Northwestern University Athletics
Payne Announces Addition of Five New Wildcats
6/7/2023 3:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern men's soccer welcomed the addition of five new Wildcats, head coach Russell Payne announced. The newest quintet of 'Cats will join Northwestern's eight signees previously announced in the fall in 2023.
Incoming transfers include graduate student midfielder Reese Mayer (Notre Dame; Owing Mills, Maryland), sophomore goalkeeper Rafael Ponce de León (Villanova; Pennington, New Jersey) and graduate student goalkeeper Jackson Weyman (South Florida and Marquette; Evanston, Illinois). Northwestern is also adding a pair of first-years in midfielder Peter Riesz (Vasas FC; Budapest, Hungary) and forward Italo Addimandi (Inter Miami II; Miami, Florida).
Reese Mayer | Owing Mills, Md. | University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame (2019-22): ACC Tournament Champion (2021)…Final Four appearance (2021)…started 21 games in a 56-game tenure for the Fighting Irish…scored two goals and added three assists in his career.
Club/High School: Attended McDonogh School…Made Dean's List all four years…Played five years for Baltimore Armour and was the U19 team captain…2014 USYSA National Championship Best XI selection.
Personal: Son of Greg and Stacy Mayer…Born Reese William Mayer on October 31, 2000…Brother Bryant will play alongside him as an incoming first-year for Northwestern and brother Jake plays at Loyola Maryland…Loves to fish…Intended major Data Science.
Rafael Ponce de León | Pennington, N.J. | Villanova University
High School: Started all four years at goalkeeper at Pennington School… Posted a 44-12-2 career record over four years… Recorded a clean sheet in 51% of matches… Two Time All-State Honorable Mention…Named Prep Player of the Year by The Trentonian… Selected as 2021 High School All-American alongside Wildcat teammate Henri Richter.
Club: Played for PDA MLS Next… Advanced to U17 MLS NEXT Final … Named U17 MLS NEXT Best Goalkeeper.
Personal: Son of Monica Saldivar and Rafael Ponce de León Treviño… Born Rafael Ponce de León on March 5, 2004… Anticipated major at Northwestern is communication studies.
Jackson Weyman | Evanston, Ill. | University of South Florida
South Florida (2021-22): Started all 20 games for South Florida in 2022…Made 69 saves with a save percentage of .697.
Marquette (2018-21): Started in nine games (4-4-1 record) for the Golden Eagles in 2019, making 33 saves and conceding 14 goals…Named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week and BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week in 2019…Three-time BIG EAST All-Academic honoree (2018-21).
Club/High School: Attended Evanston Township High School…Played four years for Chicago Fire Academy…in summer of 2018, he was a Chicago Fire first team reserve training player…His U16 squad qualified for the USSDA Final Four…Qualified for the Liga BBVA Bancomer Sub-15 Internaccional Tournament in Mexico City…U14 squad won the Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup.
Personal: Son of Scott and Amy Weyman…Born Jackson Modisette Weyman on February 15, 2000…Has two younger siblings, Ben and Eliza…His mom, Amy, is a Northwestern alum…No major declared.
Peter Riesz | Budapest, Hungary | Vasas FC
Secondary School/Club: Attended Alternative Economics Secondary School in Budapest…Featured for Vasas FC…Finished in second-place at U-19 Hungarian Championship.
Personal: Son of Peter Riesz and Beáta Árvai…Chose Northwestern over Cal…Born Peter Aron Riesz on September 23, 2003…Outside of soccer, he is interested in hiking and reading.
Italo Addimandi | Miami, Fla. | Inter Miami II
High School: Attended Academy for Innovative Education Charter School…Honor roll student and presidential honor roll
Club: Featured for Inter Miami II…On April 2, 2023, made his debut with the club against Philadelphia Union and got the winning assist after coming on as a sub during a 1-1 draw…Won U-17 MLS Next league…Made semifinals of the Generation Adidas Cup…Finished first place in U-19 UPLS league
Personal: Son of Italo Vittorio Addimandi and Yoana Hidalgo…Born Italo Eduardo Addimandi Hidalgo on March 22, 2005…Chose Northwestern over South Florida…Enjoys playing chess and making music…Intended major is Business Management.
