NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion men’s soccer Head Coach Tennant McVea has announced the 2025 recruiting class, introducing 16 new players to Monarch Nation.
Out of the newcomers, five are incoming freshmen. For the incoming transfers, one is a sophomore, five are juniors, and three are graduate students. The recruiting class is ranked the 25th by Top Drawer Soccer.
“The staff are extremely excited about this group of young men, we attacked this recruiting class with a clear picture of what we needed in mind and have worked hard to bring some exciting and talented players to this program,” said ODU Head Coach Tennant McVea. “The real work begins when they arrive on campus, but they all possess the tools necessary to compete at this level.”
Alexander Aguilar – Freshman – GK
Manassas, Va. / DC United Academy / Arlington Soccer Association
Aguilar is a freshman keeper from Manassas, Virginia. Prior to joining DC United’s Academy, The 6’3′ keeper spent time with the Arlington Soccer Association.
“Aguilar came through the DC United academy system, he is a top goalkeeper who likes to work hard in training,” said McVea. “He has all the tools to be a high caliber college athlete, he will be joining an experienced goalkeeping group, and we look forward to see how he can push those around him.”
Otu Bisong – Freshman – Forward
Herndon, Va. / Herndon High School
Bisong is an incoming freshman forward from Herndon, Virginia. He played club soccer at the Virginia Development Academy. The 6’0’ forward has registered three international caps with the Philippines U20 team, scoring one goal in three appearances.
“Bisong is someone we’ve followed for many years, he is an exciting attacking prospect and was named the youth national player of the year,” said McVea. “A Philippines U23 national team player, he can operate in any of the front three positions. Bisong is a talented player, if he buys into the rigors of the college game he can have an immediate impact.”
Michael Dessalegn – Freshman – Midfielder
Herndon, Va. / Westfield High School / Arlington Soccer Association
Dessalegn is an incoming 5’11’ freshman midfielder from Herndon, Virginia. He played at Arlington Soccer Academy and at Westfield High School. While at Westfield he was named the Concorde District Player of the Year and was named to the Concorde District First Team.
“Dessalegn is a big and strong central midfield player who covers ground well,” said McVea. “A product of the Arlington teams in Northern Virginia he is a player with an extremely high ceiling. We are looking forward to seeing how much of an impact he can have this year and is a very good addition.”
Ethan Fisher – Junior – Defender
Federal Way, Wash. / Washington Connections Academy / Western Oregon
Fisher is transferring to ODU from Western Oregon. A 6 ‘4’ junior defender, Fisher started every game last season for the Wolves and scored a goal against Seattle Pacific in a 4-1 victory. He helped lead Western Oregon to a 14-5-1 record and to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
“A big and rangy center back. Fisher is a good defender who has the athleticism to compete at this level,” said McVea. “Bringing him here mid-year was excellent for his development and he is someone that will push for a starting spot this season.”
Kolby Godbolt – Graduate Student – Forward
North Liberty, Iowa / North Liberty High School / William Carey / Mid-America Christian / Iowa Central
Godbolt, a graduate student transferring to Old Dominion from William Carey. The 6’0’ forward scored 12 goals and dished two assists as a forward last season. He is a native of North Liberty, Iowa. Godbolt spent his junior season at Mid-America Christian scoring eight goals and making four assists in 21 games played. While at MACU he was named the SAC Newcomer of the Year, All-SAC First Team, NCCAA All-Central Region First Team. At Iowa Central Community College, he scored 10 goals and dished one assist over two seasons.
“Another decorated transfer from William Carey, Godbolt is an extremely versatile threat offensively,” said McVea. “Fast and strong, he is a direct player who scores goals. Predominantly operating down the left-hand side Godbolt will be an exciting player for the fans to watch.”
Mathias Krohnstad – Freshman – Midfielder
Lausanne, Switzerland / FC Amical Saint-Prex
Krohnstad is an incoming freshman midfielder from Lausanne, Switzerland. He is joining Old Dominion from FC Amical Saint-Prex in the fourth tier of the Swiss league. Last season he played in 26 games and scored three goals in the 2 Liga Interregional. He helped lead his side to the league title and secured promotion with 61 points over the closest competitor Martigny who finished with 59 points.
“Krohnstad is a naturally gifted midfielder who has a great passing range, is comfortable on the ball, and he reads the game well and can bring others into play,” said McVea. “Having played at a high level in Europe his experience will hopefully help him settle here quickly.”
Alex Kryazhev – Graduate Student – Forward
Falls Church, Va. / George Mason HS / Frederick Community College / Radford / Fairleigh Dickinson
Kryazhev is transferring to ODU as a graduate student from Fairleigh Dickinson. He is a 6’1’ forward, scoring seven goals and dished three assists in 19 games played last season with FDU. He finished the season as the second leading scorer with seven goals. He spent two seasons at Radford and started 25-of-32 total games scoring four goals and dishing two assists for 10 points. With Radford he was named the Big South Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Big South Honorable Mention All-Conference.
“We are happy to bring Kryazhev back to Virginia after a successful season in New Jersey with FDU,” said McVea. “He is a tenacious goalscoring threat. He is a unique player who can run the channel and play with his back to goal. Kryazhev is a lively character, and the fans will enjoy seeing his personality on the field.”
Jake Lane – Junior – Midfielder
Chicago, Ill. / ASU Preparatory Academy / Bowling Green
Lane is heading to Old Dominion as a transfer from Bowling Green, the incoming junior is native to Chicago, Illinois. Last season he was named to the MVC’s All-Tournament Team, the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team, and was the recipient of the MVC Elite 18 Award. He finished the season making five starts in 20 appearances. He scored one goal and dished six assists for eight points. Lane came off the bench as a substitute and registered a goal and an assist in a 2-3 loss to Evansville in the MVC Tournament.
“Lane is a transfer from Bowling Green where he was an All-Tournament selection in the MVC,” said McVea. “I loved his personality the moment I spoke to him. He has an insatiable drive to succeed. Lane is comfortable out wide on either flank and his engine makes him a problem to any opposition fullback.”
Jago Lott – Graduate Student – Midfielder
Somerset, England / Millfield School / Bristol City U16-U23 / UMBC
Lott is transferring to Old Dominion from UMBC, the incoming graduate student is originally from Somerset in the United Kingdom. The 5’8’ midfielder played in five games last season and dished an assist in the season opening match against Maryland. The UMBC Team Captain started all 16 games in 2022 and 2023. In that time, he scored one goal and made seven assists for nine points.
“Lott joined us this spring from UMBC, a smart, hardworking and crafty footballer, Jago brings a lot of college soccer experience to the group,” said McVea. “A leader on and off the field, he will be an immediate fan favorite due to his work ethic and commitment.”
Abdou Magib-So – Sophomore – Midfielder
Paris, France / Bourges Foot 18 B / Football Club 93 Bobigny
Magib-So is an incoming sophomore midfielder from Paris, France with Senegalese dual citizenship. He is coming to Old Dominion from Bourges Foot 18 B having played in the Championnat National 3 – Groupe C, the fifth tier of the French soccer league. He made 10 appearances in the National 3 – Group C and logged 372 minutes on the pitch.
“Magib-So is a powerful center midfielder who covers a lot of ground and is extremely comfortable in possession,” said McVea. “We are hopeful that he will settle quickly here in the US and hit the ground running.”
Alessandro Maldonado – Freshman – Midfielder
Woodbridge, Va. / D.C. United Academy / Istra 1961 U19 / Colorado Springs Switchbacks
Maldonado is an incoming freshman from Woodbridge, Va., he is a 5’8’ attacking midfielder with dual citizenship in Honduras and the United States. The incoming freshman began his career with the DC United Academy Team before transferring to Istra 1961 U19 in Croatia. After some time, he was transferred to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL before finding his way to Old Dominion. He debuted with the Honduras U17 team in 2022 and played three games in the U17 Concacaf Championship.
“Maldonado is another player we’ve been high on over the past few years, he is joining us after a spell in Colorado with the USL Championship Colorado Springs Switchbacks,” said McVea. “A dynamic and exciting attacking player, he is comfortable playing wide or inside. He loves isolating players 1v1 and will be an exciting watch.”
Miguel Menendez – Junior – Midfielder
Oviedo, Spain / IES Llanera / William Penn
Menendez is heading to Old Dominion as an incoming junior transfer from William Penn. Last season, he started 23-out-of-25 games and finished with nine goals and 12 assists for 30 total points. He attended IES Llanera High School and was the Class President.
“A transfer from William Penn who lost in last year’s NAIA national final, he is a talented midfielder who works extremely hard on both sides of the ball,” said McVea. “Menendez has scored and created goals but also knows what It takes to battle for the team. He will fit in with the group immediately and I’m excited to see what this season holds for him.”
Lewis Rourke – Junior – Forward
Nottingham, England / Park Vale Academy / Northeast Community College
Rourke is transferring to ODU from Northeast Community College. An incoming 6’2’ junior forward, Rourke is originally from Nottingham, England. He is proficient at putting the ball in the back of the net, scoring 40 goals in 45 appearances over two seasons. Last season, he finished with 18 goals and eight assists compared to his freshman year when he found the net 22 times and found teammates for a goal four times.
“Rourke has been a prolific goal scorer at every level he has played,” said McVea. “Originally from Nottingham, England he has spent the last 2 years at Northeast Community College where he was a 2 time All American. Over those 2 seasons he accumulated 40 goals. We are looking forward to seeing him hit the back of the net in an Old Dominion jersey.”
Barrett Saul – Junior – Midfield
Leesburg, Va. / Tuscarora High School / West Virginia
Saul is an incoming junior transfer from West Virginia. The 6’0’ Old Dominion midfielder is from Leesburg, Virginia. Last season he played in eight games for the Mountaineers and made one assist in a 4-0 win over George Washington.
“Saul joined us midyear from West Virginia, a Virginia product, he is a creative midfielder with excellent feet and passing range,” said McVea. “He plays between lines and can be a link from defense to attack. He hit the ground running this spring and I’m looking forward to seeing continued improvement this fall.”
Jamie Wynne – Graduate Student – Midfielder
Dublin, Ireland / TU Dublin / Tallaght / William Carey
Wynne is a graduate student transfer from William Carey. He is a native of Dublin, Ireland. The 5’10’ forward started 18-out-of-21 games and scored seven goals along with dishing six assists for 20 points. He has represented Ireland on the national level making an appearance for the U19 team. Over the three seasons Wynne spent at WCU he scored 18 goals and made 13 assists for 49 points. He earned 2023 SSAC First Team All-Conference, SSAC All-Tournament Team, and was a 2023 NAIA All-American Third Team Selection.
“Wynne is a player I’ve followed for a few years, an NAIA All American from William Carey, he is an attacking threat either wide or through the middle,” said McVea. “I’m excited to add someone of his caliber and experience. He will be a huge addition in and out of the locker room.”
Kosuke Yoshikawa – Freshman – Midfielder
Ridgewood, N.J. / Ridgewood High School / TSF
Yoshikawa is an incoming freshman coming to ODU, the midfielder is from Ridgewood, New Jersey but spent twelve years being raised in Osaka, Japan. At the age of six he joined the junior academy of the professional soccer team Gambia Osaka. At Ridgewood High School, the 5’8’ midfielder scored 12 goals and dished two assists in 12 games played for 26 points. He played club soccer at TSF Academy and was selected for the MLSNEXT Best of Matches at MLSNEXTCup in 2023.
“Yoshikawa follows Jett Aktan to Norfolk from the TSF group in New Jersey, a versatile midfielder, what sets Kosuke apart is his maturity, the game comes easily to him and he is a player who I’m extremely excited to see grow in his time as a Monarch,” said McVea.
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