Saint Louis men’s soccer won its second straight A-10 regular season championship last year. (Photo courtesy: SLU Athletics)
DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer
ST. LOUIS, MO — The Saint Louis University men’s soccer program announced its 2023 recruiting class on Tuesday. And that group may be the best set of incoming Billiken soccer players in school history.
Saint Louis will be adding six new freshmen and seven transfers to comprise a group that Top Drawer Soccer — one of the nation’s leading soccer publications — has ranked as the No. 1 recruiting class in the country.
The 13 new Billikens have already joined the team and will begin their eligibility this fall.
“It’s an extremely strong class up and down the field for SLU,” Billiken head coach Kevin Kalish said. “We are incredibly excited to welcome these young men to Saint Louis.
“We believe that they fit the culture of our team here at SLU and that they each reflect the pillars of our program: character, teamwork and fighting spirit.”
The new players joining the Saint Louis men’s soccer team are:
Jérémi Abonnel
Aix-en-Provence, France
Goalkeeper
Mid-America Christian University
• Member of AS Monaco Academy, France.
• ALL SAC Conference First team (2021 & 2022)
• SAC Goalkeeper of the year (2021 & 2022)
• Second team NAIA All-American (2022)
Kalish on Abonnel:
“Jérémi comes from a fantastic program at the NAIA level in MACU, where he was an integral part of their historic team in 2022 and was named to the NAIA All-American team. His youth career was spent with AS Monaco in France, and all of his experiences will bring high-end competition and character to our group of goalkeepers.”
Abonnel on why he chose Saint Louis:
“I chose Saint Louis University because it is a prestigious institution, and I believe the soccer program, staff, and team will continue to have amazing success. I can’t wait to be part of the championship culture here with SLU Men’s Soccer.”
Other schools considered:
FIU, ORU, Portland, UCF
Tanner Anderson
Quincy, Ill.
Midfielder
Quincy Notre Dame High School / St. Louis Scott Gallagher
• QND High School All-Time Leading Goal Scorer (100 goals)
• 2022 IHSA Class 1A State Champion
• 2x Chicagoland All-State Selection
• 2x All-Midwest Selection
• 2022 High School All-American
Kalish on Anderson:
“We have been fortunate to watch Tanner for many years and see him develop while playing for St. Louis Scott Gallagher and Quincy Notre Dame. He’s a versatile attacker with a unique ability to score goals, while also possessing that hard-working, team-first mentality like his brother Seth.”
Anderson on why he chose Saint Louis:
“I chose SLU because of the academic excellence alongside the historic soccer program. SLU provides me with a great education as well as being able to play for one of the top college soccer programs in the country. I knew SLU was the perfect fit for me as soon as I connected with the coaches. I can’t wait to get started and officially be a part of the Saint Louis family.”
Other schools considered:
DePaul
Cole Dougherty
Heath, Texas
Defender
Rockwell-Heath High School / Solar SC MLS Next
• United Soccer Coaches Club All-American 2022
• Honorable Mention 2022 GA Cup Best XI
• Solar MLS Next Captain
• Texas 6A State-Finalist 2021
• Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2023 Top 100 Players to Watch
Kalish on Dougherty:
“Cole is an extremely competitive, versatile defender who possesses a win-at-all-costs mentality and was an integral part in a very successful Solar SC team. He will fit in perfectly in our culture of excellence and continue to raise the standards on the field and in the classroom. We believe Cole will be a great leader within our program over the next four years.”
Dougherty on why he chose Saint Louis:
“I wanted to go to a place with a great culture, history, and a successful program. After talking with the coaches, and meeting my future teammates, I had absolutely no doubt that Saint Louis was the place for me.”
Other schools considered:
Creighton, Northwestern, Princeton
Galen Flynn
West Hartford, Conn.
Midfielder
Fordham University
• 2020-2021 A10 All Championship Team
• 2020-2021 A10 Champion
• 2021 USL League 2 Metropolitan League Champion
• 2022 USL League 2 Mid-Atlantic Champion
• 2022 Defensive POTY/Creative POTY Ocean City USL 2
Kalish on Flynn:
“Galen is a player we were very familiar with and admired as he played in the A-10 with Fordham for the last few years. He has a tremendous physical profile, coupled with a hard-working mentality that will fit us extremely well. Galen is a versatile wide player who can play in the back line or as an advanced attacker.”
Flynn on why he chose Saint Louis:
“I chose Saint Louis because of the unbelievable success and rich history the program has. This, and the soccer tradition in the city of St. Louis, made SLU my clear choice. After getting to know the coaching staff throughout the recruiting process, they made the decision extremely easy, and I can’t wait to play under them. I am extremely excited to become a Billiken.”
Other schools considered:
Kentucky, Syracuse, West Virginia
Diego Konincks
Montfoort, Netherlands
Defender
Campbell University
• 2019 All-GPAC Second Team , NAIA
• 2020 All Big South & All-Tournament First Team
• 2020 Big South Presidential Honor Roll
• 2021 All Big South First Team
• 2021 All Big South Academic First Team
• 2021 Big South Presidential Honor Roll
Kalish on Konincks:
“We are thrilled to have Diego in our program. He is an outstanding leader and player with proven collegiate success at Campbell University & Midland University. His experience and overall ability will fit right into our back line. We believe Diego can be one of the best center backs in college soccer this coming season.”
Konincks on why he chose Saint Louis:
“Saint Louis is known for having one of the best programs in the country. Because of the school, the program, the coaching staff, and the supporters, for me it is the perfect place to play my final year in college soccer.”
Other schools considered:
Indiana, Rutgers, USF, Virginia Tech
Carlos Leatherman
Saint Paul, Minn.
Midfielder
Central Senior High School / Minnesota United
• MLS Next All-Star
• Consistently Featured for Minnesota United 2 in MLS Next Pro
• Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2023 Top 75 Players to Watch
Kalish on Leatherman:
“Carlos is a special player and person who will model our values and pillars on a daily basis. He has been playing and competing with Minnesota United 2 in MLSNext Pro for the last few years and has performed extremely well. His versatility, quickness, and soccer IQ will allow for a smooth transition to college soccer.”
Leatherman on why he chose Saint Louis:
“I really like the University and city, and obviously the soccer program’s history speaks for itself. All in all, it felt like an easy decision to go to SLU, and I cannot wait to get to work and win championships as part of the Billiken family”
Other schools considered:
Creighton, Tulsa, UCSB, Wisconsin
Greg L’Hommedieu
St. Louis, Mo.
Goalkeeper
Regis University
• Missouri State Championship
• Missouri Goalkeeper of the Year
• 3x Summit League Champion
• RMAC Goalkeeper of the Week
Kalish on L’Hommedieu:
“Greg is an athletic goalkeeper with a tireless work ethic. We are excited that Greg will follow in his father’s footsteps and be a Billiken goalkeeper. He is a tremendous shot-stopper with college experience under his belt at University of Denver and Regis University. We are happy that Greg has decided to come back to St. Louis and play for his hometown for his next two years.”
L’Hommedieu on why he chose Saint Louis:
“My dad played at SLU and it’s always been a dream of mine to come home and represent my city. Going to SLU allows me to pursue my MBA in a competitive business school, while being part of one of the top soccer programs in the country.”
Other schools considered:
Central Arkansas, Lindenwood, Loyola Chicago, UMass
Marcos Moore
Houston, Texas
Forward
Kempner High School / RISE SC MLS Next
• 2021 USYS Best XI Award
• 2021 MLS Next All Star
• 2022 Youth Boys National Player of the Year
• 2022 United Soccer Coaches All American
• Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2023 Top 75 Players to Watch
Kalish on Moore:
“Marcos is a powerful, athletic attacker who can stretch the game and score goals. He had fantastic youth experiences with RISE SC, and we believe Marcos can continue to grow and have a tremendous career as a Billiken too. We are thrilled to add him to our family and culture.”
Moore on why he chose Saint Louis:
“I chose Saint Louis University because I wanted to play soccer at a top level and at the same time attend a college known for its great academics. The decided factors were the evident passion for the program by the school and its leadership, as well as their commitment to faith. I am really looking forward to getting started!”
Other schools considered:
North Carolina
Lawson Redmon
Glen Carbon, Ill.
Defender
Indiana University
• USL Academy contract with Saint Louis FC
• 2020 Big Ten Regular Season Champion
• 2020 Big Ten Tournament Champion
• 2020 NCAA Tournament National Finalist
• 2022 NCAA Tournament National Finalist
Kalish on Redmon:
“We are thrilled to welcome Lawson back home to St. Louis. We have known Lawson for a long time, he played on the same club team as former Billikens Kipp Keller and Patrick Schulte, and played for Coach Yeagley and Kevin Robson at Indiana in his first couple of seasons. He is a smart, mature, talented left back who knows what it takes to win games. His leadership and dependability will help our back line keep clean sheets over the next two years.”
Redmon on why he chose Saint Louis:
“As I began the transfer process it was always a priority of mine to return to St. Louis. I am delighted to have the opportunity to join this historic program, the championship culture here, and am thrilled to be able to represent the city of St. Louis.”
Cole Ross
St. Louis, Mo.
Defender
University of Dayton
• 2019 USYS State Cup Champion
• 2020 USYS State Cup Champion
• 2021 USYS State Cup Champion
• 2020 USYS Best XI
• 2021 USYS Best XI
Kalish on Ross:
“We are excited to welcome Cole into our Billiken family. Cole is a St. Louisan who is very familiar with our program and team culture. We believe Cole’s work ethic and resilient attitude can help our team improve and continue to compete for championships in years to come.”
Ross on why he chose Saint Louis:
“I chose Saint Louis because the school and the city support the Billikens like no other place. For me, Saint Louis is the best environment in the country to play college soccer. I am super excited to be part of this historic program.”
Jack Sullivan
Bethesda, Md.
Midfielder
Laurel Springs School / Colorado Rapids
• 2022 MLS Academy Player of the Year
• Consistently Featured for Colorado Rapids 2 in MLS Next Pro
• Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2023 Top 125 Players to Watch
Kalish on Sullivan:
“Jack is considered as one of the best youth players in the country after developing in the Colorado Rapids youth system, where he also played with Rapids 2 in MLSNext Pro. His intelligence, mobility and technique will make him an exciting player to watch for Billiken fans for many years. Jack models what a Billiken student-athlete looks like in the classroom, on the field and in the community. He will be a tremendous leader for our program over the next four years.”
Sullivan on why he chose Saint Louis:
“I chose Saint Louis for a few reasons. For me their environment on and off the field is one of the best in the country. The talented team they have, their amazing program, and the support from the coaches made it feel like the perfect fit.”
Other schools considered:
Cornell, Maryland
Axel Torres
Houston, Texas
Forward
Cypress Park High School / Rise SC MLS Next
• 2021 All District First Team
• 2022 All District First Team
• 2022 All State First Team
Kalish on Torres:
“Axel is a tireless worker who fits our identity as a team. His quickness as an attacker gives us a different look, and he can beat players off the dribble as well as create goals for others. Axel joins us from RISE SC, and he is an honest, hard-working player who will cover ground and lead the line on both sides of the ball. We are excited to bring his energy and relentless work into our team and culture.”
Torres on why he chose Saint Louis:
“The soccer culture in St. Louis is really what was special for me. The city and the school have a passion for the program that not many other places can match. I am excited to work with the coaches and the team to improve every day, and continue SLU Soccer’s successes on and off the field.”
Other schools considered:
UTRGV, St. Bonaventure
Matthew Wrobel
Mississauga, Ontario
Forward
St. Bonaventure University
• 2021 A-10 Rookie of the Week
• 2021 A-10 Honor Roll Selection
• 2021 A-10 All Rookie Team
• 2022 A-10 Player of the Week
Kalish on Wrobel:
“Matt is a player that caught our eye when scouting his former team and A-10 opponent, St. Bonaventure. He has a strong physical profile as a target forward, and him being 6-4 will help us tremendously on restarts. He has a desire to score, great composure in front of the goal and high soccer intelligence. Matt has the ability to be one of the best forwards in college soccer.”
Wrobel on why he chose Saint Louis:
“Having played and competed against SLU in the past, I know how special the program is. For me, the coaching staff were incredibly welcoming in the process, and I am excited to be part of the winning culture here, and to chase more success with this team.”
Other schools considered:
Dayton, Maryland, UNH
“Our staff has done an outstanding job putting together this class,” Kalish said. “It is made up of transfer students who bring great experiences in college soccer, some of the top young players from all over the country, and a handful of local players who understand the traditions of our program.
“We believe this class has experience, leadership, and players with terrific potential which will allow them all to continue to build on the successes of SLU Soccer. We look forward to this class bringing a strong Billiken work ethic to help in our pursuit of more championships and we cannot wait to watch them flourish as student-athletes who excel in the classroom and in the community. We are excited to welcome them all to the Billiken family.”
The Billikens will open the new season with a home exhibition game at Hermann Stadium, against Notre Dame on August 13.
The 2023 regular season will begin on August 24, with a home game against Butler.
SLU sports information contributed to this story.