Marquette University Athletics
MSOC Announces First Two Signees to 2022 Class
11/11/2021 5:08:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Lucas Nesthus and Diegoarmando Alvarado sign National Letters of Intent
MILWAUKEE – Marquette University men's soccer head coach Louis Bennett and staff announced the first two signees to the team's 2022 recruiting class on Thursday afternoon.
Joining the Golden Eagles will be Lucas Nesthus, a forward from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and Diegoarmando Alvarado, a defender from Addison, Illinois.
"This is the first class following COVID so it's very important that we get this one right. We want to make sure that whoever we bring in can continue to help and improve the program, and we also want to continue to bring in good human beings. Both check that box, and we're really happy about it. The two that we're announcing today will fit right in, then the players that we will announce in January will enhance the whole group."
Lucas Nesthus | Forward | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Pewaukee HS / SC Wave 2003
Prior to Marquette: Prepped at Pewaukee High School, while playing club soccer for SC Wave 2003… Is a four-year letterwinner and a first team all-conference honoree… Scored 33 goals and recorded 14 assists for the Pirates in 2021… Led Pewaukee to three regional championships and one conference championship… Helped SC Wave 2003 to a club state championship.
Why He Chose MU: "It's a great coaching staff that recruited me to play at a high level. It's close to home, which is another bonus, but it has some of the best education in the area. Marquette has been recommended by many close friends and family. I have toured the campus and have seen and admired the university, and I've been aspiring to go to Marquette ever since I was little."
Coach Bennett: "Lucas is simply one of the best strikers in the area. We always look local first. We needed a guy that knows where the goal is, and a guy that really knows what it means to be a Marquette player. He came to camp when he was really young, then he came again, and we've watched him progress. This is a guy who could have gone on into several MLS academies, but he decided to stay home with SC Wave, a very good program. He's been coached well. With several of our strikers leaving, we needed to make sure to replace them."
Diegoarmando Alvarado | Defender | Addison, Illinois | Chicago Fire Academy
Prior to Marquette: Competed with the Chicago Fire U19 squad and started 19 of 20 games during the 2020 MLS Next Campaign, totaling 1,755 minutes… Helped lead the Fire to the MLS Next Cup title, recording three goals and two assists during the tournament… Has been called up to two domestic US Youth National Team camps and competed at three USYNT regional training centers… Recently trained with the Chicago Fire FC first team.
Why He Chose MU: "I chose Marquette University because I believe that I am in an environment where I can get out of my comfort zone and grow and become the best version of myself. The coaching staff believed in me from the start and made me feel that I can contribute to the team. Marquette feels like a home away from home because of the culture and relative distance to my family."
Coach Bennett: "We wanted to enhance and improve our squad at outside attacking back, and Diego is a left-footed attacking left back that has had an extensive MLS academy career. He's been with the U23's and he's trained with the first team, so he's accomplished. We feel that he's got a lot to offer. He's going to fit in with the dynamic that we need, and he's certainly going to be a guy that is training and pushing in personal practice to improve himself.
Joining the Golden Eagles will be Lucas Nesthus, a forward from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and Diegoarmando Alvarado, a defender from Addison, Illinois.
"This is the first class following COVID so it's very important that we get this one right. We want to make sure that whoever we bring in can continue to help and improve the program, and we also want to continue to bring in good human beings. Both check that box, and we're really happy about it. The two that we're announcing today will fit right in, then the players that we will announce in January will enhance the whole group."
Lucas Nesthus | Forward | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Pewaukee HS / SC Wave 2003
Prior to Marquette: Prepped at Pewaukee High School, while playing club soccer for SC Wave 2003… Is a four-year letterwinner and a first team all-conference honoree… Scored 33 goals and recorded 14 assists for the Pirates in 2021… Led Pewaukee to three regional championships and one conference championship… Helped SC Wave 2003 to a club state championship.
Why He Chose MU: "It's a great coaching staff that recruited me to play at a high level. It's close to home, which is another bonus, but it has some of the best education in the area. Marquette has been recommended by many close friends and family. I have toured the campus and have seen and admired the university, and I've been aspiring to go to Marquette ever since I was little."
Coach Bennett: "Lucas is simply one of the best strikers in the area. We always look local first. We needed a guy that knows where the goal is, and a guy that really knows what it means to be a Marquette player. He came to camp when he was really young, then he came again, and we've watched him progress. This is a guy who could have gone on into several MLS academies, but he decided to stay home with SC Wave, a very good program. He's been coached well. With several of our strikers leaving, we needed to make sure to replace them."
Diegoarmando Alvarado | Defender | Addison, Illinois | Chicago Fire Academy
Prior to Marquette: Competed with the Chicago Fire U19 squad and started 19 of 20 games during the 2020 MLS Next Campaign, totaling 1,755 minutes… Helped lead the Fire to the MLS Next Cup title, recording three goals and two assists during the tournament… Has been called up to two domestic US Youth National Team camps and competed at three USYNT regional training centers… Recently trained with the Chicago Fire FC first team.
Why He Chose MU: "I chose Marquette University because I believe that I am in an environment where I can get out of my comfort zone and grow and become the best version of myself. The coaching staff believed in me from the start and made me feel that I can contribute to the team. Marquette feels like a home away from home because of the culture and relative distance to my family."
Coach Bennett: "We wanted to enhance and improve our squad at outside attacking back, and Diego is a left-footed attacking left back that has had an extensive MLS academy career. He's been with the U23's and he's trained with the first team, so he's accomplished. We feel that he's got a lot to offer. He's going to fit in with the dynamic that we need, and he's certainly going to be a guy that is training and pushing in personal practice to improve himself.
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