Men's Soccer Welcomes Seven Freshmen For 2018
6/7/2018 6:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's soccer head coach Chaka Daley announced Thursday (June 7) the program's seven-man freshman class for the 2018 season. The newcomers include Derick Broche (Novi, Michigan), C.Y. Cheng (Hong Kong), Esosa "Sosa" Emovon (London, Ontario, Canada), Declan Gaffney (Los Angeles, Calif.), Aidan Nam (Ann Arbor, Michigan) and Sakarias "Saka" Opsahl (Oslo, Norway).
Forward • Novi, Mich. • Novi High School • Crew SC Academy Wolves
Daley on Broche ... "Derick joins the program having enjoyed a successful tenure at center-forward for local academy powerhouse, Crew Wolves. A prolific goal-scorer with size, speed and technical ability, Derick is a headache for defenders to deal with. He is a threat in behind, can hold the ball up and is equally deadly in front of goal with his left foot, right foot and his head. He is currently averaging a goal a game, making him one of the most efficient goal-scorers in the nation at the top youth level, and we believe he has the potential to replicate that form here at Michigan."
Midfielder • Rochester, Mich. • Stoney Creek High School • Vardar U18
Daley on Buca ... "Kevin arrives from one of the top local clubs, Vardar, where he has been a perennial starter in the USSF Academy for several years. A versatile player with bags of technical ability, Kevin can slot into many positions, but is perhaps most comfortable in the center of midfield. His ability to play in tight spaces and link defense to attack make him a talent to watch, as does his prowess from set-piece situations. Kevin is an extremely polished footballer with a mind for the game, and we are excited to watch him develop."
Defender • Hong Kong • The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, Conn.) • Black Rock FC
Daley on Cheng ... "C.Y. is a highly decorated youth player having competed and excelled at the top levels of high-school and club soccer, as well as representing his country with the Hong Kong Youth National Team. He is a technically smooth and intelligent player who can contribute anywhere down the left-flank. C.Y.'s strengths are his vision, his ability to combine and build from the back and his range of passing and service -- all attributes that will complement the playing philosophy here at U-M."
Esosa Emovon
Forward • London, Ontario, Canada • St. Thomas Aquinas • Vardar U18
Daley on Emovon ... "Sosa is another Vardar product who has enjoyed some fantastic success at the academy level. A resident of London, Ontario -- Sosa brings some flair and unpredictability to the group. A goal-scoring winger most comfortable on the right side, he possesses power, speed and skill, and can be a nightmare for defenders to deal with. More than just a threat to score himself, Sosa is a creator of goals, too, and his attacking teammates will benefit from his ability to attack the endline and provide dangerous service. Sosa prides himself on his ability to produce goals and assists, and we are excited to help him develop that production here in Ann Arbor."
Defender • Los Angeles, Calif. • Loyola High School • Pateadores
Daley on Gaffney ... "Another product of the USSF Academy, Declan joins us from the vaunted Pateadores soccer program in southern California. Declan has started almost every game for a Pateadores team that currently tops arguably the toughest youth division in the nation. A naturally left-footed fullback, Declan possesses excellent passing ability and natural athleticism, making him a powerful runner down the left side. His skill-set along with his pedigree and experience at the academy level should serve him well as he adjusts to college soccer here in Ann Arbor."
Midfielder • Ann Arbor, Mich. • Saline High School • Crew SC Academy Wolves
Daley on Nam ... "Another product of the excellent Crew Wolves program, Aidan is native of Ann Arbor and a natural fit here at U-M. He is a technically gifted and versatile midfielder who can slot in at the No. 8 or No. 10 spots centrally, or even on the wings. His range of passing is high-level and his size and speed off the ball make him hard to cope with, especially when he attacks space on the dribble. Aidan's quality of delivery in the run of play and from set pieces only make him a bigger threat and a more exciting prospect at the college level. His potential for growth here at Michigan is truly exciting."
Sakarias Opsahl
Midfielder • Oslo, Norway • Wang Top Athletics • Vålerenga 2, Norway
Daley on Opsahl ... "Saka arrives in Ann Arbor from Oslo, Norway, where he has been a standout youth and reserve player and has also seen first-team action for Vålerenga, a professional club in Norway's top division. A holding midfielder by trade, Saka is a true technician of the game and possesses a maturity and soccer IQ that belies his years. His long-range passing and ability to break lines are his technical strengths, though his ability to dictate the tempo of a game and turn defense into attack with one pass may be his greatest attribute, as he looks to make an impact in the college game."
The Wolverines went 12-6-2 in 2017, winning their first Big Ten championship and earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They return 11 student-athletes who started at least 10 matches last season.
