Men's Soccer | 08/13/21 | 10:29 AM

HELENA, Mont. – Carroll College men's soccer head coach Doug Mello has announced his full freshmen class for the 2021 fall season. The class is made up of eight people, including three local products from here in Helena, and five others from Idaho, South Dakota, Nevada, and Guam. 
 
"I feel really good about this year's recruiting class," Mello said. "We already return a great unit from last season and now we are adding a strong group of incoming freshmen who can contribute to our success right off the bat." 
 
Now let's meet our freshmen!
 
Leo Hwang / Las Vegas, Nev. / Winger, Outside Back


 
Hwang joins the Saints from Las Vegas, Nev. He didn't have a senior high school season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but that didn't stop him from being one of Nevada's most decorated players. Playing for LVSC 02 Boys Gold in the club circuit, his team went undefeated this year and won the '02/'01 state championship. Throughout his career, Hwang also won a championship in the Las Vegas Mayor's Cup, was a semi-finalist in the State Cup, and finished in second place in the Desert Conference. He is the son of Julie Choi and plans to study business management.
 
"Leo is a top-level player who can excel at a number of positions," Mello said. "His one on one prowess will make us a more potent attack and he has a history of scoring crucial goals in big moments."
 
"I chose Carroll College because I felt very welcomed by the coach, staff, and teammates at school when I went on the visit," Hwang said. "The facilities, fields, and school looked beautiful."
 
Henry Lauerman / Helena, Mont. / Goalkeeper


 
The first of several local products in this year's recruiting class, Lauerman heads right down the road from Helena Capital to play for the Saints. During his high school career, Henry was an all-conference and all-state selection and tallied four shutouts in his senior season moving him to third all-time in school history. Lauerman played club ball for Helena Arsenal. He is the son of Charlotte and Bruce Lauerman and intends on studying health sciences during his time at Carroll. 
 
"Henry is a premier keeper in the state of Montana," Mello said. "He makes a habit of blocking tough shot attempts and not only makes the save but doesn't give up rebounds. He is a humorous addition to our team chemistry."
 
Lauermann on why he chose Carroll: "Great soccer program and an even better educational opportunity."
 
Ethan Hayes / Helena, Mont. / Defender

 
 
Another local product in the 2021 recruiting class, Hayes is a graduate of Helena High. In his time playing soccer, Hayes has played all over the field as a forward, midfielder, defender, and even a little bit of goalkeeper. Hayes is a versatile player with a high soccer IQ who was voted all-conference at the high school level. Like Lauerman, he played club ball for Helena Arsenal and won five club state championships. He is the son of Donovan and Lori Hayes and will pursue a pre-med degree at Carroll.
 
"Ethan is a local talent and another product of our camps who will provide a boost to the middle of the pitch," Mello said. "He has a big body that he uses to his advantage to win possession and will help begin our attack with penetrating passes."
 
Hayes on why he chose Carroll: "I grew up playing soccer and wanted to continue playing soccer at the collegiate level with my hometown college."
 
Jackson Hague / Idaho Falls, Idaho / Midfielder


 
Hague joins the Carroll men's soccer program after a very decorated high school career in Idaho Falls. He was a multiple time all-conference and all-state selection as well as a three-year varsity starter. He also holds the Idaho state record for fastest goal scored in a state tournament game (28 seconds.) In his senior season, Hague played center back and still managed to find the back of the net 13 times and help lead his team to the district's top seed. Jackson is the son of Kristin and Blake Hall and will study health sciences with a minor in neuroscience.
 
"Jackson is another product of Saints soccer camps," Mello said. "He is an active midfielder who covers a lot of ground both with the ball and without. He will add a physical component to challenging for possession."
 
"I chose to attend Carroll because it gives me an opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded, hard-working individuals," Hague said. "I hope to take advantage of the incredible opportunities the school provides so that I might formulate myself into the person I hope to become. I hope to attend medical school and Carroll's well known pre-med program will help me achieve that goal."
 
Blake Waldmann / Boise, Idaho / Forward, Midfielder 


 
Waldmann is the second player from Idaho in this 2021 recruiting class. He is an all-conference honorable mention player who helped lead his high school team to a district championship. Although his team was only able to play 12 games in his senior season, Blake was able to be a force on the attack tallying four goals and four assists. He is the son of Teri and Todd Waldmann and is looking to study business management and marketing when he arrives to campus this fall.
 
"Blake is a very talented midfielder from the soccer hotbed of Boise whose quick, cheeky moves open up gaps in defensive formations," Mello said. "He has great feet is able to dictate speed of play."
 
Waldmann on why he chose Carroll: "I chose Carroll because it's an incredible opportunity to further my academic career while playing the sport I love."
 
Blake Middleton / Rapid City, S.D. / Midfielder, Forward


 
Middleton joins the Saints from South Dakota. Known as a vocal leader on the field, he helped guide his high school team to multiple undefeated seasons and second place in state in fall of 2020. In his senior season he scored two goals and six assists. Blake played club soccer for Black Hills Rapids. He is the son of Jeania and Curtis Middleton and will study nursing at Carroll starting this fall.
 
"Blake is a defensive specialist with the speed and hustle to make things happen," Mello said. "He is a vocal leader who always gives 100 percent."
 
Middleton on why he chose Carroll: "Great nursing program, great soccer program, and great location!"
 
Jacob Demmons / Helena, Mont. / Forward


 
Demmons is the third local product in this recruiting class, joining Ethan Hayes and Henry Lauerman. Demmons was a teammate of Hayes at Helena High, but played with both Hayes and Lauerman for Helena Arsenal. At the forward position, Demmons possesses a great amount of speed and has an ability to find the back of the net. An all-state player in high school, Demmons scored 12 goals and totaled three assists in his senior campaign. He was named All-Area Boys Player of the Year by the Helena Independent Record last season.
 
"Jacob is a local star who will make a big impact right away," Mello said. "He is a real speed demon with a knack for accurate crosses and long range shooting."
 
Ian Musashi Becker / Yigo, Guam / Goalkeeper


 
Becker is a very talented goalkeeper out of Simon Sanchez High School in Yigo, Guam. He was a member of the Guam National Team program and also played for Dededo soccer club, Quality Soccer Club, and SC Rovers. In his senior year, Ian was a second team all-island selection. He is the son of Robert and Ema Becker and intends to study environmental sciences while he is a student at Carroll.
 
"A member of the Guam National Team program, I discovered Ian at Hawaii ODP ID Camp," Mello said. "As a keeper, he prides himself on ruling the box and after the save he has really good distributing skills to begin the attack. He will add depth to our goalkeeping crew."

Becker on why he chose Carroll: "God sent me here."