NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Kylie Stannard, the 5K Corral Head Coach of Yale men's soccer, will welcome a strong Class of 2029 to campus this fall. The eight-member class includes athletes from seven different states, a transfer player, and an international student. Yale's Class of 2029 is ranked No. 32 in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer.

"We are very eager for this recruiting class to officially join the Yale men's soccer family," Stannard said. "I want to thank my coaching staff from the past couple of years that played a big part in helping put this class together that I think has potential to be special.  This group adds a lot of quality and depth across all positions, and we anticipate several of them have the potential to push our current squad and contribute right away."

The 2025 Bulldogs return over a dozen experienced players as they aim to get back to the Ivy League and NCAA Tournament, just as they did two seasons ago.

Yale graduated several key seniors from last year's squad including 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Presthus. Players from the talented Class of 2029 are expected to compete for playing time.

"We have lost a lot of quality and experience over the past couple of seasons, and we expect a lot of competition in all positions this year," Stannard said. "We are excited to see who steps up to the challenge."

Here is a closer look at the Class of 2029:
 
Billy Altirs
Midfielder
6-0, 165
Saddle River, N.J.
Dwight Englewood School
Cedar Stars Academy
 
Club: Competed for Cedar Stars Academy… Won MVP at Capelli Cup in Denmark… Competed in MLS NEXT Playoffs

Personal: Has two siblings who were college athletes at Penn and Dartmouth… Enjoys playing golf, listening to music, and running.

3 Questions for Altirs
Biggest Soccer Influence? "My biggest soccer influence is Cristiano Ronaldo. Growing up I always admired his discipline to be the best at what he does. I remember watching his documentary and it really showed me what is necessary to be a professional soccer player. As a kid I would watch his YouTube highlights everyday and it would inspire me to do some of the skills he did in games."

Do you have a hero or idol? "My idol is my father. His story of being an immigrant from Lebanon that came to America with nearly no money, motivates me everyday to do the best I can."

Why Yale? "I selected Yale because of the incomparable balance of athletics and academics. Being last year's Ivy League Tournament champions, Yale Men's Soccer Team clearly has a competitive and hardworking environment which I want to be part of."

Stannard on Altirs: "Billy comes from a soccer family and lives and breathes the game, which helps continue to improve our soccer passion within the team. He possesses good technical ability, a solid engine, and a knack for producing end product in the final third with assists and goals. He will bring some composure in possession but also a 'killer instinct' in our attacking half. 
 
John Henry Hampel
Defender
Roswell, GA
6-0, 175
Roswell High School
NASA, Southern Soccer Academy
 
High School: Two-time All-Region… Team Defensive MVP… Team captain

Club: ECNL Southeast Region Champions… Three-time National qualifier… ODP Southeast Region Team

Academic Honors: Atlanta Journal Constitution Award winner… Four-time Tom Zachary award winner… All-County Academic Team… AP Scholar with Distinction… Two-time student council president

Personal: Enjoys golfing, running, cooking… Has visited over 20 different countries… Uncle is a Navy pilot and inspired him to join the military

3 Questions for Hampel
Biggest Soccer Influence? "Paul Scholes because when I was younger, I was told I looked like him by my first coach and began to follow him and Manchester United. He inspired me because he was a primary facilitator of the United team and was a workhorse. He also was part of a team that won nearly every competition they competed in and would even score goals."

Do you have a hero or idol? "My heroes are my Mom and my younger siblings."

Why Yale? "I chose Yale because they cultivate supportive communities, enriching experiences, and authentic relationships by utilizing the residential college system. Yale provides the incredible opportunity to learn from the best professors in the world surrounded by a population of driven and inspiring students."

Stannard on Hampel: "Henry is a welcome addition that came to us late after attending an ID camp. He is a versatile defender that actually loves the defensive side of the ball, which is most important in our program. He is a player that will give everything he has on and off the field and will be extremely coachable and a selfless teammate. He will also balance being part of the Navy ROTC program at Yale."

 
Nathan Harmon
Midfielder/Defender
St. Louis, MO
5-11, 165
Ladue Hortan Watkins High School
St. Louis City
 
Club: MLS NEXT Semifinalist… UPSL National Runner-up… Two-time UPSL District Champions

Personal: Enjoys golfing, cooking, and volunteering

3 Questions for Harmon
Biggest Soccer Influence? "Rodrigo De Paul is my biggest soccer influence because of the passion and heart he plays with. Also the flair and craziness that he possess."

Do you have a hero or idol? "My idol is my grandma."

Why Yale? "After research and conversations, I realized Yale offers the perfect environment for me to stay motivated and achieve my goals in all three aspects of my life. The outgoing people, dedicated soccer team, and curious academics provide a balance I can't pass up. The team is also super welcoming and the coaching staff is incredibly helpful."

Stannard on Harmon: "Nate comes from a great background at St. Louis City and Scott Gallagher where he is coached heavily on both sides of the ball. Nate has played every position in the central and wide midfield positions, as well as a striker. I can also see him competing as an outside back in the future. He is a technical player that wants to attack and play forward first, but also has the mentality to work and compete defensively. Nate is another player that really made his mark by attending one of our ID camps."


Caleb Layton
Defender
Arlington, VA
6-1, 190
Washington-Liberty High School
Arlington Soccer Association
 
Club: USYS National Champions

Academic Honors: Completed a full IB Diploma… Ranked first in high school class… Awarded a seal of biliteracy in French

Personal: Both parents played soccer at Johns Hopkins University… Spent gap year in Belgium and Finland

3 Questions for Layton
Biggest Soccer Influence? "Honestly, my biggest soccer influence is my dad. Because of him, I grew up with a soccer ball at my feet and a game on the TV. He came to every one of my games he could, and although he always critiqued every little detail afterward, that attention to detail is what really helped me grow as a player. Having been both a player and coach (at JHU and for ODP), I always had complete trust in his judgment. The path he helped me lay out provided me with both first-division professional opportunities and this amazing opportunity at Yale. My father's passion, work, and faith have opened all the doors for me as an aspiring soccer player, and because of that, I don't think anyone will match the impact he has had on me."

Do you have a hero or idol? "Again, I would say that my idol is my dad. He worked so hard to get to where he is today and I truly admire his determination and work ethic. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be like him, starting soccer because of him and becoming interested in my intended major because of him. He has always told me that he 'wants me to be better than him in every way', and that has pushed me to develop in every aspect of my life."

Why Yale? "Since the first time I visited, Yale has just felt like home. After my first conversation with the players, the team seemed like a true brotherhood, and from my first time working with the coaches, I felt a strong mutual respect. Those feelings combined with the impressive athletic performances and elite academics have kept Yale at the top of my recruiting list since I began the process."

Stannard on Layton: "Caleb attended a couple of our camps and showed continuous improvement. He is very strong and will bring important toughness and physicality that our group needs.  He is a versatile defender that can play anywhere across the back line. After taking a gap year and spending time in Finland and Belgium, he is even more prepared for the rigors of Division I soccer."

Josh Linebaugh
Goalkeeper
Greenville, S.C.
6-4, 195
Saint Joseph's Catholic School
CESA Triumph ECNL
 
High School: Three-time All-State… Three-time All-Region… Two-time state champion… 58 career wins

Club: ECRL Southeast Conference champions

Academic Honors: National Honor Society… West Point Leadership Award… Wofford Scholars Program… High Point Book Award… Outstanding Statesman

Personal: Enjoys weightlifting and video games… Ambassador for U.S. Center for Mental Health and Sport

3 Questions for Linebaugh
Biggest Soccer Influence? "My biggest soccer influence is Manuel Neuer, coming from a German lineage, I have always loved watching Neuer on the international stage. However, the way he played with such creativity and bravery caught my attention. He can play with his feet and is confident in his ability to do so, which allows his team to keep a high line and be more offensive."

Do you have a hero or idol? "My mom is my hero, always serving our family and others without any complaint. Our door is always open to anyone needing a place of refuge, safety or just a good laugh. It is through her acts of service her desire is to teach us we should discover something new daily and we never stop growing and learning."

Why Yale? "The environment that Coach Kylie and his staff have cultivated showed me that Yale was meant to be my home away from home for the next 4 years. Not only is the current team a family but so are previous players and the surrounding community."

Stannard on Linebaugh: "Josh is someone that wowed us at our ID camp and has immense potential to be one of the top GKs in the Ivy League if he puts in the work and commitment that is needed to refine the details of the position. He is very athletic, with good size, strong hands, and a good kicking game. I expect him to compete with our current GKs to help elevate the group as a whole."


Andrew Myerson
Defender
Issaquah, WA
6-1, 185
Issaquah High School
Transfer from Duke University

At Duke: Redshirted in 2023… Appeared in three matches, tallying one goal and one assist in 2024

Club: ECNL Northwest Conference Champions… Played at Barca Residency Academy U19 MLS NEXT

Academic Honors: Dean's List with Distinction at Duke… Tutta Bella Scholar-Athlete Award… Ap Scholar with Distinction

Personal: Enjoys playing guitar, pickle ball and hiking… Volunteered at FareStart, Habitat for Humanity, Northwest Harvest, and Open Table Ministries

3 Questions for Myerson
Biggest Soccer Influence? "No one has influenced my soccer journey more than my first club coach and lifelong mentor, Andrew Dortch. He nurtured my love for the game while instilling the foundational principles of discipline and integrity that continue to shape how I play and live. His lessons extended beyond the field—he cared deeply about how the sport could shape me into a better human being. His seamless balance of unwavering support and tough love has guided me through every high and low, and the invaluable life lessons he shared have profoundly shaped my development both on and off the field."

Do you have a hero or idol? "My idol and favorite athlete of all time is Kobe Bryant. His relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering dedication to his craft deeply inspired me as a young soccer player. Kobe's obsessive work ethic, competitive fire, and uncompromising standards continue to shape the mindset I bring to both training and competition."

Why Yale? "Yale presents a truly exceptional environment to continue growing as a scholar-athlete, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a competitive Ivy League soccer program while pushing myself academically. I'm eager to immerse myself in the unique blend of world-class academics, interdisciplinary learning, and a vibrant community of diverse, high-achieving individuals. Once in New Haven, I'm confident I can contribute immediately to Coach Stannard's talented team and thrive in a culture that values discipline, leadership, and ambition."

Stannard on Myerson: "Andrew is an exciting addition that helps fill a much-needed void of current Division I experience and maturity that will help boost our defensive group after losing our entire starting back line after last season. He has great leadership potential and will bring needed vocal presence on the field, as well.  Andrew also has versatility to play across the entire back line or even in the CM."
 
Sebi Roy
Forward
Commerce Township, MI
6-3, 200
Clarkston High School
Nationals Soccer
 
High School: Michigan Mr. Soccer… Gatorade Player of the Year… First Team All-American… Two-time All-State… Two-time All-Region… Two-time All-District

Club: ECNL National Playoffs… Led team in points

Academic Honors: All- Association Scholar-Athlete

Personal: Father played soccer for University of Wisconsin-Madison where he won the Division I National Championship… Sister plays soccer for Notre Dame… Enjoys reading and cooking

3 Questions for Roy
Biggest Soccer Influence? "My father is the biggest influence on my soccer. He has spent more hours training me than every other coach/team I have played for combined."

Do you have a hero or idol? "I respect true comedians, the individuals who actually understand their responsibility to speak some truth to power."

Why Yale? "Yale's focus on excellence, leadership, discipline, and teamwork skills within all aspects of life, is an education I have always strived for. This all-encompassing approach to education, coupled with the unparalleled fostering of close-knit relationships, is what I believe makes Yale so special and it is why I selected it."

Stannard on Roy: "Sebi is someone we have tracked the past couple of years after attending a camp. He has some similar attributes to previous All-Ivy strikers we have had in recent years. He will bring much needed size, physicality, hold up play, and a relentless will to score. He is very capable with both feet and takes pride in getting most shots on target which makes for being very efficient with the limited chances at this level."

 
Angelo Zhu
Midfielder
Shanghai, China
5-8, 145
University-Hill Secondary School
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
 
Club: Selected for Provisional Squad for Canadian National Team U-17 World Cup… League 1 BC Playoff Cup semifinalists

Personal: Lived in China for eight years and Canada for 10… Spent gap year in Spain… Enjoys playing guitar, cooking, traveling

3 Questions for Zhu
Biggest Soccer Influence? "One of the biggest influences on my soccer journey, aside from my parents, is Nick Dasovic. When he took over midway through my U17 season, he taught me a lesson that stuck: 'Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.' His guidance pushed me to give 100% in everything I do, regardless of where I am or who's watching. It shaped not just the player I am, but the person I've become, always striving to put in the effort needed to succeed."

Do you have a hero or idol? "Cristiano Ronaldo is someone who I have always looked up to. I remember waking up at 3am with my dad to watch him play in the world cup."

Why Yale? "I chose Yale because of the exceptional coaching staff and the professional environment that surrounds the team. The top-tier program, facilities, and culture provide me with the best opportunity to pursue a professional soccer career after graduation. Additionally, I'm excited to meet incredible people from all over the world and be exposed to diverse cultures. One standout for me is Tsai, a center dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship. As someone who aspires to be an entrepreneur, the resources and support Tsai offers would provide invaluable guidance in helping me launch and grow a successful business from the ground up."

Stannard on Zhu: "Angelo is another player that wowed us at an ID camp to confirm the moments we saw when he was playing with the Vancouver Whitecaps. He is a very dynamic and creative attacking player that has a lot of similar attributes to a previous All-Ivy player for us, Max Rogers. His ability to create space and time with his technical ability, soccer IQ, and elite quickness will be a huge addition to our attacking options."