DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University men's soccer head coach Ryan Swan announced on Thursday (Feb. 2) four signees for the 2023 season. Joe Hernandez (Bensenville, Ill./York Community), Kevin Kelly (Dublin, Ireland/Daytona State College), Luka Vasic (Maple, Ontario, Canada/Maple) and Ethan Wilson (Ajax, Ontario, Canada/Notre Dame Catholic Secondary) will join the NIU program for the upcoming campaign. 

"I appreciate all the work Coach (Ronnie) Bouemboue and Coach (Tyler) Doll have put into this class," said Swan. "These four guys are a great start to our 2023 class, and I am excited to see them in NIU colors soon. We will have a few more additions to announce in the next few weeks."

Hernandez is midfielder who comes to NIU from York Community High School, where he helped the Dukes to a fourth-place Illinois Class 3A finish as a senior in 2022 and won a state championship as a junior in 2021. Hernandez is a two-time All-West Suburban Conference honoree and played club soccer with the Chicago Raiders. 

"Joe was one of the standout performers during the Illinois High School state championships," said Swan. "He is a very technical player, but also enjoys the physical side of the game. I am confident he will enjoy a great collegiate career here at NIU."

Joining the Huskies for the winter semester, Kelly is a native of Dublin, Ireland, but joins NIU from Daytona State College, where he played the past two seasons. A forward, Kelly scored 10 goals and registered 11 assists in 2022 while helping Dayton State reach the NJCAA Division I national tournament for the second consecutive season. He scored nine goals with six assists in 2021. 

"We saw Kevin play a number of times at the junior college level and were really impressed with his composure on the ball and his desire to score goals," said Swan. "He has already settled into training with the team, and I am confident he will immediately contribute to our attacking play."

Vasic is a defender that plays for the Woodbridge Strikers Soccer Club in Woodbridge, Ontario, just outside of Toronto. Vasic joined the Woodbridge club in 2016 and most recently played with their League One Ontario U19 side that finished third in the Central Division. 

"Luka has all of the attributes to be an outstanding player for us," said Swan. "He is physically imposing, comfortable with the ball at his feet and is driven competitor. He also has the right personality and mentality to positively contribute to our team culture."

Wilson, who joins the Huskies from the greater Toronto area, is a defender who plays for the DeRo United Futbol Academy, founded by the former Canadian professional soccer player Dwayne De Rosario. Wilson also trialed with Toronto FC and played for the Ontario provincial team. 

"Ethan is an athletic center back who is comfortable playing out from the back," said Swan. "He impressed us both on and off the field and I expect Ethan to help drive our program to further success in his career with the Huskies."

NIU men's soccer begins a new era in 2023 as the Huskies join the Missouri Valley Conference as an affiliate member.