OREM, Utah — Utah Valley men's soccer head coach Michael Chesler has announced the addition of 11 athletes to his spring roster, highlighted by the return of 2022 WAC Freshman of the Year Owen Knecht.
Among the 11 additions, Chesler is bringing in four forwards, two midfielders, four defenders, and one goalkeeper.
FORWARDS
OWEN KNECHT - JUNIOR | AMERICAN FORK, UT
Knecht, who was a member of the team from 2022-23, rejoins the squad after returning from his two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Paraguay. In 2022, Knecht led all WAC freshmen with three goals in league play, and led the Wolverines in assists in 2023 with five. Owen's brother, Lewis, was on the team in 2025 and will also be serving a mission in Chile for the next two years.
CHRISTIAN POLL - FRESHMAN | LEHI, UT | SKYRIDGE HS
Poll prepped at Skyridge HS, where he helped lead the Falcons to the state semifinals before falling to Lewis Knecht's American Fork HS. Poll led his team with 14 goals scored in 2025, and also added three assists. Poll played his club soccer for Utah Avalanche.
LANDON CHRISTIANSEN - RS-SOPHOMORE | CLEARFIELD, UT | UW-RIVER FALLS
Christiansen returns to Utah after spending the 2024 season at D-III UW-River Falls. Christiansen was named to the All-WIAC first team and was the WIAC Newcomer of the Year after scoring 12 goals and adding six assists. Prior to UWRF, Christiansen prepped at Somerset HS in Wisconsin.
ABE ASHBY - JUNIOR | FARMINGTON, UT | SALT LAKE CC/INCARNATE WORD
Ashby spent the 2025 season at JUCO power Salt Lake CC, where he finished tied for second on the team with five goals. Ashby played his freshman season at former WAC rival Incarnate Word in 2022, where he scored two goals and an assist in 12 games played.
MIDFIELDERS
IDIN FAKHRI - JUNIOR | KIRKLAND, WA | HIGHLINE COLLEGE
Fakhri spent the last two seasons at Highline College in Washington, where he helped lead his team to an NWAC championship in 2025 with 15 goals and nine assists. Fakhri was teammates with Mason Abdella in 2024, as well as fellow newcomer Mykah Harris for the last two seasons. Prior to Highline, Fakhri played his club soccer for the Seattle Sounders Academy.
BRILEY ALBA - SOPHOMORE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | EAST HS | UTAH RED WOLVES
Alba prepped at East HS in Salt Lake, where he helped lead the Leopards to the state quarterfinals as a senior. During that campaign, Alba had five goals and seven assists. Alba played his club soccer for the Utah Red Wolves.
DEFENDERS
MAX PALMER - JUNIOR | SOUTH JORDAN, UT | SNOW COLLEGE
Palmer played the 2025 season at Snow College, where he helped lead the Badgers to their first-ever SWAC title and a runner-up finish in the Region 18 tournament. Palmer scored three goals and added an assist during the 2025 season. Prior to Snow, Palmer played his freshman year at USU-Eastern in 2021, prepped at Mountain Ridge HS, and played his club soccer for Utah Avalanche.
BRAYDEN TESTER - JUNIOR | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | WRIGHT STATE
Tester spent the last two seasons at Wright State, where he appeared in 28 games with 15 starts and scored three goals with one assist. Prior to WSU, Tester prepped at Rampart HS in Colorado Springs, where he earned first team All-State honors and netted 30 career goals.
MYKAH HARRIS - JUNIOR | FIFE, WA | HIGHLINE COLLEGE
Harris also spent the last two seasons at NWAC power Highline College, where he was named league defensive player of the year. Harris was teammates with fellow newcomer Idin Fakhri the last two seasons, and was also teammates with Mason Abdella in 2024.
DODI MAKASSA - JUNIOR | HERRIMAN, UT | USU-EASTERN
Makassa spent the last two seasons at USUE, where he appeared in 32 games with 29 starts. Prior to USUE, Makassa prepped at West HS and had tremendous success in youth soccer, earning selections to the Utah ODP U13 and U14 teams, as well as signing an academy contract with RSL.
GOALKEEPER
JACKSON MEDINA - RS-SOPHOMORE | HEBER CITY, UT | SALT LAKE CC
Medina returns to Utah Valley after spending his redshirt freshman campaign at SLCC. Medina helped lead the Bruins to a Region 18 title, posting an impressive 0.79 goals-against average in 17 games played. Medina spent his first season of collegiate soccer at UVU in 2024, but did not see any action. Medina prepped at Wasatch HS where he was a three-time state champion.
