Xavier men’s soccer team finalizes 2024 signing class with 4 additions, bringing total to 10

CINCINNATI – Xavier head men’s soccer coach John Higgins announced the addition of four more players to the 2024 roster, bringing the team’s incoming class to 10 total signees.

Higgins announced Xaiver’s first three signings on Nov. 14 and another trio of signings on Nov. 29. He now rounds out the recruiting class with following four additional newcomers:

Jai Dindiyal, 6-0, D, Mooresville, Ind. (Mooresville HS)
Aron Snaer Gudbjornsson, 6-2, D, Reykjavík, Iceland (Menntaskólinn við Sund)
Ishmael Mensah, MF, Fr., Cape Coast, Ghana (Andrews Osborne Academy)
Austin Nowak, 6-3, GK, Cincinnati, Ohio (Archbishop Moeller HS)

JAI DINDIYAL

NOTABLES: Was a three-year letterwinner in soccer… also competed in track and field… recorded 25 goals and 10 assists at Mooresville HS… was a two-time Mid-State Conference All-Conference selection in both soccer and track… played for the Komets-River Plate Club Team from 2020-22… played for the Indy Eleven Pro Academy – MLS Next Team from 2022-24… helped his team to a USL Academy Champions Title in 2023.

COAH HIGGINS ON DINDIYAL: “Jai comes to us from Indy and plays for Indy Eleven academy. We have had tons of success from players from this club over the years and we are excited to add Jai to that group. He can play anywhere in the back 4 or midfield 3 for us and his athleticism and versatility will really help us in the fall.”

ISHMAEL MENSAH

NOTABLES: Played for the Rising Stars of Africa… helped his team win a tournament title at the Benin Games in 2018… was also on the championship team of the Togo Games in 2019… was a member of the Ghana National Team… scored 17 goals in his final season with the Rising Stars… played at the South Kent School in 2022-23, leading the squad to the New England Soccer Championships… played his final high school season at Andrew Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio… was a captain of the team at Andrew Osborne Academy, leading the team to the school’s first state championship… scored 17 goals and recorded 35 assists.

COAH HIGGINS ON MENSAH: “Ishmael is currently in High School in the US but is originally from Africa. He came on our radar while trialing at Columbus Crew and we are delighted that he chose to play in college. He can play in the middle of the park for us and will help us keep possession and dominate the ball.”

AUSTIN NOWAK

NOTABLES: Was a three-year varsity letterwinner in soccer… earned All-GCL Second-Team Honors in 2023… helped Archbishop Moeller to a 24-1 record in 2023… led Archbishop Moeller to a OHSAA State Runner-Up finish in 2023… played for the Kings Hammer Soccer Club.

COAH HIGGINS ON NOWAK: “Austin is coming off an unbelievable High School season and is one of the top keeper prospects around. He will come in and develop under Alex and will be one of a group of keepers who will be looking to take over from Jonny when he graduates.”

ARON GUDBJORNSSON

NOTABLES: Played soccer with the Fylkir Soccer Club… participated in the 2017 Talent Development Program of Football Association Iceland… participated in the 2018 Nordic Capital A school games in Denmark… participated in the U16 and U17 Iceland National Team training camps… led the Fylkir Soccer Club U19 Team to the Iceland Cup Finals… selected as the Most Prmising Player in the 3rd Division by Astrdian…. brother, Axel, plays soccer at Duke.

OAH HIGGINS ON GUDBJORNSSON: “Aron is in Iceland right now and plays in the top league over there. We needed help at the center back position after Rasheed graduated and Aron will come in and play in that position. He has a great combination of athleticism and technical ability and will offer help us build from the back.”