BALTIMORE – The Loyola University Maryland men's soccer program officially welcomed the addition of nine newcomers at today's first practice of the 2019 season. 
 
The group will consist of one transfer – Justin Ingram, who will join the program as a junior – and eight freshmen who will form the Class of 2023; Jack Caldwell, Johan Granados, Jack Hosmer, Albert Kang, Matthew Lala, Spencer Nattans, Daniel Osuji and Kristinn Pétursson.

"Our staff did another amazing job with this recruiting class," head coach Steve Nichols said. "To go from 0-8-1 three years ago to back-to-back Patriot League regular season championships doesn't happen by accident. Our staff continues to bring in some of the best players in the country. We addressed all of our needs and prepared for the future after the departure of our outstanding group of seniors."
 

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School (Previous School)
Jack Caldwell	M	5-11	165	Manakin Sabot, Va./The Steward School
Johan Granados	F	5-10	155	Bowie, Md./Bowie
Jack Hosmer	M	5-8	140	Fanwood, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Justin Ingram	M	5-7	158	Indianapolis, Ind./Pike (Virginia)
Albert Kang	M	5-9	155	Maple Ridge, B.C./University Hill Secondary School
Matthew Lala	M	5-10	150	Baltimore, Md./Loyola Blakefield
Spencer Nattans	GK	6-2	185	Phoenix, Md./Calvert Hall
Daniel Osuji	D	6-1	175	Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall
Kristinn Pétursson	D	5-11	185	Hafnarfjordur, Iceland/The Commercial College of Iceland

 
 
Jack Caldwell – Midfield – 5-11 – 165
 
Nichols on Caldwell: "A Richmond Striker product who spent a year in Barcelona, Jack brings a ton of talent to a loaded center midfield. He's a gifted player with an incredible engine, and he'll push for minutes immediately. An old school player, Jack brings something to our program which is much needed."
 
Before Loyola: First team All-State and first team All-TCIS performer in 2017 after totaling 28 goals and 32 assists … helped The Steward School to state quarterfinal appearances in each of his four seasons with the program … named second team All-State in 2016 after recording 10 goals and 15 assists … team captain and team MVP in each of his final two seasons … named Richmond Times Dispatch Student-Athlete Scholar of the Year award winner in 2018 … 2018 VSCA All-Star Select Showcase … attended the TOVO Academy in Barcelona, Spain during 2018-19 … played club soccer for Richmond Strikers Elite, earning ODP 99 first team status in 2015-16 … also a four-year letterwinner in tennis, helping team to a state championship in 2018 … first team All-Tournament selection in 2018, team MVP in 2017 and Coaches' Award recipient in 2016.
 
Personal: Son of Daniel and Sally Caldwell … has three siblings, Andrew, Luke and Lilly … Andrew played soccer at Washington and Lee … honor roll student … National Honor Society member.
 
Caldwell on Loyola: "I chose Loyola because I believe this is the best place for me to achieve my goals as a student-athlete. The soccer program is on the rise, and I am looking forward to being challenged both physically and academically. I'm most excited about pushing myself to my limits and helping the team and my game become the best it can be."
 
 
Johan Granados – Forward – 5-10 – 150
 
Nichols on Granados: "We expect Johan to come in and help us immediately in our attacking third. He's very talented with the ball, and is as dangerous creating goals as he is scoring them. A Baltimore Armour product, he should add even more quality to an already dynamic attacking group."
 
Before Loyola: Attended Northwestern and Bowie High Schools … starter for Baltimore Armour, scoring seven goals for the club during the 2018-19 season … reached the US Soccer Development Academy playoffs in back-to-back years.
 
Personal: Is the son of Ramon Granados … has one sibling, Dalwin.
 
Granados on Loyola: "When I went for a visit, Loyola just felt like home. It's a great environment and the coaches really care about their players. I am excited to join the program."
   
 
Jack Hosmer – Midfield – 5-8 – 140
 
Nichols on Hosmer: "A sleeper in our recruiting class, Jack has opened some eyes this summer. He is a very creative, technical player who is a great fit for our style. I think he could surprise a lot of people this season."
 
Before Loyola: All-Conference performer during his senior year at Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS in New Jersey … helped team win a conference championship and advance to sectional final while posting a program-best record of 20-1-1 … named Rookie of the Year following his first season with the program as a junior … traveled with team to Costa Rica to play professional programs … also a two-year letterwinner in ice hockey … played club soccer for STA Morristown, where he captained the team to a cup final victory … scored six goals in one match.
 
Personal: Son of Kim and Michael Hosmer … has two siblings, Michael and Alex.
 
Hosmer on Loyola: "From the first time I was on campus, I fell in love with Loyola. The first thing I said to my mom when I was on campus was that I want to play here. I am so happy to be given an opportunity to represent a great university and program."
 
 
Justin Ingram – Midfield – 5-7 – 158
 
Nichols on Ingram: "Justin is a big-time central midfielder who should make an immediate impact to our team. A former U15 and U19 National Team player and a Virginia transfer, we expect Justin to fill Gabriel Carlsson's shoes, the only starter we graduated last year."
 
Before Loyola: Played for USL League Two squad Flint City Bucks in the summer of 2019, helping team to a USL2 National Championship … spent two years at the University of Virginia, where he played in eight games and started two … member of the U19 US National Team and the U15 Boys National Team … participated in three-consecutive U17 Generation Adidas Cups from 2013-15 … played for the Indiana Fire Academy … won three Indiana State Championships at the club level playing for Carmel United.
 
Personal: Is the son of Gartha and Sheila Ingram … has two siblings, Gabrielle and Matthew … sister played soccer at Kent State, brother played soccer at NC State.
 
Ingram on Loyola: "I most look forward to making memories with my new set of brothers and helping the program get over the hump."
 
 
Albert Kang – Midfield – 5-10 – 155
 
Nichols on Kang: "Albert is a very gifted central midfielder who can also play in the front three. A Vancouver Whitecaps product, he can to it all at a high level: score, distribute and defend. He has an incredible engine, and an unselfishness to go along with technical ability which makes him a coaches' dream."
 
Before Loyola: Attended Walter Murray Collegiate (2015-17), Thomas Haney Secondary School (2017-18) and University Hill Secondary School (2018-19) in Canada … was a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy in 2018 … started 15 out of 19 USSDA league games for the U19 team, including all three playoff games … trained with Vancouver's first team and U23 clubs … won Canada National Championship with Coquitlam Metroford in 2018 … also played for the Saskatchewan and BC Soccer provincial teams, winning a provincial championship in Saskatchewan and placing sixth at provincials for BC Soccer … named Thomas Haney Secondary School Team MVP after finishing as the top goal scorer … selected to Western Canada All-Star Team … gained experience playing internationally in England and Italy … also participated in basketball and track.
 
Personal: Son of Sungjin Kang and Meejung Jun … has one sibling, Sue … honor roll student … has participated in Best Buddies program.
 
Kang on Loyola: "I chose Loyola because of the academic and athletic excellence. Not only is it a strong academic school, but the dedicated coaches and promising team make a great combination. I'm ready to compete for a national championship."
 
 
Matthew Lala – Midfield – 5-10 – 150
 
Nichols on Lala: "A Baltimore Celtic and Loyola Blakefield product, Matthew is a talented center midfielder who could play a lot of positions for us. He is very skilled, he's unselfish, and he has a lot of speed. I wouldn't be surprised to see him play an important role for us this fall."
 
Before Loyola: Four-year letterwinner in soccer at Loyola Blakefield … all-conference performer as a senior, contributing five goals and 13 assists for a squad which finished 19-1 in the MIAA … added four goals and 10 assists during his junior season … starting center midfielder for two-time USYS National Champion Baltimore Celtic in 2018 and 2019 … captained the Baltimore Bays to a USYS National Championship Series appearance in 2018.
 
Personal: Son of Missy and Donny Lala … has three siblings, Andrew, Katie and Thomas … father played soccer at Seton Hall … National Honor Society member, and a member of the Honor Board.
 
Lala on Loyola: "I chose Loyola because the coaching staff and team made me feel at home from the very first day I stepped on campus. I'm excited to join this new family and compete at the highest level of college soccer, while also getting a great education."
 
 
Spencer Nattans – Goalkeeper – 6-2 – 185
 
Nichols on Nattans: "Spencer is not only a truly gifted athlete, he's an incredible young man. He adds to our goalkeeper arsenal which is one of the best in the country. Spencer brings a championship pedigree from his days at Calvert Hall and through his family genes. His father, Jeff, is in Loyola's Hall of Fame and led the Greyhounds to the NCAA Final Eight in 1986 and 1987."
 
Before Loyola: Three-year varsity player at Calvert Hall, contributing to a squad which reached the MIAA playoffs all three seasons, including an 'A' conference championship in 2016 … that team was ranked as high as No. 13 nationally in the SIMA FAB 50 rankings … started every game in 2017 and 2018, serving as team captain during his senior year … named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com All-America Watch List prior to the 2018 season … played for Baltimore Armour U.S. Soccer Development Academy in 2018, and was an official trial invitee for AC Ajaccio (French Ligue 2) that same year … four-year starter for Pipeline SC, helping team to an EDP first division championship in 2016 … recorded a 0.40 GAA for the club in 2018 … also played lacrosse during his time at Calvert Hall.
 
Personal: Son of Karen and Jeff Nattans … both parents graduated from Loyola … his father played soccer and basketball, and was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 … graduated in the top 20 academically in his high school class … McMullen Honors Scholar … member of the National, Science and French Honor Societies.
 
Nattans on Loyola: "I chose Loyola because of its strong balance of quality academics and high-level soccer. I will be receiving a great education while also playing among the top levels of NCAA Division I soccer for a great coaching staff. I also chose Loyola because of the strength of the brotherhood between the players, they are a cohesive unit."
 
 
Daniel Osuji – Defender – 6-1 – 175
 
Nichols on Osuji: "Daniel is a big-time player with an incredibly high ceiling. Reclassifying and graduating a year early might be a bit of an adjustment for him, but he is one of the best center backs in the country in his age group. He has won multiple National Championships in his youth career at Baltimore Armour."
 
Before Loyola: Won three USYSA State Cup titles with Baltimore Celtic … also helped Baltimore Celtic to two regional titles and the 2015 national title … led Baltimore Armour to the academy playoffs in 2016 and 2018.
 
Personal: Is the son of Christina and Linus … has three siblings, Amanda, Linus and Chris.
 
Osuji on Loyola: "Loyola was the best option for me because I knew it would take me to the next level and prepare me for my future. I know that the coaching staff will help make me both a better person and a better soccer player."

 
Kristinn Pétursson – Defender – 5-11 – 185
 
Nichols on Pétursson: "An Icelandic Youth National Team player, Kristinn is a mature and experienced center back who we expect to step in and lead immediately. With all of his international experience, he should be able to adjust quickly to the college game."
 
Before Loyola: Played 16 games with Iceland's National Youth Team … won the B-League with the U19 Team in 2018 … earned a third-place finish with the U15 Iceland National Team in the Youth Olympics … finished third in the Nordic Tournament with Iceland's U16 National Team … also played for FC Haukar, appearing in 16 games with the first team and winning the second division with Haukar's U19 team … standout performer in handball, winning a national championship with the senior team in 2016 … was a national and League 1 champion with the U19 handball team in 2017, and was a League 1 champion with the U17 team in 2014 and 2015.
 
Personal: Is the son of Inga V. Kristinsdóttir and Pétur V. Guðnason … has two siblings, Vilborg and Gunnhildur … father was captain of the handball team at Haukar … graduated with the 15th highest cumulative GPA at The Commercial College of Iceland.
 
Pétursson on Loyola: I chose Loyola because it is a family with high ambitions. It will be a great place to grow as a person and as a soccer player. Loyola is a top contender in the US with top-class coaches who care about their players."

 
Loyola will begin its quest for a third-straight Patriot League Regular Season Championship this fall, with the schedule set to begin on Friday, August 30 at NC State. The Wolfpack will be the first of six NCAA Tournament teams that the Greyhounds will face throughout the 2019 season and one of three Atlantic Coast Conference foes.