WASHINGTON – American University head men's soccer coach Zach Samol announced the signing of five student-athletes to his 2023 recruiting class. The Eagles will welcome freshmen Juan Carlos Alvarez, Reyes Parra, Ian Webb-Johnson, and Jared Weber to the squad in addition to transfer Sam Hershey who joined the program in January.  
 
"We are excited to officially welcome this talented and competitive group of student-athletes to our program," said Samol, who enters his fifth season at the helm of the American men's soccer program. "We've had the chance to work with Sam this spring and can't wait to start working with JC, Reyes, Ian and Jared in August. They will join what we think is our most veteran team to date and we are excited for them to add competition at their positions and add character to the locker room. I want to personally thank Mike Montross and Patrick Mehlert for the work they put in every day to bring the right kind of players and people into our family here at AU."
 
American is coming off its third straight conference final appearance and returns over 80 percent of its scoring from last season. The Eagles also return all five of their Patriot League All-Conference selections heading into the upcoming fall season.
 
Juan Carlos Alvarez
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: RGV Toros
 
Alvarez will come to American from McAllen, Texas, where he has been training with the RGV FC Toros USL Championship Team. Ranked a three star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, he was selected to the MLS NEXT All-Star game during the 2021-2022 season. Alvarez has earned multiple invites to US Youth National Team ID Camps.
 
Samol on Alvarez: 
"JC has the tools and the frame to develop into a top goalkeeper and comes to us from RGV Toros FC. His size, mobility, athleticism, and footwork make him a good shot stopper who can also make the big saves when called upon. JC is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has great distribution. He's a responsible young man and we're excited to add him to our goalkeeper group."
 

 
Sam Hershey
Position: Forward
Previous Institution: Lock Haven University
 
Hershey arrived at American in January after transferring from Lock Haven University.  He scored 24 goals and recorded 13 assists in his two seasons at Lock Haven. In 2022, he was named the PSAC Conference Player of the Year and to the United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region team. In 2021, he was named the PSAC Eastern Division Rookie of the Year and was a First Team All-Conference selection. Hershey was a member of the 2021 Lock Haven squad that won the PSAC East Division Regular Season Championship and qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
 
Samol on Hershey: 
"We've been fortunate to have Sam here for our spring season and his addition has added another dimension to our team. He adjusted well to our system and tallied three goals this spring. Sam holds the ball up well and brings players underneath him into the game. He has a real work rate and drive to be a top forward. His size, athleticism, and ability in the air gives us a different presence in the box."
 

 
Reyes Parra
Position: Midfielder
Club: Shattuck-St. Mary's Academy
 
Parra will come to Washington, D.C., from Round Lake, Ill., joining former Shattuck teammates Cullen Connaker and Jonah Fogel on AU's roster. He is ranked as the No. 175 recruit nationally and No. 11 in the Midwest region by Top Drawer Soccer. In his sophomore season he played up an age group with the U17's, advancing in the MLS Next playoffs before losing to eventual champion, Orlando City. As a junior, he played up an age group with the Shattuck U19's and advanced in the MLS Next playoffs. So far in the 2022-23 season, Parra has scored 17 goals.
 
Samol on Parra: 
"Reyes is our third player in two years coming to us from Shattuck-St. Mary's. He is a versatile attacking player that can operate out wide or in the pockets and has a top left foot. He brings attacking pop and energy to our team as he is a player willing to take risks to create goal scoring opportunities. Reyes also has the mentality to work and press on the defensive side of the ball that we value here at AU."
 

 
Ian Webb-Johnson
Position: Defender
Club: Boston Bolts
 
Webb-Johnson will come to American from Massachusetts where he plays for the Boston Bolts MLS NEXT U19 Team. He is the captain for the Bolts and has played for six years in the MLS NEXT program including three years with the New England Revolution. His Bolts team has qualified for the MLS NEXT playoffs this season. 
 
Samol on Webb-Johnson: 
"Ian comes to us from a successful FC Boston Bolts team. He is a true competitor with a blue-collar mentality and places real value in being an honest defender. He takes pride in organizing the back 4 and brings a vocal presence to our team. Ian has a knack for winning his individual battles and we like his simple and efficient distribution out of the back. He has a maturity and leadership quality to him that we are excited to add into our locker room."
 

 
Jared Weber
Position: Midfielder
Club: Arlington SA
 
Weber comes to American from nearby Falls Church, Va. He plays for Arlington SA in the ECNL where he was a Mid-Atlantic U16 First Team All-Conference selection and a member of the USYS 05 Boys Red squad that captured the 2022 Eastern Regional Championships. Additionally, he played for Justice High School. At Justice, Weber was a First Team All-District and Second Team All-Region selection in 2020-2021.
 
Samol on Weber:
"Jared is a local product that we've gotten to know very well through his time playing at Arlington SA. He's a versatile attacking player who can use both feet and we see him being most comfortable in the wide areas. He can be slippery and elusive in 1v1 situations, but he can also play with his head up and combine. Jared has great pace and athleticism, and we are excited about his future at AU."
 


For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_MSoccer), Facebook (/AU.MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).