Northwest University’s men’s soccer coach, Gary McIntosh, announced the signing of four student-athletes to national letters of intent to attend the Kirkland school in the fall.
Transfers Titus Nickson, Simon Said and Lucas Mota Silveira, along with freshman Dennis Kozorezov, will be playing for the Eagles in the 2018 season.
Nickson, originally from Numan, Nigeria, played his collegiate soccer at Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming, a member of the National Junior College Association, for the past two seasons, earning All-Region IX North first team honors for the Generals. According to a press release, the sophomore defender started and played 90 minutes in every game the past two seasons and was a key factor in the best goal differential in the region for the General team. Last summer, Nickson played in the PDL for FC Boulder in Colorado, which aided in his development, the release states. He attended high school in San Bernadino, California, where he was named the Southern California Citrus Athlete of the Year, District Athlete of the Year and earned the Inland Empire King Hubbs Award.
“We are excited to announce the signing of Titus to our soccer program, where he will make an immediate impact for us on the defensive side of things,” McIntosh said in the release. “He’s a big and fast player who is going make our defense really tough to beat. Titus fits in really well with our team chemistry and he’s going make a great addition to our program and the university. We are really excited to have him commit to us for the fall.”
Said, a 5-11 forward, from Stockholm, Sweden is a transfer from Keiser University of West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to coming to Keiser, Said attended NCAA Division I, San Diego State University, the release states. In Sweden, he attended high school at Ostra Reals and played his club soccer for IF Brommapojkarna and AIK Stockholm. He was also a member of the Swedish u16/17 National Team. At Keiser, Said played in 13 games for the Seahawks who finished 8-6-1 in the 2017 season and played in the first round of the NAIA National Championships, according to the release.
“Signing a player with the experience Simon possesses is huge for the Northwest University soccer program,” McIntosh noted in the release. “Simon brings with him a lot of maturity and leadership for the midfield. He will immediately make us a better team. He will be a presence for us in the midfield, as he is great on the ball, makes good decisions and has good passing accuracy. We look forward to him joining our team and the university.”
Mota, from Salvador-Bahia, Brazil, will be a transfer from Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kansas, where he played midfielder for the Conquistadors, according to the release. He played his high school soccer for Officina in his home country of Brazil and was a member of a state league championship. Mota also attended and played for East Los Angeles College his freshman year.
“Lucas is a solid addition to our program and will help sure up the midfield for us,” McIntosh said in the release. “His experience and knowledge of the game will allow him to fit right in with our program.”
Kozorezov of Federal Way will graduate from Decatur High School and played for the Gators and as they earned a berth in the WIAA 4A state tournament in 2017, finishing with a 12-4-1 record. Kozorezov played his club soccer for PAC NW and the Desna Soccer Club and will be a four-year letter winner at Decatur High School.
On Kozorezov McIntosh said in the release, “We are excited to have Dennis sign to play for us. He will bring a defensive presence to the team and definitely makes us deeper in the defensive position. Dennis is a great fit for NU and I’m pleased to have him joining our program.”
