Bruins announce 2024 incoming transfers

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Bellevue University head men's soccer coach Mark Heath-Preston announced today the transfer signees in the Bruins' 2024 recruiting class.

The class is comprised of five student-athletes – Kyi Nicholson, Kenshin Akimoto, Edwin Cisneros, Alvaro Jacinto, and David Tschupp – all of whom have signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at BU beginning in the fall.

Kyi Nicholson • Manchester, England • Neosho County Community College

Nicholson comes to Bellevue from Neosho Community College in Chanute, Kan., where he played for two seasons under head coach Elliott Chadderton.

Nicholson registered a pair of assists and started all 16 games in which he played. The defender helped the Panthers win both the conference and NJCAA Region VI Championship last season.

Kenshin Akimoto • Chiba, Japan • Marshalltown Community College

Akimoto joins the Bruins after spending last season at Marshalltown Community College in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he was coached by Raphael Nascimento. Prior to coming stateside, Akimoto played his club soccer with Shoshi FC and coach Koji Nakamura in his native Japan.

Last season, Akimoto earned NJCAA Division II All-Tournament Team honors. He started 10 of 17 games in which he appeared, scoring eight goals and three assists, including bagging the game-winner over Hawkeye Community College late in the year.

Edwin Cisneros • Omaha, Neb. • Iowa Western Community College

Cisneros arrives at BU after two seasons at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he played under the tutelage of Mike Brown. He played his club soccer with Sporting Nebraska FC.

While at Omaha South High School, Cisneros was named the Gatorade Player of the Year and led the Packers to back-to-back State Championships. At Iowa Western, he helped lead the Reivers to the NJCAA Division I National Championship in 2021.

Alvaro Jacinto • Omaha, Neb. • Iowa Western Community College

Jacinto also makes his way across the river to join the Bellevue program after playing for coach Mike Brown for two seasons at Iowa Western Community College.

He won an NJCAA Division I National Championship with the Reivers in 2021, playing 50 minutes in the 2-0 Championship win over Arizona Western as IWCC handed the Matadors their only loss of the season.

David Tschupp • Immensee, Switzerland • Olivet Nazarene University

Tschupp joins the Bruins after transferring from fellow NAIA school Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., where he spent last season playing for coach Mark Tun. Back in his native Switzerland, he competed with club side FC Kickers Luzern.

Tschupp, a defender, appeared in 13 games for the Tigers last year, making eight starts. He scored a goal while helping post four shutouts as ONU reached the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.

The Bruins posted a 14-6-4 record in 2023 while winning their fourth-straight CAC titles and qualifying for a fourth-straight NAIA National Tournament where they reached the quarterfinals for the second time in program history.

Bellevue's men's soccer program has now won 14 conference tournament titles and qualified for 10 NAIA National Tournaments, advancing to the final site on six occasions.

BU kicks off the 2024 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 15 when they host Doane University from Papillion Landing.