Men’s Soccer Introduces 2024 Signing Class

Loyola men’s soccer head coach Steve Bode announced 10 new members joining the roster for the upcoming fall season March 22. The new faces come primarily from the Midwest and also feature one international athlete.

Bode said in a Loyola Athletics press release the members of the new class have everything he was looking for in a Loyola athlete and is excited for them to get to Chicago. 

“All these student-athletes have a passion for Loyola and our men’s soccer program,” Bode said. “This class also possesses all the attributes we look for when we recruit — starting with high character and work ethic. We cannot wait to get them to Chicago this August.”

Charlie Lacy comes from Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended Ann Arbor Skyline High School. By playing for the Michigan Wolves MLS Next program and for three years on Skyline’s varsity team, Lacy gained experience playing both outside back and forward. The 5-foot-9-inch player was named to the All-Southeastern Conference team and made an appearance with the Ann Arbor Football Club in the playoffs, according to the press release. 

Center back Daniel Firs played with the Maine South High School Team and had a brief stint with Sockers FC Chicago. The Park Ridge, Illinois native recorded 26 goals in high school and helped lead the Sockers to the top position in the Mid-American Region of the MLS Soccer Next program and record the fewest points against.

Forward Benji Chavarria from Elkhart, Indiana played for MLS Next Academy member Indy Eleven. Chavarria’s U19 team made history and clinched the first USL Championship in the Indy Eleven’s history, according to the press release. 

Former Chicago Fire FC and Bavarian United SC MLS Next league player Calvin Hess will also join the Ramblers for the 2024 season. Hess, originally from Racine, Wisconsin, plays right wing and right back and was a National Honor Society member at Wisconsin Virtual Learning. At 5 feet, 11 inches tall, Hess also has a black belt in Taekwondo, according to the press release. 

Hailing from Mount Prospect, Illinois, David Siemionko plays as a central defense midfielder. At John Hersey High School, Siemionko received nominations to the honor roll and previously played for Chicago FC United, according to the press release. 

Beck Rettenmaier from Leawood, Kansas joins the Ramblers as a forward. Rettenmaier attended Shawnee Mission East High School and played four years for the varsity program. He has 38 goals and 30 assists in his career, according to the press release. In high school, Rettenmaier received two All-Sunflower League First Team honors and All-State first and second team accolades.

Defense and midfielder Luka Ivancic is staying in his hometown of Chicago to continue his academic and athletic career. Standing at 5 feet, 11 inches tall, Ivancic previously played at Sockers FC and is finishing high school at Northside College Preparatory High School, according to the press release. 

Three-year varsity starter at Geneva High School, Liam O’Donoghue recorded 15 goals and 10 assists throughout his career, which includes playing with the Rickford Raptors ECNL, according to the press release. O’Donoghue led the DuKane Conference in goals and was second in assists in his final year and was named DuKane Conference Player of the Year. After his senior campaign, O’Donoghue was named Boys Soccer Player of the Year by the Kane County Chronicle. 

Making the transcontinental trip from Stockholm, Sweden is 6-foot-2-inch forward Arved von Vegesack. Von Vegesack played in the Swedish Youth League with Nacka Gymnasium and recorded 13 goals in the 2023 season, according to the press release. 

The last signee is Nicholas Roe from Naperville, Illinois. The center back played four years with Benet Academy’s varsity program. Roe had eight goals in his senior year — the most on his team — and 15 assists. In 2023, Roe received the East Suburban Catholic Conference Defender of the Year award and in 2022 and 2023 was honored to the USYS National Best XI when he played with Galaxy Soccer Club, according to the press release. 

Featured image by Holden Green | The Phoenix