EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Following a resurgent season a year ago that culminated in a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship and its first NCAA Tournament appearance in over 25 years, the University of Evansville men's soccer team has announced the signing of 16 newcomers for the upcoming 2025 fall campaign.

The signing class consists of 10 domestic additions to the squad and six international student-athletes, representing seven different states and three countries.

Bryson Burke · M · Crestwood, KY · South Oldham HS
 
Burke comes to UE after a successful youth career with South Oldham HS and Louisville City Academy. A midfielder, Burke helped Louisville City to the Final 4 in the ECNL playoffs and South Oldham to a deep playoff run in Kentucky HS soccer, as well as playing in the USL Academy League, while being named KHSAA All-State and All-Ohio Valley ECNL.
 
Personal
Son of Miranda & Kenny … Chose UE because of the combination of competitive academics and athletics … Majoring in Business
 
Coach Tarver on Bryson Burke

"Bryson is a versatile midfielder that has played at an academy that we are very familiar with in Louisville City, so we know the training habits and standards that he maintains. We are excited to see him continue to get better at UE."

 
Pablo Calvete · M · Ponferrada, Spain · UNIR
 
Calvete is transferring to UE from UNIR. A versatile midfielder, Calvete grew up in Girona's (La Liga) youth academy competing in Division de Honor as well as appearing for SD Ponferradina. More recently, Calvete has over 50 appearances in the Tercera RFEF (5^th Division) where his current squad, Atletico Astorga, achieved promotion to Segunda RFEF (4^th Division). 
 
Personal
Son of Carmen & Ruben … Chose UE because I can develop as a player and a person as I achieve my goals … Majoring in Business
 
Coach Tarver on Pablo Calvete

"Pablo has great pedigree. He can compete physically in the middle of a college soccer game but shows great patience and decision-making on the ball which will impact our team's style of play."

 
Malike Campbell · W · Tampa, FL · Tampa Catholic HS
 
Campbell joins the Aces after growing up in Tampa Bay United's academy (MLS Next) and Tampa Catholic HS. A captain at Tampa Catholic, Campbell led his team deep in the state playoffs. Additionally, Campbell helped Tampa Bay United make the Final 8 of the u17 MLS Next tournament in 2024. 
 
Personal
Son of Brandi Carter … Chose UE because I enjoyed the culture there and built a relationship with the staff … Majoring in Exercise Science
 
Coach Tarver on Malike Campbell
"Malike adds a vertical threat to our group and is a proven goal scorer at the MLS Next level. He can challenge in behind, but he also can play in combination and press from the front."
 

Aidan Engelbrecht · F · Evansville IN · Evansville North HS
 
Engelbrecht stays home in the River City after a youth career with FCE United and North HS. The top scorer for FCE and North, Engelbrecht played under the tutelage of Ace's women's soccer legend Krissy Engelbrecht. Engelbrecht was most recently named IHSAA All-State his senior season.
 
Personal
Son of Krissy & Jeff … Chose UE because of growing up around the program and wanting to be an Ace … Majoring in Physical Therapy
 
Coach Tarver on Aidan Engelbrecht
"Aidan was born to be an Ace. He was the main goal scorer for a successful North HS team and has shown up in big moments. We are excited to see how he develops here."
 

Andres Escudero · F · San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain · IES Joan Miro
 
Escudero continues the line of Spaniards joining the ranks of UE soccer. Escudero was the leading goal scorer for Alcorcon in the Division de Honor (top youth division) for the 24/25 season and appeared in the team of the week 4x. Before his time at Alcorcon, Escudero developed in Leganes' (La Liga) academy.
 
Personal
Son of Luz & Santiago … Chose UE because it is a great program, and I love purple … Majoring in Sports Journalism
 
Coach Tarver on Andres Escudero
"Andres is a physical forward that has scored consistently at the highest youth level in Spain. He plays with grit, determination, and passion."
 

Ben Fisch · D · St. Louis, MO · Lindbergh HS
 
Fisch joins Evansville from Lindbergh HS where he played under Aces' alum, Mike Marchi, and was teammates with current Ace, Michael Waller. Fisch also played with St. Louis Scott Gallagher in the MLS Next as a versatile right back where he helped SLSG appear at MLS Next Flex.
 
Personal
Son of Joseph & Julie … Chose UE because of historic program & great academics … Majoring in Business
 
Coach Tarver on Ben Fisch
"Ben played for an Ace alum Mike Marchi and came highly recommended. He's a defender that excels in 1v1s and can also add to the attack." 
 

Tancredi Fadda · F · Monza, Italy · University of Milan
 
Fadda returns to Evansville after graduating from University of Milan. Fadda spent the 2022 season with the Aces appearing in 11 matches while fighting through injuries. Fadda grew up in the Monza Academy before spending time in both Serie D and Eccellenza with various clubs.
 
Personal
Son of Gianfranco Fadda & Giovanna Ferraresi … 1 brother, Manilo … chose UE for the sporting project, academic plan, and campus life … Achieving second degree in Political Science

Coach Tarver on Tancredi Fadda
"We are excited to see Tancredi return to UE. He brings hold up play and a great feel for the game. He can lead the front line and brings experience to a new attacking group."
 

Kyle Kimberling · M · Crestwood, KY · EIU/South Oldham HS
 
A versatile midfielder, Kimberling transfers to UE from EIU. Kimberling appeared in 23 matches, starting 19 and playing over 1200 minutes while contributing 3 goals in his stint at EIU. Kimberling medically redshirted in 2024. In his youth days, Kimberling played under Coach Tarver for KFJ before finishing his youth career with Louisville City, winning the Dallas Cup and making the u19 ECNL playoffs.
 
Personal
Son of Russell & Jennifer … Chose UE because of high quality team and environment as well as belief in coaching staff … Majoring in Finance
 
Coach Tarver on Kyle Kimberling
"Kyle is a competitor. He has played extensive collegiate minutes in the midfield, and I know the type of attitude and commitment he brings to the table. We are familiar with his youth background with Louisville City and trust he will bring the right habits to UE."
 

Benjie Koziura · D · Evanston, IL · Evanston Township HS
 
Kosiura comes to UE after spending the last two years playing in Spain. Before spending his final high school year in Spain, Koziura played for Jabhat FC and FC Select in Illinois appearing in the Super Y playoffs. In Spain, he appeared for Levante and Patacona in Liga Nacional and Division de Honor.
 
Personal
Son of Sebastian & Karla … Chose UE because of the diversity, style of play, and connectedness of the team … Majoring in Business Undecided
 
Coach Tarver on Benjie Koziura
"Benjie reminds us of previous Evansville defenders that have the versatility to play anywhere on the backline. He is a good passer out of the back and values box defending."
 

Lloyd Robinson · W · Malabar, FL · Shattuck St. Mary's
 
A native of Florida, Robinson joins UE after spending high school playing for Shattuck St. Mary's and Florida ODP. Robinson played for SSM MLS Next u17 and u19 teams helping them appear at MLS Next Flex while scoring 23 goals and appearing in the MLS Next "Best of" Match. Robinson was called up to the U20 Guyanese National Team training camp for the U20 CONCACAF tournament.
 
Personal
Son of Chris & Maggie … Chose UE because of strong academics and soccer program … Majoring in Business
 
Coach Tarver on Lloyd Robinson
"Lloyd shows good attacking qualities and has the physical and 1v1 ability to make a difference in the final third. He's developed in a good academy and has the right mentality to work and improve during his time at UE."


Devin Shepherd · M · Denver, Colorado · Arapahoe HS
 
Shepherd comes to the River City from Denver and time with Real Colorado's MLS Next team. A versatile midfielder, Shepherd helped Real Colorado to the u19 MLS Next playoffs in 2024 and 2025. Shepherd also spent time in England appearing on England's Private Schools National Team, and upon returning to the states was named All-Conference ECNL.
 
Personal
Son of Shelley & Brian … Chose UE because the community & culture of the team with the ability to compete for the highest achievements … Majoring in Exercise Science
 
Coach Tarver on Devin Shepherd
"Devin is an all-round player. We like how composed his is on the ball, but he has also shown the physicality and versatility to acclimate to the college game quickly. We love how he competes."
 

Arsenii Smirnov · W/F · Valencia, Spain · Institut Educació Secundária
 
A physical and versatile attacking threat, Smirnov comes to Evansville by way of UD Conquense in Division de Honor. Smirnov appeared in 23 matches scoring a pair of goals, while also appearing for the men's team in the Preferente Division. Before UD Conquense, Smirnov appeared for Aldia u19 in Liga Nacional appearing in 16 matches.
 
Personal
Son of Sergei & Marina … Chose UE because it is a place to grow athletically and academically … Majoring in Business Analytics
 
Coach Tarver on Arsenii Smirnov
"Arsenii is a powerful attacker. We love his mentality to press relentlessly from the front. He's shown versatility to play as a striker or out wide and he is good 1v1."
 

Malcolm Starr · D · Albuquerque, NM · La Cueva HS
 
A towering defender, Starr joins Evansville after time with New Mexico United's (USL-C) academy. Starr spent preseason with the 1^st team in 2024 and 2025 and most recently led the u20s to the USL Academy Final 4. 
 
Personal
Son of John & Heather … Chose UE because it fits my academic needs and once I visited, I had a strong connection with the staff & team … Majoring in Business Administration
 
Coach Tarver on Malcolm Starr
"Malcolm is a left sided defender that has good athleticism but also quality on the ball, which is hard to find. He's a competitor and very vocal."

 
Álvaro Timón · M/W · Toledo, Spain · Valencia International University
 
A native of Toledo, Spain, Timon transfers to UE from Valenica International University. In his youth career, Timon played for CD Toledo, helping the team achieve promotion to Division de Honor while appearing for the first team in Segunda RFEF (4^th Division). Most recently, Timon appeared for Albacete's (La Liga 2) Division de Honor team before joining CD Villacañas helping them to the promotion playoffs in Tercera RFEF. 
 
Personal
Son of Jose María Timón & Cristina Sánchez … Chose UE because I felt the trust of the staff and I can continue my education while pursuing playing after college … Majoring in Civil Engineering
 
Coach Tarver on Alvaro Timon
"Álvaro can create something out of nothing. He can create for himself on the dribble but has a great eye for the final ball. He fits exactly what we want out of an attacker."
 

Blaise Uwandji · M/W · Dagenham, East London, England · Barking Abbey School
 
Uwandji joins Evansville after a successful youth career with West Ham United from u9-u18. Uwandji appeared in 20 u18 Premier League matches scoring 4 goals and recording 4 assists. Uwandji was a member of both the FA Cup Youth championship squad and U18 Premier League Title team. Uwandji also appeared for England's u15 team and DR Congo's u20 team. Uwandji most recently played for Romsford in Non-League football.
 
Personal
Chose UE because of the connection to the staff, feedback of players, and pathway and ambition of the program … Undecided Major.
 
Coach Tarver on Blaise Uwandji
"Blaise comes from a high-level background in England and has shown up in big moments. He is versatile and can make the difference in the final third with his quality on the ball and vision."
 

Benjamin Zec · F · Westfield, IN · Carmel HS
 
Zec comes to UE from Westfield, Indiana where he played for Indy 11's MLS Next program. A versatile attacker, Zec captained Indy 11 to the u19 MLS Next playoffs in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, Zec captained Indy 11 to back-to-back U20 USL Academy championships and was named USL Best XI.
 
Personal
Son of Adisa Zec … Chose UE because I believe in the program and its style of play along with the balance of small class sizes and academic support… Majoring in Finance
 
Coach Tarver on Benjamin Zec
"Ben is a difference maker in the final third. He has a knack for scoring and can play anywhere in the attack. He's scored in big moments and won as a youth player."