CHICAGO (June 13, 2023) – Loyola University Chicago head men's soccer coach Steve Bode announced on Tuesday the eight-member signing class that will be joining the Ramblers in the fall.
 
"We're extremely excited about this 2023 class joining us this fall," said Bode. "In addition to their high-level talent, they possess the traits we look for in Loyola recruits – high character, great students and a team-first mentality. Both Graham Brennan and Calum Mallace deserve a lot of credit for the hard work they've put in to secure this top class of recruits."
 
The class features seven incoming freshman as well as a graduate student transfer from Syracuse. In the class, the Ramblers will welcome a pair of goalkeepers, three attacking players and a trio of defenders.
 
Loyola's incoming class has a mix of local, regional and international talent joining the roster. Three players call the greater Chicagoland area home, with Mhone Bogonko (Schaumburg), Petar Janjic (Emlhurst) and Alex Ortiz (Hanover Park) all hailing from nearby. Three players, Lucas Daunhauer (Evansville, Indiana), Grant Bailey (Carmel, Indiana) and Ethan Young (Kansas City, Missouri) are all regional talent joining the roster while two players, Jack McFeely (Derry, Northern Ireland) and Noel Hansson (Uppsala, Sweeden) represent the Ramblers' two international additions.
 
Loyola's complete 2023 class can be seen below.
 

Grant Bailey | Outside Back
Carmel, Ind. | Carmel HS (Indiana Fire Pro Academy)

Bode on Bailey: "Grant is primarily an outside back who possesses a performance consistency that is hard to find. He's a quiet leader who has high character and is reliable on and off the field."
 
Bailey on choosing Loyola: "I felt the culture of the coaching staff and the program was amazing and something that I am really excited to be a part of."
 

Mhone Bogonko | Midfielder
Schaumburg, Ill. | Schaumburg HS (Sockers FC Chicago)

Bode on Bogonko: "Mhone is local product who continues to grow as a player and person by the day. He plays in the center of the park for his club team and does all the little things right as a player. He's also an excellent student and teammate that will be a great addition in the locker room."
 
Bogonko on choosing Loyola: "During my visit to Loyola, I was immediately drawn to the coaching staff and the close-knit and competitive environment made by the team. I was excited to compete in the A-10 with an ambitious, top-quality team that is on the rise and I know that they will help me to continue to grow."
 

Lucas Daunhauer | Goalkeeper
Evansville, Ind. | Syracuse/Kentucky Wesleyan/Evansville Mater Dei HS (Indiana Fire South/Sporting Southern Indiana)

Bode on Daunhauer: "Lucas is goalkeeper with a lot of experience and possesses high-level potential. His character and work ethic are impressive. He will bring a level of experience and leadership to our program that we're excited to have."
 
Daunhauer on choosing Loyola: "I chose Loyola because they have a great core group of players who are hungry and have high expectations for the fall. I am excited to play for a coaching staff that seems to care about their players growth both on and off the field."
 

Noel Hansson | Defender
Uppsala, Sweden | Celsiusskolan HS (IK Sirius)

Bode on Hansson: "Noel is a center back that has played at the highest level in Sweden. He will bring a level of experience and toughness that will serve us well this fall."
 
Hansson on choosing Loyola: When I talked to Coach Bode he gave me a good picture of both the team and the school. The balance between the great soccer team and the academic part made it really interesting.
 

Petar Janjic | Forward
Elmhurst, Ill. | York Community HS (Sockers FC Chicago)

Bode on Janjic: "Petar is a hard-working attacking local product who possesses a lot of leadership qualities that will add to our current team immensely."
 
Janjic on choosing Loyola: "The reason I chose Loyola University Chicago is because not only will my family be able to come watch me play, but also because of the great education as well as a competitive, high-level soccer atmosphere which will develop me as a player. I am beyond excited to get started."
 

Jack McFeely | Left Wing/Attacking Midfielder
Derry, Northern Ireland | St., Columbus College HS (Institute)

Bode on McFeely: "Jack will bring a different element to our team coming from the background he comes from in Ireland. He's an attacking player who is always looking to create and score goals."
 
McFeely on choosing Loyola: "I chose Loyola as I saw the amount of professionalism in the program and their hunger for success. The coaching staff made me feel welcome from our first chat and discussed their plans for the future and from then on I knew Loyola would be the place for me."
 

Alex Ortiz | Goalkeeper
Hanover Park, Ill. | Lake Park HS (Sockers FC Chicago)

Bode on Ortiz: "Alex is a local product who plays goalkeeper and has really developed a ton in the past year. He's earned the starting spot on his club team and became a consistent, steady presence in goal. We really believe his best soccer is still ahead of him in college and we can't wait to help him maximize his potential."
 
Ortiz on choosing Loyola: "The reason why I chose Loyola Chicago was for the great culture of the soccer program, having great depth and diversity as well as having a great coaching staff. I'm very excited to start this fall and can't wait to get started."
 

Ethan Young | Forward
Kansas City, Mo. | Saint Thomas Aquinas HS (KC Scott Gallagher ECNL 04/05 B)

Bode on Young: "Ethan is an attacking-minded player who has played both winger and outside back for his club teams. He possesses top speed with and without the ball. He is also a fantastic student who will puts the team before himself."
 
Young on choosing Loyola: "I chose Loyola University Chicago because of the culture of the school and program. When I first stepped foot on campus, I immediately knew that this was the place where I wanted to be. The opportunity to be in Chicago and playing in the Atlantic 10 is something that excites me, and to know that I have an amazing and experienced coaching staff that believes in my abilities as a player and person only makes me more excited for what's to come next."