Northwood Soccer Sends Students Off to Strong Programs
Despite a Covid-abbreviated season allowing fewer opportunities for student-athletes to be seen by college coaches and fewer available openings on most NCAA squads, Northwood senior soccer players did quite well finding opportunities to compete in top programs in all divisions, in all parts of the U.S. The team's spring trip to Texas and Nevada resulted in some fine late placements.
A university that has invested deeply in Northwood talent recently is Nebraska-Omaha. Three seniors will be joining 2020 grad Kenji Mboma Dem, Luke (Smudge) Smith, Naz Astwood, and Tomas Restrepo. This fall, hockey players Jake Guevin and Ray Fust will be matriculating there as well. I would note that Naz and teammate Alvaro Garcia Pascal (a recruit of Coastal Carolina where Luk Mikula will also be attending next fall) both represented Northwood at the High School All-American game in Saint Louis this spring. Andrew Mazza will be attending Bucknell as a defensive center-midfielder; Sean Kgwakgwa chose Jacksonville in Florida. Cahil Filho will tend goal at St. Lawrence University. Other commitments include Eduardo Guerra to Washington College, Gian Rodriquez Straccia at Utica, Marc Wharfe at St. John's University in Queens, Will Cruickshank at La Salle University, and Titouan Desveaux at Ottawa University.
"Despite the obstacles faced this season, I am most proud of this class and their resilience," states Jon Moodey, Head Coach. "This year's squad should be recognized not only for its excellent play but for the patience and commitment to team goals in a year where most of their plans did not solidify until late in the season."