CHICAGO, ILL.-The Illinois Institute of Technology men's soccer program will welcome six, first-year student-athletes to their 2021 roster in Dawson Nance, Mateo Sanchez, Kenneth Barnabee, Devin Zakeri, Naszir Mantilla, and Maciek Matusiak. The 2021 Scarlet Hawks will open their season on Wednesday, September 1 against Albion at Stuart Field.
Dawson Nance | Forward | Montgomery, Ill. | Oswego HS
High School: Led the 2021 Oswego High School boy's soccer team to a third-place finish in the Southwest Prairie Conference... Engineered the 2019-20 team to an undefeated season in the MRL Division, where he finished as the team's top goal scorer... Finished in the top-10 percent of graduating class... Illinois State Scholar... OFEE Scholarship recipient... AP Scholar with distinction... Member of the High Honor Roll, Oswego Technical Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, WE Club, and Jazz Band.
Personal: Son of Michelle and Todd Nance... Born on October 29, 2002... Biomedical engineering major.
Mateo Sanchez | Forward | Weston, Fla. | Cypress Bay HS
High School: Has played soccer since the age of 5. Played for Weston FC for 10+ years, where his team went to playoffs and won many trophies every season. Team captain for three years and leading goal scorer for two of them. Starter for Cypress Bay High School as a senior. Nominated for National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists Award of Excellence. Top 25% of his graduating class.
Personal: Son of Edgar Sanchez and Leyde Pardo... Born on March 13, 2003... Architectural engineering major.
Kenneth Barnabee | Midfield | Long Beach, Calif. | Long Beach Polytechnic
High School: 2019 Moore League Boy's Soccer Player of the Year... 2019 Regional Boy's Soccer Player of the Year... Member of the High Honor Roll... Recipient of the 2018 and 2019 Pursuit of Excellence Award in Math and Science... Poly Aid Club Treasurer.
Personal: Son of Joe Barnabee and Christine Ahn... Born on January 8, 2003... Aerospace engineering major.
Devin Zakeri | Forward | Skokie, Ill. | Niles North
High School: Niles North High School boy's soccer team captain... Named team captain of the Windy City Celtic Club... Member of the High Honor Roll and National Honor Society... AP Scholar... National Merit Finalist... Also a member of the Niles North High School boy's swimming & diving team.
Personal: Son of Lynn and Darius Zakeri... Born on July 12, 2003... Social and economic developmental policy major.
Naszir Mantilla | Defender | Miami, Fla. | Gulliver Prep
High School: Led the Gulliver Prep boy's soccer team to the 2020 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Championship... Helped the Gulliver Prep High School boy's soccer team secure a spot in the 2019 Weston Cup Championship Game... Member of the Gulliver Prep boy's soccer team that registered the 2020 South Florida Premier League Championship as well as the 2018 and 2019 Miami Country Day District Championships... Participated in the Gulliver Prep Robotics Club... Recipient of the 2018 President's Education Award.
Personal: Son of Edward and Ivlis Mantilla... Born on October 30, 2002... Aerospace engineering major.
Maciek Matusiak | Forward | Schaumburg, Ill. | James B. Conant
High School: Led club team to the national tournament... Named all-section honorable mention as a junior.
Personal: Son of Dariusz and Agnieszka Matusiak... Born on April 22, 2003... Aerospace engineering major.