Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Missouri State

Soccer Team Huddle

Men’s Soccer Announces Spring Signing Class

January 30, 2026

SPRINGFIELD - The Missouri State men's soccer fall 2026 signing class is welcoming 14 new players to its roster. Head coach Michael Seabolt has announced that the new additions to the squad are Marc Ballart, Will Clift, Ben Furlong, Nicolae Velicico, Thomas Rodella, Alessandro Dentalle, Tom Unwin, Thomas Way, Stan Klaver, Lohan Piorier, Marco Rosati, Jack Kehoe, Fernando Alves Schmelz, and Christopher Hull.

"This spring 2026 class brings an outstanding combination of experience, talent, and competitive mentality that will raise the level of our program immediately," stated Seabolt.

"With proven contributors at multiple positions and exciting young players with high upside, this group adds depth, leadership, and quality across the field while setting a strong foundation for the future. A big thank you to the coaching staff and especially Micah Adkins-Estes for their contribution to the recruiting." 

The fall signing class become Bears as MSU men's soccer prepares for a second season in the American Conference.
 
The players joining the Bears this fall are:

Marc Ballart (Sophomore, Midfielder, 6-0, 171, Penaguila, Spain)

Ballart joins the Bears as a transfer from Post University, where he competed in the Fall 2024 earning the conference regular season champion title. At Post he was the team leader, scoring five goals and four assists. He attended high school at Woodstock Academy, where he started for the two seasons he was in attendance.

"Marc is a top-level player we have had our eye on for some time and expect to make an immediate impact. He brings the perfect blend of Spanish footballing roots and a strong understanding of the American game," stated Seabolt.

Will Clift (Freshman, Midfielder, 5-8, 165, Stockport, England)

Clift is welcomed to Missouri from England upon graduating from Cheadle Hulme School where he started all four seasons and reached the ISFA final in his senior year.

"Will is a dynamic midfielder with high energy and strong technical ability. We are excited to watch him continue to grow and develop into a key contributor in the middle of the pitch," stated Seabolt.

Ben Furlong (Freshman, Midfielder, 5-7, 139, Liverpool, England)

Furlong joins the Bears from England upon graduating from Neston High School, where he won the National School Boy championship in 2022. His sister Ella played soccer at San Diego State and has now transferred to Shepherd University.

"Ben is an extremely creative player with outstanding vision and distribution. His ability to unlock defenses and dictate play will be a major asset for the Bears this Spring," stated Seabolt.

Nicolae Velicico (Freshman, Midfielder, 6-0, 157, Montreal, Canada)

Velicico is welcomed to Missouri from Montreal, Canada upon graduating from the Woodstock Academy where he played in the Prep Premier League. As a junior in high school, he won a national championship and the Prep Premier League championship.

"Nicolae is a creative attacking player who brings flair and intelligence to the final third. He will be an important piece for the Bears for many years to come," stated Seabolt.

Thomas Rodella (Sophomore, Forward, 5-11, 165, Verona, Italy)

Rodella is welcomed to Missouri as a transfer from Life University where he competed in the 2024-2025 seasons. Rodella earned regular-season and conference tournament championships, and individually earned All-American, Golden Boots, freshman of the year and first team all-conference honors.

"Thomas is a top striker who we expect to be a standout performer for the Bears. His goal-scoring instincts and presence up top will cause problems for opposing defenses," stated Seabolt.

Alessandro Dentale (Freshman, Midfielder, 5-11, 161, Peschiera del Garda, Italy)

Dentale joins the Bears from Italy upon graduating from ITIS Guglielmo Marconi and playing for Hellas Verona. His brother Lorenzo Dentale also competed for Missouri State in the men's soccer team from 2020-2023.

"Alessandro continues the strong Bears legacy left by his older brother. He arrives motivated to build on that success and make his own mark within the program. He is a proven goal scorer with a top background," stated Seabolt.

Tom Unwin (Freshman, Midfielder, 5-9, 150, Cambridge, England)

Unwin joins the Bears from England upon graduating from Nene Park Academy, and competed for Peterborough United in the under-18 Player Development League. As a sophomore in high school he won the under-18 PDL cup in 2023, and was the under-16 PDL cup runner up in the same year. As a senior he won the under-18 PDL cup again in 2025.

"Tom is a high-quality left-footed player with an excellent ability to carry the ball forward. His composure and drive from deeper areas add an important dimension to our attack," stated Seabolt. 

Thomas Way (Freshman, Goalkeeper, 5-11, 170, Birmingham, England)

Way joins the Bears upon graduating from Alcester Grammar School. He developed as a junior in various English academies, West Brom from the age of 6-10, Coventry City from the age of 10-16, and Cheltenham Town from age 16-19. His aunt Jo Wise competed in long jump for England, winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal and competing in two Olympics.

"Thomas is a talented English goalkeeper with all the tools to develop into a top-level presence between the posts," stated Seabolt.

Stan Klaver (Sophomore, Defender, 6-1, 161, Woerden, Netherlands)

Klaver is welcomed to Missouri as a transfer from IU Indianapolis where he competed in the 2024-2025 seasons. While at Indianapolis, he scored four goals and made three assists, and was the team assist leader in his freshman year and top goal scorer in his sophomore year.

"Stan is a great transfer addition who brings leadership and experience from a competitive IU Indy team that will translate to areas where we need it most. His presence will elevate those around him on and off the field. He also has shown an ability to get forward from defense and add to the attack," stated Seabolt.

Lohan Poirier (Freshman, Forward, 5-11, 168, Drummondville, Canada)

Poirier joins the Bears as a transfer from Kansas City Kansas Community College where he competed in the 2025 season where in nine games, he scored five goals and one assist.

"Lohan is a top JUCO attacker who is dynamic in 1v1 situations. His pace, confidence, and attacking mentality make him a constant threat going forward," stated Seabolt.

Marco Rosati (Freshman, Defender, 5-10, 154, Rome, Italy)

Rosati is welcomed to Missouri upon graduating from high school and competing for FC Pompei.

"Marco is a strong and gritty defender who will help solidify our backline. His toughness and commitment will set the tone defensively. He is a good passer and has experience playing at a strong level," stated Seabolt.

Jack Kehoe (Sophomore, Midfielder, 6-1, 166, Dublin, Ireland)

Kehoe joins the Bears as a transfer from Mount St Mary's University where he competed from in the 2024-2025 seasons. In his freshman year he scored one goal and made two assists, and in his sophomore year he scored three goals and made one assist. He also earned an All-Conference Player of the Week honor.

"Jack is a top midfielder who is not afraid to do the hard work. Having prior NCAA Division I experience he brings valuable experience and leadership to the group," stated Seabolt.

Fernando Alves Schmelz (Sophomore, Goalkeeper, 6-3, 183, Lisbon, Portugal)

Alves Schmelz is welcomed to Missouri as a transfer from Iona University where he competed in the 2024-2025 seasons, winning the 2024 MAAC Championship. Individually he earned All-MAAC second team honors as a freshman and All-MAAC third team honors as a sophomore along with multiple player of the week and defensive player of the week accolades. He graduated from the Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, where as a senior in high school he made the Portugal National Team call up for the under-18 and under-20 age groups in 2023.

"Fernando is an experienced goalkeeper who will come in and compete from day one. His time at Iona has prepared him well for the demands of our level and the American Conference," stated Seabolt.

Chris Hull (Sophomore, Midfielder, 5-10, 160, Bridgeport, Conn.)

Hull joins the Bears as a transfer from Lincoln University where he competed in the 2024-2025 seasons. As a sophomore, he went undefeated in conference play and made the round of 16 at nationals. He also earned All-conference second team accolades.

"Christopher is an electric, athletic winger who excels in 1v1 situations. His ability to get in behind defenses adds a dangerous attacking option out wide for the Bears this Spring. He also was part of a highly successful NCAA tournament Division II team," stated Seabolt. 

The Spring signing class joins a top group of returners as men's soccer prepares for a second season in the American Conference.

#WeAreMoState

Print Friendly Version

Sponsors