As the 2024 USL League Two gets closer, the Long Island Rough Riders men are bulking up for another season.
They recently added West Virginia University’s Ethan Dakel Daks, Fordham University’s Daniel D’Ipolllito, University of Wisconsin’s Trip Fleming, Georgia State’s Justin McLean, Northwestern University’s Nigel Prince, and Boston College’s CJ Williams.
In alphabetical order, here is a quick look at the newcomers to the roster:
Ethan Dakel Daks (West Virginia University)
Dekel Daks, a midfielder, joined WVU for the 2024 spring semester after playing two years at the University of South Carolina. He was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region third team and earned All-Sun Belt first-team honors in 2023, after collecting four goals and two assists in 17 appearances. Dakel Daks also was selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
A native of Nottingham, England, Dekel Daks performed for Nottingham Forest Academy. He was called up to England Under-15 National Team and played two matches against the United States. Dekel Daks was selected to England’s U-16 international camp and Israel’s U-17 and U-18 international camps.
Daniel D’Ipollito (Fordham University)
D’Ipollito joins the Rough Riders as a highly touted player. In 2021, he was named an All-American by United Soccer Coaches and the New York State Gatorade Player of the Year, after recording 36 goals and 38 assists. The 5-foot-11, 170-lb. D’Ipollito also was a major factor in Somers High School’s run to the New York state boys soccer championship that year with a 22-1 mark.
Last year with the Rams, D’Ipollito, a sophomore, scored four goals and added three assists in 17 matches.
Trip Fleming (University of Wisconsin)
Fleming, who is completing his freshman year, enjoyed quite a first season for the Badgers, starting all 17 games. The midfielder did not record a point. Fleming was on the field for all but one Wisconsin goal.
The Libertyville, Ill. native competed for the Chicago Fire Academy and Chicago Fire FC II in MLS Next Pro. In 2022, Fleming was invited to the Chicago Fire first team preseason and performed in a pair of first team friendlies.
Justin McLean (Georgia State University)
McLean, a midfielder, is coming off a sophomore season in which he tallied four goals and five assists in 18 games. He started all but one match. The 6-foot, 175-lb. McLean played at the Atlanta United Academy since the U-12 level.
At Central Gwinnett High School in Georgia, McLean was named regional player of the year and earned All-County honors. His senior year was his best campaign, scoring 15 goals and registered 14 assists.
Nigel Prince (Northwestern University)
Another Atlanta United Academy product, Prince captained every youth team he played on, in the club. He has played with the Jamaica Under-20 national team. As a sophomore last fall, Prince led the Wildcats in minutes (playing 99.6 percent of the time), while starting 17 games. He finished the season with a goal and an assist.
Prince, a defender, was named to the All-Big Ten first team and to the conference’s all-tournament team last fall. He attended Forsyth Academy.
CJ Williams (Boston College)
A resident of Valley Stream, N.Y., the 6-2, 183-lb. Williams started all 16 games he played in for the Eagles, scoring once. He played all 90 minutes in a match eight times.
He picked up plenty of experience locally, playing for the New York Cosmos Academy, New York City FC Academy, New York Red Bulls Academy and the Met Oval. Williams also ran middle distance in track in high school.
The Rough Riders men will kick off their season as part of a doubleheader at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y. on Sunday, May 19. The men’s team will host New Jersey Copa FC at 6 p.m. after the women’s squad welcome the Westchester Flames in a USL W League match at 3 p.m.
Stay tuned to www.LIRoughRiders.com for further updates on the team and club.