The Purple Aces add 10 new student-athletes for the fall 2024 season
JUNE 25, 2024
EVANSVILLE, IND. – The University of Evansville men’s soccer team announces its upcoming class for the fall 2024 season.
Head Coach Robbe Tarver’s 2024 class includes 10 new Purple Ace student-athletes. The new class comprises seven incoming freshmen and three transfers.
“We are excited about the group coming in!” says Tarver. “We have a mix of guys that will impact the field immediately. And we have guys that can push our starters and then develop into key players. We think these individuals can enhance our program on and off the field and help us compete in the Missouri Valley Conference.”
Hugo Amo · GK · Burgos, Spain · Casper CC
Amo joins Evansville after two years of playing at the junior college level. In goal, Amo led Casper CC to the 2023 NJCAA Division I National Tournament, after winning the conference and district championships. Along with leading Casper to the national tournament, Amo was named First Team All-Region for his efforts. Amo spent his youth career playing for Burgos FC as part of their youth club.
“Hugo brings experience competing at a high JUCO level and winning games while being a leader at Casper,” says Tarver. “We are looking forward to seeing him compete this fall.”
Amo is the son of Oscar Amo & Ana Marta Riaño and has two brothers. Amo chose UE because of his ability to combine soccer while also getting a degree. He will be majoring in business during his time at Evansville.
Håkon Smedsrud Edstrøm · Midfielder · Baerum, Norway · NTG
Edstrøm comes to UE from Norway after a youth career with Asker. After a successful youth career, Edstrøm moved up to Asker’s first team, where he has appeared in 27 matches for the first team in the Second Division and Third Divisions in Norway.
“Håkon has many attributes that translate to college soccer,” says Tarver. “He’s good in the air, able to be physical in the tackle, and shows a good range of passing.”
Son of Brit and Finn Ole … 3 siblings … chose UE because of high level soccer and good academics that align with career ambitions … Majoring in Business Undecided.
Nacho Garcia · Defender · Zaragoza, Spain · UNIR
Garcia comes to the River City from Zaragoza, Spain, after a youth career with Villareal. Garcia most recently competed with Huesca II, the same club fellow Ace, Jose Vivas, played for from 2019 to 2021.
“Nacho is mature and experienced coming to Evansville,” says Tarver. “His versatility will help us utilize him in multiple ways, while he will bring presence and maturity to our backline.”
Sean Hendrie · Midfielder · Summit, NJ · Summit HS
Hendrie joins the Purple Aces after spending a gap year in Valencia, Spain with the Eture Gap Year Program. Originally from New Jersey, Sean was 2x First Team All-State, Northeast All-Region, and Union County Player of the Year en route to the Group III 2021 state title with Summit HS.
“Sean is a feisty attacking player who has a knack for creating scoring opportunities,” says Tarver. “We like his background as a winner and what that experience will bring to our program.”
Hendrie is the son of Karen & Frank and has 3 siblings. Hendrie chose UE as he can continue his academic and soccer journey at the highest level.
Conner Johnson · GK · Owensboro, KY · Daviess County HS
Johnson comes from across the Ohio River to Evansville after spending his youth career with Bowling Green FC and Daviess County HS. Johnson was named the Owensboro Sports Co-Player of the Year and 2nd team All-State for Daviess County in 2023 as the Panthers made a run to the KHSAA Quarterfinals. In his final season, Johnson was also named to the All-Tournament team, the Owensboro Sports All-County team. With Bowling Green FC, Johnson was a 3x state champion including most recently in June of 2024.
“Conner possesses many traits of a high-level goalkeeper,” says Tarver. “He has also been a leader for both successful high school and club teams. We are excited to see him develop as a Purple Ace.”
Johnson is the son of Angela & Jeremiah Johnson and has a sister. Johnson chose UE because of the connection he has to both the team and the coaching staff.
Michal Mroz · GK · Elk Grove, IL · Elk Grove HS
Mroz comes to Evansville from FC United in MLS Next, a youth team well known for producing quality goalkeeping talent. While with FC United, Mroz played under former Aces assistant, Toney Anderson, as well as GK guru and Toney’s father, Stan Anderson. Mroz helped FC United reach the MLS Next Flex tournament and the playoffs in 2024.
“Michal is mature beyond his years in goal,” says Tarver. “He has a knack for making big saves in 1v1 situations. We are excited to see him come in and compete with our older GKs.”
Mroz is the son of Magdalena & Krzysztof and has three brothers – Krystztof, Patryk, & Jakub. He chose to attend UE because of the smaller class sizes and the program’s mutual interest in him as a player. While at UE Mroz will be majoring in Business.
Sami Owusu · Attacker · Denver, CO · University of Dayton
Owusu comes to Evansville as a grad transfer after time at Dayton, Cal State Fullerton, and Salt Lake CC. At Salt Lake CC, Owusu was a teammate of current Ace, Kai Phillip, where together they won the 2020 NJCAA Division I title. During the 2020 run, Owusu was also named a First Team All-American & the NJCAA Region Player of the Year. At Fullerton and Dayton, Owusu appeared in 32 games with 13 starts, scoring 6 goals and providing 1 assist. He also helped Dayton to an A10 Championship and a NCAA Appearance in 2023.
“Sami has attacking qualities that you cannot teach and a history of scoring big goals,” says Tarver of the grad transfer. “We hope to unlock more of his potential here in the 2024 season.”
Owusu is the son of Victor Owusu & Mary Appiah. He chose UE because the staff made him feel comfortable and his relationships with current players on the team like Kai Phillip. Owusu will be earning his Graduate Degree in Leadership while at Evansville.
Brady Seaton · GK · Evansville, IN · Evansville North HS
After spending time with Indiana Fire South and North HS, Seaton stays in his hometown of Evansville and joins the Purple Aces. During his time at North HS, Seaton was named to 2nd Team All-State, Academic All-State, and Defensive Player of the Year in Class 5A. Along with his state accolades, Seaton earned the most wins (26) and clean sheets (19) in North HS history.
“Brady is a Purple Ace,” says Tarver. “He’s shown up in big moments both for North and the Fire. We are excited to add his passion for UE to our program this fall.”
Seaton is the son of Christopher Seaton & Misty Murty and has two siblings. Seaton chose UE because of the great PT program, and growing up an Aces fan as his mom is a UE grad. Seaton will be majoring in Exercise Science (Pre-PT) at Evansville.
Peyton Williams · Attacker · Dallas, TX · DeSoto HS
Williams joins UE after time in the ECNL with DKSC in Dallas. Willaims also played in the MLS Next Development League with the Dallas Hornets. With DKSC, Williams led the team to the ECNL Playoffs and to the Dallas Cup final. With the Hornets, Williams was part of a bid to MLS Next Flex. With DeSoto HS, Williams was named the District Player of the Year and All-Region as only a sophomore.
“Peyton can create for himself and for his teammates. Shows an eye for the final pass but also the grit to defend and compete up top.”
Son of Damien & LaStassia … has 2 brothers & 2 sisters … chose Evansville because of the family atmosphere with the staff and players … Majoring in Business.
Martin Wurschmidt · Defender · Fram, Norway · Thor Heyerdahl VGS
Wurschmidt comes to the River City from Fram, Norway, where he played for Fram Larvik in the Norwegian Third Division. He has represented Fram Lavrik through the youth ranks and most recently played with the Senior Team in Post-Nord League. Wurschmidt made 14 appearances with 1 goal on the Senior Team. In 2022, Wurschmidt helped the team gain a promotion to the second Division in Norway and in 2023 he was named the Division’s Young Player of the Year.
“Martin has fantastic ability in the air and can cover the ground defensively,” says Tarver. “We like his maturity and his ability to play out of the back.”
Wurschmidt is the son of Øyvind & Lene and has a brother and sister. He chose UE because of both the academic and soccer opportunities at the University.
