DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University men's soccer head coach Ryan Swan announced on Friday the first five signees for the incoming Class of 2018. The Huskies welcomed Adrian Corona (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central), Anthony Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais), Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais), Louis Sala (West Bloomfield, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's) and Pierce Ugarte (Oak Lawn, Ill./Oak Lawn) to the NIU Men's Soccer program. 

NIU's initial five members of the 2018 class include three players ranked in the Top Drawer Soccer Midwest Region Top 25. 

"I am very happy with the five additions to our team," said Swan. "All of these players come from great club backgrounds and have very high soccer I.Q. I am confident they will come in and help improve our squad and will have outstanding careers as Huskies. Our staff has done a great job identifying the needs of our team and finding the right kind of student-athlete to move our program forward."

A native of Plainfield, Ill., Adrian Corona is a member of the Chicago Fire Academy in the US Soccer Development Academy. Corona has appeared in 13 matches this season for the Fire, including five starts. Corona helped the Fire qualify for the 2017 Development Academy Playoffs. 

"Adrian comes to us from the Chicago Fire Academy and has the ability to play as a central midfielder or a right back," said Swan. "He is comfortable on the ball and has a great range of passes." 

Anthony Markanich, a native of Bourbonnais, Ill., scored 40 goals and had 14 assists during his senior season at Bradley-Bourbonnais High School, helping the Boilermakers to a third-place finish in the Illinois 3A State Tournament. Anthony Markanich earned all-state honors and is ranked 13th in the Midwest Region Class of 2018 by Top Drawer Soccer. 

"Anthony is an athletic and technical player, who is comfortable at left back or in the center of the field," said Swan. "He fits our style of play and should make a quick transition into the college game."

Nick Markanich, the twin brother of Anthony, scored 52 goals with nine assists as a senior at Bradley-Bourbonnais. An all-state honoree, Nick Markanich scored 96 goals combined in his junior and senior seasons, helping the Boilermakers to back-to-back third-place state finishes. Nick is ranked 22nd in the Midwest Region Class of 2018 by Top Drawer Soccer.

"A dynamic attacking player, Nick will challenge for time at center forward and on the wing," said Swan. "His goal scoring record speaks for itself and I am excited to add Nick to our attacking options in 2018."

Louis Sala, from West Bloomfield, Mich., is a member of the Crew SC Academy Wolves in the US Soccer Development Academy, where he has appeared in 11 games this season, including nine starts. Sala played three seasons of high school soccer at Orchard Lake St. Mary's, where in 2016 he was a Division 2 All-State honoree. 

"Louis is a technical and tenacious midfielder from the Michigan Wolves," said Swan. "He has the technical skillset to unlock defenses, but also has the work ethic and grit to play deeper on the field for us."

Pierce Ugarte, a native of Oak Lawn, Ill., plays club soccer with Sockers FC, where this season he has appeared in 11 matches, starting all 11, while scoring four goals. Ugarte began the 2015-16 season with the Chicago Fire U16 team before spending time with Portuguesa Santista in Brazil. Ugarte is ranked 21st in the Midwest Region Class of 2018 by Top Drawer Soccer.

"Pierce is a tall and technical central defender from Sockers FC," said Swan. "He has the composure on the ball to build our attack and the defensive savvy to help shore up our back line.  He could challenge immediately for significant time.

"We are happy with the start of our 2018 class, but are still looking to add a couple more quality players to round out our class."