Now they’re reaping some of the positive effects of the best season in program history with a huge recruiting class of 16 players for this fall’s season.

While there are the typical nine freshmen starting their collegiate careers at Northern, another seven are transfers who have already been exposed to the college atmosphere.

Coming up with those kinds of numbers could be credited at least in part to how these Wildcats reached the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time in the 10-year history of the program last fall.

NMU finished 9-5-6 overall, placing third in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at 6-4-2 before running through the conference postseason tourney to also win its first championship there, too.

Northern Michigan University men’s soccer head coach Alex Fatovic, right, embraces Ian Weimer during a postgame celebration after the Wildcats defeated Roosevelt 2-1 in overtime in the GLIAC Tournament semifinals at University Center on Nov. 14. (Photo courtesy NMU)

Northern dropped Purdue Northwest 3-2 in penalty kicks after tying 2-2 in triple overtime to open the playoffs, then knocked off Roosevelt 2-1 in OT in the semifinals, finally toppling finals host and No. 1 seed Saginaw Valley State 1-0 in the title tilt.

The Wildcats look to return all four of their all-league players from a year ago — First Teamers Luca Rosen and Alessandro Scialanga and honorable mentions Ian Weimer and Asaf Kristal. Also back is GLIAC All-Tournament team member James Carr, an honor list Weimer also qualified for.

Rosen’s nine goals in 2025 represented almost 40% of NMU’s production as his 22 points was nearly a third of that team total.

So the new players can add, at a minimum, an amount of depth the program hasn’t seen before.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome this class to Northern Michigan University and our men’s soccer program,” said fifth-year Northern head coach Alex Fatovic in an NMU Sports Information news release announcing the new players. “This group represents another major step forward in the continued growth and development of our program.

Northern Michigan University men’s soccer player Teun van Gansewinkel, center, leads the Wildcats in a postgame celebration chant after defeating Roosevelt 2-1 in overtime in the GLIAC Tournament semifinals at University Center on Nov. 14. (Photo courtesy NMU)

“After winning our first GLIAC Championship, the challenge was to continue building a championship-caliber culture, and I believe this class reflects that vision.

“I’m extremely proud of the work our staff has put in to identify, recruit and build relationships with these players. Recruiting is a year-round process, and the commitment from our staff has allowed us to bring in another talented group of student-athletes who believe in what we are building here at NMU.”

Fatovic and third-year assistant coach Chance Vang recruited talent worldwide and from a wide range of backgrounds, from Division I transfers to international youth soccer.

The group includes an even split geographically — eight from the U.S. and eight from rest of the world. Domestically, there are four players from Michigan, two from Wisconsin and one each from Illinois and Idaho, while internationally, there’s two each from England and Spain, and one apiece from Canada, Wales, Germany and the Netherlands.

“What makes this class special is the variety of experiences and pathways represented,” Fatovic said. “We have talented young players coming in from the youth level, NCAA transfers who bring collegiate experience, NAIA and junior college players who have proven themselves, as well as international players who bring different backgrounds and perspectives into our locker room.

“Every player brings something unique, but the common theme is their hunger, competitiveness and belief in our championship vision. Our goal has always been to continue climbing and raise the standard of NMU Soccer.

“This class allows us to continue pushing this program to new heights while maintaining the culture, identity and expectations that have helped us reach this point.

“We can’t wait to welcome them to Marquette and see the impact they will have on our program.”

These are the newcomers, listed with their hometown and most recent team(s):

Forwards

Tony Campos, McFarland, Wis.; Edgewood University, Chicago Sockers MLS Next

Vinicius Cruz DaSilva, Lombard, Ill.; SC Wave MLS Next Homegrown

Noah Preston-Watkins, Pontypool, Wales; Rogers State University, Newport County

Caesar Soma, Royal Oak; Detroit City FC

Brody Stanton, Pocatello, Idaho; Utah State Eastern

Midfielders

Sergio Cano Castro, Cudillero Ovinana, Spain; Real Oviedo Juvenil A

Julius Lemm, Meckenheim, Germany; FC Viktoria 08 Arnoldsweiler

Sam Pilgrim, Willaston, England; Oakland City University, Liverpool & Burnley Academy

Matteo Przysucha, Thunder Bay, Ontario; Thunder Bay Chill

Defenders

Sam Cooper, Cambridge, England; St. Ives Town FC

Marcos Gallardo Rozano, Madrid, Spain; AD Union Adarve, Atletico de Madrid

Leo Korski, Washington, Mich.; Vardar MLS Next Homegrown

Jack Meyer, Northville; Michigan Jags MLS Next Homegrown

Jonah Wallace, Madison, Wis.; FC Wisconsin ECNL

Goalkeeper

Carson Shene, Allen Park; University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; Vardar MLS Next Homegrown

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the information. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.