KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan men's soccer head coach Chad Wiseman announced Thursday, July 18, the addition of five transfers – graduate student forward Greyson Mercer, graduate student defender Asher Barnes, graduate student midfielder Owen Smith, senior defender Duarte Chapelas, and incoming junior defender Emiel Nieuwhof to the 2024 roster.
"These five players are the final pieces to our 2024 recruiting class. We have added some exceptional talent and experience to the roster," said Wiseman. "All of these players are fantastic young men with lofty goals in the game of soccer. I expect all of them to have an immediate impact on our roster both on and off the field. The expectations for the program have never been higher. These young men are ready to get to work. Bronco fans, you will definitely see some new faces this fall at the WMU soccer complex!"
Greyson Mercer | F | 6-2 | Heber City, Utah | Michigan State
In 43 games played for Michigan State University (26 starts), Mercer scored five goals (two game-winners) and added two assists for a total of 12 points. Mercer joins the Brown and Gold after playing 16 games, starting in 11 matches, and adding one goal for the Green and White in 2023. "Greyson has great playmaking ability and has proven that for years competing in the Big Ten. He is big, strong, and has the speed and quickness to cause opposing backlines problems." Praised Wiseman. "His ability to get on the end of services is what Bronco fans should be most excited about."
In the classroom, Mercer notched his second consecutive Academic All-Big Ten selection during the 2023-24 academic year. Mercer's efforts in the classroom also earned him a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar accolade. For an athlete to earn the prestigious award, they must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition, been enrolled full-time at the institution (two semesters or three quarters), and earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better all during the previous academic year.
"His work rate sets him apart from other college players," noted Wiseman. "He is relentless with his efforts. I fully expect Greyson to find the back of the net this fall and find it a lot. To land a distinguished scholar from the Big Ten conference is a big deal." emphasized Wiseman. "He is the complete package when you speak about student-athletes, our community will really benefit from this addition."
Asher Barnes | D | 6-0 | Toronto, Ontario | Niagara
The Broncos continue to bolster experience and leadership with the addition of Barnes. The graduate transfer led Niagara as last year's captain and started in 15 of 17 contests, playing a total of 1,269 minutes. Over the span of his career, Barnes has scored six goals (one game-winner), while adding five assists in 61 games (42 starts).
"Asher was the Captain of his former program, Niagara. We are excited about those leadership traits following him to Kalamazoo. He is a great athlete who will look to play at the outside back position." said Wiseman.
Barnes has earned a plethora of honors over his collegiate career ranging from MACC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) Co-Rookie of the Year in his freshman season to MAAC All Academic Team honors.
"Asher is a player that can get up and down the field, create opportunities and service in the final third, and lock down opposing teams attacking players. His skill set fits in perfectly with what we ask of the outside back position. Look for Asher to have an impact within our program in multiple ways." emphasized Wiseman.
Owen Smith | MF | 5-8 | New Plymouth, New Zealand | Oakland
Smith joins the Brown and Gold fresh off of earning All-Horizon First Team honors last season after helping Oakland University to a 6-3 conference record and a regular-season Horizon League championship.
"Owen is a player we are very familiar with, having competed against him over the past four years when he was at Oakland. He has the ability to play multiple positions on the field, from the wing to attacking midfielder." said Wiseman.
In 58 games (45 starts) for the Golden Grizzlies, Smith scored 13 goals (two game-winners) and added nine assists. Overall, Smith was second on Oakland in goals and third on the team in points with 15 during the 2023 campaign.
"Owen can score goals, put players in great spots to score, and is deadly on set pieces. He is hungry to compete at a high level and play with (and against) some of the best college players in the nation. Owen is a player that gets better and better as the game progresses because he has a strong soccer IQ, which allows him to be very accountable." praised Wiseman.
Duarte Chapelas | D | 6-3 | Lisboa, Portugal | MidAmerica Nazarene
With over 3,000 minutes under his belt at MidAmerica Nazarene University (55 games, 45 starts), Chapelas joins the Brown and Gold as another experienced member of Coach Wiseman's 2024 squad. Chapelas has totaled six goals and four assists over the course of his career and notably helped lead MNU to a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics title in 2023. "Duarte is a ball-playing center back with loads of experience; he is a winner on and off the field." said Wiseman.
Chapelas scored timely down the stretch in the NAIA Tournament enroute to MidAmerica Nazarene's NAIA championship title: In the second round of the NAIA Tournament, the defender provided a brace and notched the game-winner for his team in a 2-0 win over #20 Southern Oregon on November 18. Later, Chapelas and MidAmerica Nazarene secured two shutouts in their last four games to capture a NAIA national championship.
"Having won a national championship at the NAIA level, he knows what it takes to advance in big tournaments. Duarte is a leader on the field and helps navigate his teammates through difficult moments. I believe this will be the program's first Portuguese player, and we look forward to the diversity of thought he brings to our program." noted Wiseman.
Emiel Nieuwhof| D | 5-10 | Amstelveen, Netherlands | LSU in Shreveport
Nieuwhof transfers to WMU after spending the 2023 season with Louisiana State University in Shreveport. In 22 games (six starts), the incoming junior added one goal (a game-winner) and four assists, totaling six points for the Pilots. "Emiel is a very technical player with a strong soccer IQ. He is a left-sided player, which is always nice to have within your roster," said Wiseman. "Emiel has a wide range of passing and can connect within all the lines."
Last year, Nieuwhof propelled his team to a 16-6-1 record and a Red River Athletic Conference regular season championship after helping the Pilots limit opponents to a minuscule 0.71 goals per game in the backline. "His service in the final third will be a welcomed addition for our strikers. His ability to defend in one v one situations is impressive. He has a really good feel for the game in those moments," said Wiseman. "Emiel is another well-rounded player, an exceptional student, a great young man off the field, and a competitor on the field."
Fresh off of a second consecutive NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance, Coach Wiseman enters the 2024 campaign with a total of 14 additions: The Brown and Gold will feature not only these five young men but also five incoming freshmen (Gabe Villagomez, John Coon, Liam Smith, Jordan Klein, and Adam Smolcic), and four previous summer transfers (Colin Welsh, Donal Rahil, Carter Cormier, and David Ogbonna) this fall.
For all things WMU men's soccer, make sure to follow the team on Instagram, @wmu_menssoccer, X, @WMUMensSoccer, and Facebook at @westernmichiganuniversitymenssoccer.
