DETROIT (8/4/23) – First-year Detroit Mercy Men's Soccer Head Coach Nate Kopunek has finalized the 2023 roster with the signing of seven newcomers in
Josh Copeland,
Joey Iaquaniello,
Ryan Moody,
Drew Pierson,
Silas Rustin,
Viktor Sulc and
Diego Zermeno.
Josh Copeland – MF
Hometown: Macomb, Mich.
High School: Brother Rice
Club Team: Liverpool
Highlights:
• Three-time First-Team All-State selection (2020-23) and three-time All-Catholic League selection (2020-23)
• Recorded 45 goals and 22 assists in high school career
• Helped lead Brother Rice reach two Division II State semifinals appearances
• Three-year letter winner for Head Coach Danny Price
Joey Iaquaniello – D
Hometown: Milford, Mich.
High School: Walled Lake Northern
Club Team: Michigan Jaguars
Highlights:
• Three-time Lakes Valley Conference selection as a sophomore, junior and senior; Honorable mention as a freshman
• All-District, All-Region, Third-Team All-State selection as a senior
• Helped lead the Jaguars win consecutive State Cup titles in 2022 and 2023
• Four-year letter winner for Head Coach Mario Tartaglia
Ryan Moody – D
Hometown: Sterling Heights, Mich.
High School: Cousino
Club Team: Michigan Wolves
Highlights:
• Helped lead Cousino to a MAC White Division championship
• Named to the All-District Team as a sophomore
• Helped lead the Wolves to three State Cup titles and a National Championship semi-final appearance
• Two-year letter winner for Head Coach Kelsie Brown
Drew Pierson – D
Hometown: Plymouth, Mich.
High School: Detroit Catholic Central
Club Team: Michigan Jaguars
Highlights:
• Helped lead the Shamrocks to the MSHAA Division I State Championship (2020)
• Division I All-State First Team, All-Region, All-District, All-Catholic League selection and Team MVP as a senior (2022)
• Hometown Life All-Area Co-Player of the Year, Detroit Free Press and CHSL Scholar Athlete Nominee (2022)
• All-Catholic League and All-District Team selection and Team MVP (2021)
• Helped the Jaguars win two State Cup titles (2022, 2023)
• Three-year letter winner and team captain as a senior for Head Coach Gene Pulice
Silas Rustin – MF
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
Previous School: Madonna
High School: North Farmington
Club Team: Wolves Academy
Highlights:
• Saw action in 15 games making two starts over a two-year span at Madonna helping the Crusaders to a conference championship (2021).
• Recoded one assist
Viktor Sulc – GK
Hometown: Pilsen, Czech Republic
Previous School: Davis & Elkins College
High School: Sports Grammar School
Club Team: FC Viktoria Plzen
Highlights:
• Started in all five games posting a perfect 5-0 record while making five total saves on 17 shots faced for Davis & Elkins in 2022
• Recoded three shutouts while allowing only two goals for a 0.40 goals against average.
Diego Zermeno – MF
Hometown: León, Guanajuato, Mexico
High School: Subire Business School
Club Team: Club León FC
Highlights:
• Helped lead Subire to a School Tournament Championship
• Three-year varsity letter winner for Head Coach Humberto Gonzalez
