Men's Soccer Adds Veteran, International-Heavy Class of 14

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- John Brown University men's soccer head coach Samuel Estrada announced Thursday (July 31) morning the addition of 14 student-athletes to join the Golden Eagles for the 2025 campaign, bringing an impressive blend of international experience and proven domestic talent to Siloam Springs.

The incoming class features players from seven different countries, including Panama, Germany, Spain, Costa Rica, Ghana, France, and Thailand, alongside standout stateside performers from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nevada.

"We're thrilled to welcome a talented incoming class," Estrada said. "This group adds experience, quality and athleticism to an already strong team. Most importantly, they're hungry to achieve our goals this season. We expect them to make a significant impact both immediately and in the long term."

The 2025 recruiting class arrives as the Golden Eagles' second-year head coach looks to build on his debut season success of an 11-1-6 record (.778 winning percentage) and 7-1-1 Sooner Athletic mark (.833). The Golden Eagles advanced to the SAC tournament semifinals for the fourth time in the last five seasons after winning the SAC's 2019 regular season and tournament titles.

Estrada faces the challenge of replacing nearly 44 percent of the team's 2024 offensive output along with All-Conference players Erick Diaz and Alonso Arrieta. However, the Golden Eagles return a strong core led by All-Conference selections Alejandro Gallardo, Marcos Miranda and Kendal Madrigal. Gallardo, who earned SAC Freshman of the Year honors last season, anchors a veteran group that provides stability for the incoming class.

Returners to the back line include upperclassmen Ahmed Abess, Steven Cisneros, and Atim Roper. Goalkeeper Adam Tebbs also returns for his swan song after posting an undefeated 6-0-3 record and three clean sheets in 2024.

The new group of footballers, however, span countries across four continents, highlighted by goalkeeper Juan Almanza's NCAA National Tournament experience at Hofstra (N.Y.), midfielder Constantin Bauer's U17 Bundesliga background in Germany, and defender Alane Massudi's decade of French club competition that featured regional championships. Five players bring valuable collegiate experience, with transfers Jorge Cervantes (Central Methodist (Mo.)) and Almanza arriving from four-year programs alongside junior college veterans Ransford Okyere (Connors State (Okla.)), Andres Pereira (Coffeyville (Kan.)), and Serigne Massine (Eastern Arizona). The remaining nine newcomers will transition to the Blue and Gold from European club academies, American high school programs, and international schools.

Goalkeeper Juan Almanza arrives from Panama City with valuable NCAA tournament experience, having red-shirted at Hofstra University during the Pride's impressive 2024 Colonial Athletic Association Championship and NCAA Round of 16 campaign. The 5-foot-11 netminder was recognized as Best Athlete Class of 2024 at Colegio Real de Panamá while earning 3rd Place of Honor Class of 2023 academic distinction.

Nevada's Justus Avera was a standout at Grace International School, capturing Most Valuable Player honors while helping the program secure three straight CMAC Championships from 2021-2023. The versatile 5-foot-10 midfielder showcased his scoring ability with a memorable four-goal outing against Faith in ACSC play last October.

German midfielder Constantin Bauer represents elite European development, having competed for 1.FC Kaiserslautern's U17 squad in the prestigious Bundesliga against clubs like FC Bayern Munich and TSG Hoffenheim. After transitioning to TSV Schott Mainz, the 5-foot-10 playmaker helped secure Regional League Champions and promotion to the U19 Bundesliga while contributing seven goals and five assists in his debut campaign.

Defender Daniel Bestard brings extensive Spanish club experience to Siloam Springs after 15 years in various systems throughout his native Sóller. The 6-foot-1 center back graduated from IES Guillem Colom Casasnovas in 2021 before making the jump to American collegiate soccer.

Transfer Jorge Cervantes joins the Golden Eagles after competing at Central Methodist University, where he played under head coach Adam Galla in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Missouri product was a three-time All-State selection at Farmington High School and helped capture the 4A State Championship in 2022. His impressive career numbers include 51 goals and 51 assists over three varsity seasons, capped by a senior campaign featuring 23 goals and 15 assists.

Forward Ignacio Coto makes the transition from Costa Rican club competition to collegiate soccer after graduating from the Ministry of Education of Costa Rica in 2020. The 5-foot-4 attacker spent several years competing in his home country's club systems before deciding to continue his career stateside.

Collin Foltz dominated Asian Christian School Conference competition during his time at Grace International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand, earning Best Defender and Conference Player recognition as a senior. The 6-foot-1 defender was part of four consecutive CMAC Championship teams from 2018-2022 and received both Christian Athlete of the Year and Top Defender honors in 2022.

Local product Jedidiah Hunter officially steps up to the varsity level after three seasons with JBU's reserve squad. The 6-foot-4 goalkeeper starred at Siloam Springs High School, earning All-Conference honors in 2021 and All-State recognition in 2022. Hunter also excelled on the basketball court, receiving the Dustin Chamberlain Memorial Award.

Spanish midfielder Serigne Massine spent two productive seasons at Eastern Arizona College under head coach Bobby Peters before making his way to Arkansas. The 6-foot-2 player from Arenal also competed for Penya Arrabal at the Juvenil Nacional level, giving him valuable experience in Spanish club competition.

French defender Alane Massudi caps off a decade of club experience with his move to JBU. The 6-foot-4 center back graduated from Montesquieu in Paris in 2023 after capturing the U16 Regional Championship of Île-de-France with ACBB Boulogne-Billancourt (2020) and the Saint-Étienne Tournament with Amiens SC Football (2022).

Ransford Okyere adds NJCAA experience to the forward corps after two seasons at Connors State College under head coach Adams Skolnick. The 5-foot-9 Ghana native previously competed for Mahala Academy at the Division 2 level following his graduation from Asanteman Senior High School in Kumasi.

Costa Rican midfielder Andres Pereira spent one semester at Coffeyville Community College before deciding to join the Golden Eagles. The 5-foot-10 player graduated from Saint Jude School in San José in 2020 and brings valuable experience from his country's competitive club systems.

Kansas native Braeden Templin rewrote the record books at Berean Academy, setting the program mark with 38 career goals while sweeping major individual honors in 2022 (Player of the Year, Outstanding Team Leader, Outstanding Forward). The 5-foot-11 defender was equally impressive on the golf course, earning All-State recognition four straight years, including Second Team honors in 2021.

Garrison Thompson established himself as one of Missouri's top defenders during his junior season at Camdenton High School, collecting First Team All-State, All-Region Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Region, First Team All-Conference, and All-District honors. The 6-foot-2 center back also contributed offensively with 12 goals while anchoring a defense that recorded 13 shutouts. Thompson gained additional experience with United Capital City, Mendoza United FC, and AFC Columbia in MWPL competition.

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