KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's soccer team and head coach Chad Wiseman have announced the additions of transfers Stephen Belanger (South Carolina University/LaSalle, Ontario), Max Blacker (Crewe United FC [Northern Ireland]/Scotch Plains, N.J.) and Jonathan Robinson (Marquette University/Gurnee, Ill.), along with the signing of A.J. Boucher (Richland, Mich./Gull Lake High School) for the upcoming 2022 season.
 
Belanger, a 5-foot-11 midfielder, spent his freshman season at South Carolina and will have three years of eligibility with the Broncos. Prior to that he was a product of the Vancouver Whitecaps U19 Academy. He also captained the Michigan Wolves U17 team and was a member of Michigan's Olympic Development Program. In addition to soccer, he also starred in track and field for his high school.
 
"We are really eager to have Stephen join our team this spring," said Wiseman. "We are huge on team culture at WMU and we believe Stephen will be a perfect fit.  He comes with a strong youth soccer background having played for two top level MLS NEXT Academy teams.  He comes with great leadership skills that we think will expand during his time as a Bronco.  Stephen's commitment and energy on the field is applauded by all his former coaches." 

Blacker will have two years of eligibility and most recently played for Crewe United FC in the Northern Ireland fourth division. He helped the team to a first-place finish until the season was voided due to COVID-19 issues, posting a 0.55 goals against average and a .857 save percentage. Blacker played his youth soccer for the Cedar Stars Academy out of Newark, recording 29 shutouts in 60 career games. He helped the stars to a championship at the prestigious Dallas Cup in 2017 and then helped the team back to the finals the next year.

"Max has a really unique background to how he got to this point in both his academic and athletic careers," said Wiseman. "He is very goal-oriented person and through the recruiting process that was very easy to see.  He has great feet for a goal keeper, has the ability to distribute to all three lines.  He joins our team with solid fundamentals in shot stopping, zone defense abilities and is excited to work hard this spring to elevate his skills to the next level."
 
Robinson, a 5-foot-8 defender, played two seasons at Marquette before transferring to WMU. In his two seasons he played in 27 games, starting in 12 and scoring one goal. During the 2020-21 season he helped the Golden Eagles to an 8-2-2 regular season record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Robinson played his youth soccer for Chicago Magic PSG Academy and FC United Academy.
 
"JR fills an immediate need for our program," said Wiseman. "He comes with lots of experience, competing in the BIG East, which joins the MAC as a top five RPI conference over the last three years.  He will play in our left back position, helping harden our backline.  He has an incredible engine and wiliness to get up and down the flank.  He is solid in possession, picking out the right pass at the right time.  He is a very good athlete, a durable one-on-one defender and an unlimited soccer IQ.  He also has a bit of swagger about him that is welcomed and needed within the culture of our team."     
Boucher, a 5-foot-8 midfielder, was an All-State selection during all four seasons at Gull Lake High School, including First Team selections during his junior and senior season. He was named to the Michigan High School Coaches Association Dream Team as a senior. Boucher won three club State Championships with the Kalamazoo Kingdom, also winning a National Championship and MVP honors during the tournament.
 
"AJ is a talented soccer player that above all is an absolute winner," added Wiseman. "Any team he plays for, whether that's club, high school, regional and/or national events, his teams win! Being named MVP of the National Championships is a big deal and great accomplishment.  His ability on the ball is special, very accountable in possession, great ball striker and he has the vision to see past the first and second options.  AJ's work ethic aligns with what we expect and recruit to our program each and every year."