DEKALB, Ill. – First-year Northern Illinois University men's soccer head coach Ryan Swan announced today the addition of six student-athletes to the Huskie program for the 2017 season. Konrad Dziedzic, Lawrence Kwazema, Noel Lopez, Brady Manning, Edmond Montano and Parker Moon will join the Huskies this coming fall. 

"I am very excited about our incoming class," said Swan. "There were specific needs that we needed to address and I believe we have met most of those needs. Zac Brown did a fantastic job identifying and communicating with our prospects and we are looking forward to getting them all on campus in August.  There are likely to be a couple of more signings in the next few weeks, but this is a great start for us."

Dziedzic is a goalkeeper from Chicago who transfers to NIU from West Virginia, where he has spent the past two seasons. Dziedzic played club soccer with the Chicago Magic PSG Academy for five seasons, helping the Magic take third-place in the US Soccer Development Academy Playoffs in 2014. Dziedzic was also named to the Development Academy's Central Conference Best XI that season and earned an invitation to a United States Under-18 National Team camp in Carson, Calif., later that year.  

"Konrad adds depth to our goalkeeper position," said Swan. "With two years of college experience under his belt, Konrad has the ability to challenge immediately for playing time. This addition makes our goalkeeping position very competitive, with three excellent players pushing for the starting job."

Kwazema comes to NIU from Burnsville, Minn., where he is a member of the Minnesota TwinStars Academy. A defender and defensive midfielder originally from Nigeria, Kwazema helped TwinStars win the 2015 Minnesota State Cup. Kwazema comes to NIU from the same club as current Huskie Ethan Pitre, as well as former Huskies Isaac Kannah and Karim Darbaki. Kwazema attends the International School of Minnesota. 

"Lawrence has the athleticism and technical ability to come in and challenge for playing time at a couple of different positions for us," said Swan. "He joins us from the Minnesota TwinStars, continuing a tradition of quality student-athletes coming from that area."

Lopez, an attacking player from Bensenville, Ill., is a member of the Chicago Sockers Academy program. He has played with the Sockers Development Academy teams for the past four seasons, helping them reach the US Soccer Development Academy Playoffs each season. 

"Noel has great soccer IQ and has the potential to be an outstanding college soccer player," said Swan. "He joins us from a very good Sockers FC team and has the potential to transition to the demands of the college game very quickly."

A native of Lenexa, Kan., Manning was a four-year starter at St. James Academy, helping the Thunder win the 2016 Kansas 5A State Championship. Manning, a captain during both his junior and senior seasons, earned all-state honors as a defender this past fall at St. James. Manning plays club soccer with Sporting Blue Valley. 

"Brady can play in a number of different positions," said Swan. "He has a very good left foot and the athletic profile to play as a center back or left back."

Montano played one season of high school soccer at Addison Trail High School in Addison, Ill. During that season, the center back earned all-conference and all-sectional honors and was also an All-State Special Mention honoree from Chicagoland Soccer, while helping Addison Trail to its first regional title in 16 years. Montano plays club soccer with FC 1974 Libertyville and has also played with both Chicago Sockers and Chicago Magic PSG. 

"Edmond has all of the tools to be a successful center back at the collegiate level," said Swan. "He is comfortable with the ball at his feet, but has the size and athleticism to make life very difficult for opposing strikers."

Moon, a native of Lees Summit, Mo., attended Lees Summit North High School, where he was a four-year letterwinner and a four-year all-conference selection. Moon, who was also a three-year all-district and all-area honoree, earned 2016 Missouri Class 4 All-State Second Team honors from the Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association. Moon played club soccer with KC Impulse and KC Fusion Academy. 

"Parker adds another attacking dimension for us," said Swan. "He can operate in several different positions and brings speed and good technical ability to our team. He has the ability to challenge for playing time immediately."

The Huskies are currently 2-0 this spring and will continue their spring slate next Saturday, April 15, when they host the University of Indianapolis at 1 p.m., at the NIU Soccer Complex.