MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's soccer team will welcome nine new players to the team next season. The Badgers are coming off of one of the most successful seasons in program history after a trip to the Sweet 16 and a Big Ten Tournament title and look to build on that success.

"The coaching staff has worked hard on recruiting immediate needs and players who fit the Wisconsin soccer culture on and off the field," head coach John Trask said. "Coach (Keith) Tiemeyer and Coach (Aaron) Hohlbein have done an outstanding job finding the right players and we are extremely excited about their desire to become a Badger Men's Soccer player. The graduation of a very strong senior class will give existing players and newcomers a great chance to see playing time and have an impact in the 2018 season."

Andrew Akindele
Andrew Akindele is a top recruit that was ranked as the No. 10 player in the Midwest region by TopDrawerSoccer (TDS). The 6-0 forward from Chicago played in the US Soccer Development Academy from 2011 through 2018 with the Chicago Fire Soccer Academy. He played for the first U-13/14 USSDA Chicago Fire Academy team in 2013-14.

As a sophomore, he was a member of the U-16 Chicago Fire Academy team and was the top goal scorer at the academy, reaching the Final Four with his team in the 2015-16 USSDA playoffs. He was also named the MVP at the Cayman Airways Invitational Tournament in Cayman Islands. As a junior and member of the U-17/18 Chicago Fire Academy Team, he was listed in the TDSIMG top 150 players in the country and was ranked seventh in the Midwest regional ranking. Akindele was also the team's captain in the Generation Adidas Cup. He currently plays on the U-19 USSDA Chicago Fire Academy team.

Akindele has international experience touring Mexico in 2014 and 2015, the Cayman Islands in 2015 and Costa Rica in 2016. He was on the honor roll all four years at Jones College Prep and also competed in basketball and baseball, while volunteering for the Red Cross in his spare time.

Akindele on why he chose Wisconsin:
"The school's great business program, my immediate connection with the coaching staff, the stunning campus, beautiful facilities and the opportunity to become a Badger is a dream come true!"

​​​​​​​Trask on Akindele:
"Andrew is a player who I've had the privilege to work with since the age of 5 in Chicago and has become one the top prospects in the country. Andrew will add athleticism and quality to our attack and will be expected to challenge for playing time this coming fall. Andrew is another top player from the Chicagoland area to join us here at Wisconsin."

​​​​​​​Tiemeyer on Akindele:
"Andrew is a talented, physical striker. He can cover ground, hold up play and finish opportunities. The traits mean that he will be counted on immediately upon his arrival in Madison. Andrew has a quality background having played in the Chicago Fire Academy program and has attended camps at UW."

Chris Bruch
Chris Bruch is a 5-9 forward from Peoria, Illinois, and will be a dangerous striker for Wisconsin. He attended Peoria Notre Dame High School and played for Mike Bare. In the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro U-15/16 Academy, Bruch accumulated 35 goals and seven assists. He was a team captain for the program as a junior. For Saint Louis FC Academy U-18/19 as a senior, Bruch tallied seven goals and three assists.
A National Honors Society member and Illinois State Scholar, Bruch had 12 goals and 11 assists playing for his high school squad as a freshman and sophomore. He also played in the US Market Training Center in U15. In addition to all this, he completed 100 hours of community service.

Bruch on why he chose Wisconsin:
"I chose to attend the University of Wisconsin because it is a dream school for me. It checks off everything on my list that I would want from a school. UW has an exceptional soccer program that is coming off of a year in which they won the Big Ten Tournament Title. UW also has a great Business School which I intend to pursue and get an excellent degree from. Finally, the campus and university is one that I fell in love with. From the second I got on campus, it felt right. I could see myself as a Badger. That was a major factor in my decision and I am very excited for what the next four years at UW have in store."

​​​​​​​Trask on Bruch:
"Chris is a soccer player through and through, he can score goals and create for others while bringing a tremendous work rate to training and matches. Chris's ability as a player and character will make everyone better in this program. Chris possesses all the attributes we look for in a member of the team and I look forward to watching him mature over the next four years."  

​​​​​​​Tiemeyer on Bruch:
"Chris has had a breakout year in the STLFC Academy. Not only is he scoring and assisting goals, he is becoming the most influential player in his team. From personality to academics to soccer success, Chris checks a lot of boxes on our recruit profile. He is another former camper joining the program."

Matthew Comiskey
Matthew Comiskey will be staying in his home state as the Whitefish Bay native joins the Badgers this fall. The 6-0 forward was named the United Soccer Coaches National High School Boys Player of the Year after scoring 46 goals and dishing out 30 assists his senior season. He was named the Conference Player of the Year and was first-team all-conference, first-team all-region, first-team all-state and was named the Wisconsin High School Boys Player of the Year, Whitefish Bay Scholar Athlete of the Year and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Boys State Soccer Player of the Year. His team was ranked second in the country after going 25-0 and winning the Division 2 State Championship and he was dubbed an All-American.

He's a three-time Division 2 state champion with Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes, after winning it all his sophomore and junior years as well. As a junior, Comiskey scored 17 goals and had 13 assists, was named first-team all-conference, first-team all-area and second-team all-state. In his sophomore season, he scored 10 goals and had 13 assists, was named third-team all-conference and helped his team to go 21-2-1.
Comiskey has international experience as well, training with Bayer Leverkusen and competed in a tournament with various European teams, finishing in third in 2012. He also was invited to Generation Adidas International Training Program in Amsterdam and trained with AFC Ajax for eight days. Comiskey played at the ID2 Regional Camps (2013-14) and with the Wisconsin Fire (2013-15).

Off the pitch, he plays the electric and acoustic guitars and was on the High Honor Roll in every semester of high school.

​​​​​​​Comiskey on why he chose Wisconsin:
"I chose to attend Wisconsin because the success of Coach Trask and his coaching staff is unquestioned. Not only has this team been to two straight Big 10 Championships, winning last year, but the quality of the players that eventually leave this university is as high as anywhere in the country. I am extremely excited to begin representing my home state at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall."

​​​​​​​Trask on Comiskey:
"Mathew is a highly technical attacking player who had an outstanding high school career at Whitefish Bay and excellent coaching and the Milwaukee Bavarian Club. His ability to finish and create really excites the coaching staff."
 
Tiemeyer on Comiskey:
"Matthew ticks many of our recruiting boxes. He is a talented soccer player and a very good student. In addition to playing with the highly successful youth teams at Bavarians, Matthew has joined the Bavarian's Majors on occasion. These experiences, combined with his success at Whitefish Bay High School, have paved Matthew's path as the National High School Player of the Year."

Dean Cowdroy
Goalkeeper Dean Cowdroy arrives in Madison to join the UW goalkeeper ranks after a successful two-year stint at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina.

The Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year, Cowdroy was named an all-conference first-team goalkeeper and broke the conference record for Goalkeeper of the Week with five accolades in his rookie season. His team won the regular conference and came runners up in the conference tournament and made it to the first round of the national tournament. A native of Canberra, Australia, Cowdroy was just as successful in his sophomore season, earning Goalkeeper of the Week three times, all-conference second-team honors and led his team to win both the conference's regular season and tournament in addition to making it to the Sweet 16. He was also named to the Dean's List twice.

He has international training experience competing in the Korea International Tournament twice, the Japan tour playing professional clubs with Australian academies, on the West Coast tour playing MLS academies and in the English goalkeeper academy trials/training. He was a part of the COE FFA National Residency Program (U17 Australia Squad).

​​​​​​​Cowdroy on why he chose Wisconsin:
"I chose to attend the University of Wisconsin because it is my next step in trying to become a professional footballer and is a new experience for myself to be put into. I love to be challenged and I think that this step in playing for Wisconsin is going to be my next chapter towards success."

​​​​​​​Trask on Cowdroy:
"Dean will provide immediate competition in our goalkeeping group. Dean is a very gifted athlete and wants to jump to the next level by joining the program. Dean's ability with the ball as a true sweeper keeper and excellent shot stopping abilities that will allow him to have tremendous success in his time in Madison."

​​​​​​​Tiemeyer on Cowdroy:
"Dean has recently completed his second outstanding season at Lander University in South Carolina. He is a smaller GK but has excellent range and timing in collecting crosses. He bosses his team and provides excellent distribution, setting the rhythm of the game."

GK Coach Tim Boruff on Cowdroy:
"Dean comes to us from Lander University, which is one of the top Division II schools in the country. Dean had two standout years under Coach Lee Squires. He has already played in many high level conference tournament and NCAA tournament games, and will bring a tremendous amount of experience with him. Dean's style of goalkeeping stood out to us right away on film. He is excellent in both his long range distribution and his build up play. He is confident and composed in goal, which is evident in his shot stopping and 1v1 play. We are looking forward to Dean making a fast impact in our program, and to immediately compete for the starting position."

Bobby Harris
A native of Rochester, Michigan, Bobby Harris is a 5-9 center midfielder that will be joining the Badger this year. As a junior and senior, he played academy soccer for Vardar Soccer Club in Detroit. As a sophomore for Stoney Creek High School, he was voted Team MVP, was the team's top scorer and top assists in addition to being named All-City, All-Region, All-District, All-Conference and honorable mention All-State. In 2013, he became a Super Y National Champ and went to the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Region II Pool. In 2014, his team was Michigan state champions, Region II champions, national champions and finished first in the MRL and NPL. In 2015, his team was first place MRL and NPL, Michigan ODP first place, went to the Region II championship and the ODP Region II pool. In 2016, his team took second place in the ODP National Championship.

Harris on why he chose Wisconsin:
"I chose to attend Wisconsin because of the great soccer program, excellent soccer coaches and strong academic program."

​​​​​​​Trask on Harris:
"Bobby is a player who stood out to the coaching staff for his passion to play the game of soccer. Bobby comes from the same part of Michigan as Mitch Guitar and has been very well taught by the Nationals Staff, led by Tino Scicluna and Gronthik Chatterjee as well as the Vardar Soccer Club (led by Morris and Mike Lupenec). Bobby is dynamic, feisty and is a total soccer player who will make everyone better around him.

​​​​​​​Tiemeyer on Harris:
"Bobby continues a lineage of outstanding players from the Detroit area joining the Badgers. He is an energetic, technical midfielder that will compete for playing time as a freshman. At our recent College Player Experience Camp, his exceptional soccer sense that allows him to be valuable at many positions on the field was on display."

Michael Hong
A 6-0 midfielder/defender from Vernon Hills, Illinois, Michael Hong was ranked the 13th-best player in the Midwest region by TopDrawerSoccer and will be a huge asset for the Badgers. He played for Gonzalo Segares in the USSDA. He participated in the id2 National Camp, USSDA Winter Showcase Best XI, multiple US Soccer Training invites, the Olympic Development Program Regional Pool, the Illinois State Cup and was on the Olympic Development Program state team.

Hong was also on several honor rolls, in advanced placement and honors curriculum. Additionally, he volunteered with Feed My Starving Children, Operation Christmas Child and was a Children's Ministry volunteer.

Hong on why he chose Wisconsin:
"I chose to attend Wisconsin because of the strong academic program and the opportunity to play high quality soccer in a competitive conference for an outstanding coaching staff."

​​​​​​​Trask on Hong:
"Michael is a player we identified who brings many great qualities to the game. His ability to pass the ball as well as good competitiveness and size will allow Michael to have great success here at Wisconsin. I was very impressed with Michael and his family during the recruiting and know he brings all the personality traits we look for in our program. "

​​​​​​​Tiemeyer on Hong:
"Another former camper, Michael comes to UW from the FC United Soccer Club in the Chicago area. He is a strong defensive midfielder/center back. He has very good passing range and a presence on the field whether in midfield or in the back."

Noah Melick
Noah Melick is a 6-1 forward from Algonquin, Illinois, and will be an attacking threat for the Badgers. As a senior and team captain for Jacobs High School, he tallied 33 goals and 19 assists en route to leading his team to an 18-6-3 record, a Final 8 appearance and regional and sectional titles. For his outstanding play, he was named Illinois State Player of the Year, IHSSCA All-State, IHSSCA All-Sectional, all-conference, All-Area Daily Herald, All-Area Elgin Courier, All-Area Northwest Herald, the Northwest Herald Player of the Year and Wendy's High School Heisman – School winner. He was named to the 2017 High School All-American team (Voted Best Starting XI) and to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-American Team.

In his four years at Jacobs High School, Melick accumulated 95 goals and 56 assists, leading the Golden Eagles to 60 wins, two conference, titles, three regional titles, two sectional championships and a pair of Final 8 appearances, including Jacob' first appearance since 2003.  He was a four-time all-conference selection, honorable mention all-area as a freshman, the MVP of the Indian State Cup as a sophomore, a two-time Elgin Courier Player of the Year, a two-time Northwest Herald Player of the Year, two-time Daily Herald All-Area captain, a Northwest Herald All-Area captain and three-time IHSSCA All-Sectional honoree.
Melick plays for FC United and with the team earned the 2017 FC United- State Cup Title, 2017 first Place in Regionals and won bronze at Nationals and was voted Best Starting XI. He has experience with UW through the 2017 Wisconsin Soccer College Player Experience Camp.

​​​​​​​Melick on why he chose Wisconsin:
"Since I have several family members that live in Wisconsin, I have been a huge fan my entire life. After visiting several campuses, I continued to be pulled back to Wisconsin because of what I witnessed firsthand during my multiple visits. The comradery, respect, and support that student athletes showed across multiple sports helped me realize that I wanted to be part of this very special community. While I may not know what the future holds, I am certain that Wisconsin will offer me the challenges and opportunities to grow academically, athletically, and as an individual to prepare me for that future."

Trask on Melick:
"Noah has all the tools to become a big time player in the college soccer. He possesses athleticism, strength and a desire to be a difference maker. Noah's competitiveness is high end and it will be exciting to see him compete against the best defenders the Big Ten has to offer.

​​​​​​​Tiemeyer on Melick:
"Noah has recently joined the FC United Academy following a standout season at Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, IL. At one of our recent camps, Noah proved to be a gifted athlete that can play up top or out wide. He covers ground, provides length in the attack and can bull his way to goal."

Charles Spragg
Charles Spragg is another standout from Auckland, New Zealand that will join the Badgers in the fall, following the likes of All-Whites player Sam Brotherton. The 5-10 striker out of Saint Kentigern College had 70 goals in his high school career along with 29 assists in 82 games. Spragg was named to the U-17 New Zealand National Team for the Oceania Qualifiers and the FIFA World Cup. In the FIFA U-17 Oceania Qualifiers, he was awarded the Golden Boot (with seven goals in five games) and named the Golden Ball Recipient (Most Valuable Player). Ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Spragg was named one of the 10 players to watch out for.

He played in the 2017 FIFA U-17 Oceania Qualifiers in Tahiti, the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, the 2014 Manchester United Premier Cup U-15 in Manchester, England and the 2012 Kashiwa Reysol Cup in Kashiwa, Japan.

Spragg on why he chose Wisconsin:
"I was looking for a college to help me develop in three ways - academically, as a soccer player, and a person. These three things I felt Wisconsin can provide me and help me excel in these areas of life. Obviously the soccer program stood out for me - the great coaches and world class facilities is something that really excites me."

Trask on Spragg:
"Charles is a player who comes very highly recommended as a member of the New Zealand National Team program. We had great success with Sam Brotherton (another All-Whites player) and feel that Charles will be a key to our attack for the next four years. Charles ability to link and create opportunities for himself is massive in the modern game. We are expecting a smooth transition for him from New Zealand as his brother competed for four years collegiately in the states."

​​​​​​​Tiemeyer on Spragg:
"Charles comes to UW after representing New Zealand at the U17 World Cup in India. He is striker capable of scoring goals at a high level. He combines that ability with worker's attitude, pressuring and frustrating opposing back lines."

Duncan Storey
A 5-9 midfielder from Ridgeland, Mississippi, Duncan Storey will join the Badgers' core this season after spending time at the Air Force Academy. Prior to his time with the Air Force, Storey played for Real Salt Lake U-16 Academy in 2012-2014 and the U-18 Academy in 2014-2016 under former U.S. Men's National Team Assistant Martin Vasquez. He was a member of the U-16 Academy team that lost in the National Championship to LA Galaxy in 2014. Storey was a member of the U-18 Academy team that advanced to the national championship game in 2015 and that set the single-season goal-scoring record of 177 goals in 45 games. Storey was selected to travel to England in the Summer of 2010 with SuperClubs National Team to compete in games against English clubs: Birmingham City, Tranmere Rovers, Ipswich Town, Reading, and Colchester. He also traveled to Barcelona with IMG Academy in the Spring of 2012 to train under youth Barcelona FC coaches and compete against local clubs from Barcelona.

Off the pitch, Storey was on the Honor Roll all four years of high school, received the highest Arizona high school exit exam score in mathematics for his district in 10th grade, graduated eighth out of 400 in his high school class in 2015, maintained Dean's/Commandant's/Athletic Director's/Superintendent's Lists for two semesters at the Air Force Academy, Dean's Lists for the other two semesters and ranked 45 out of 1047 cadets in his graduating class at the Air Force Academy.

In addition, Storey was a Lead Peer Mentor in the Seeds for Hope Mentoring Program in Casa Grande, Arizona in 2014 and 2015. This program volunteered at the local boys and girls club to mentor the local underprivileged youth.

Storey on why he chose Wisconsin:
"I chose to attend Wisconsin because of the academic reputation for excellence, the playing style of the soccer team, and the strength of the program in the Big Ten Conference under the outstanding coaching staff."

​​​​​​​Trask on Storey:
"Duncan is a very gifted midfielder who played for RSL Academy. His awareness, passing ability and tactical awareness will give us another quality option in the midfield this fall. We look forward to integrating him into our squad in the coming weeks."
 
Tiemeyer on Storey:
"Duncan joins UW after transferring from the Air Force Academy. He is a technical midfielder with good passing range and has a very good engine athletically. His experiences from his youth soccer at Real Salt Lake will be valuable as he joins our midfield at UW."