20 games, marking the program’s most in the Division I era.

“This next crop of recruits all come to us from high youth levels from either abroad or MLS Next academies,” van Druenen said of the group. “I am excited to see their immediate impact as they all are competitors used to playing against the best.”

Baela Brucker (Albuquerque, N.M. / Albuquerque)
5-foot-10 // Defender

-Two-year varsity letterwinner at Albuquerque (N.M.) High School
-Helped his team to a state runner-up finish his sophomore season
-Four-year honor roll member
-Played for NM United Academy in the USL and also trained with the New Mexico ODP

van Druenen on Brucker: “Baela is a hard working left back with a good soccer brain that loves to be involved in both the build, as well as joining the attack.”

Patrick Curry (Orland Park, Ill. / Carl Sandburg)
6-foot-0 // Defender

-Played for Chicago Fire Academy, serving as team captain
-Selected to the MLS Next All Star Game at the 2021 Summer Showcase
-Voted ‘Man of the Year’ in 2019 by the coaching staff and Chicago Fire players
-Invited to multiple US National Team ID events
-Academically is an Illinois State Scholar

van Druenen on Curry: “Patrick is a leader and good all around footballer. He is a versatile and aggressive defender that will give us depth in our back line.”

Noah Kummrow (Oconomowoc, Wisc. / Oconomowoc)
5-foot-11 // Defender

-Four-year letterwinner at Oconomowoc (Wisc.) High School
-Two-time All-Classic 8 Conference honoree and two-time honorable mention pick
-Four-time Scholar Athlete Award recipient
-Played for FC Wisconsin as well

van Druenen on Kummrow: “Noah combines good soccer ability with pace and athleticism – all important attributes for an outside back in our system.”

Giovanni Leon (Indianapolis, Ind. / Cathedral)
6-foot // Defender

-Played and trained with the Indy Fire Academy
-Played for the Indy Eleven during the USL Academy Playoffs
-Previously played for USAI

van Druenen on Leon: “Gio is one of the top local prospects and we are excited to have him. He’s a strong and physical defender with good pace and technical ability.”

Jago Thompson-Roberts (Frome, England / Beechen Cliff School)
6-foot-2 // Defender

-Came through the Southampton Academy before carrying out a youth scholarship at Forest Green Rovers
-Later played for Thornbury in the Hellenic League before signing with Frome Town FC
-Was a five-time 1st Team Football captain and two-time Player of the Season
-Earned the Donald Stephens Memorial Prize

van Druenen on Thompson-Roberts: “Jago comes to us from England with a high level youth background at Southampton and Forest Green Rovers. I expect him to come in, raise the level and lead our back line immediately.”