Men's Soccer Recognizes Recent Graduates
12/29/2020 9:45:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nico Engelking, Ziyad Fares, Kuba Polat and Yudai Tashiro each graduated this semester and have moved on from the program
OMAHA, Neb. – Creighton men's soccer's Nico Engelking, Ziyad Fares and Kuba Polat each graduated in December and have moved on from the Bluejay soccer program. Additionally, Yudai Tashiro recently signed to play professionally with Delfines Del Este FC in the Dominican Republic Professional Soccer League after graduating in August.
Tashiro secured a degree from the Heider College of Business in August and signed in mid-December with Defines Del Este FC. The Tokyo, Japan native led the Bluejays with six goals and claimed a spot on the 2019 All-BIG EAST First Team. Tashiro also added three assists during his senior campaign. The former Bluejay midfielder played two seasons at Creighton and totaled 20 points from seven goals and six assists, while appearing in 34 matches and making 32 starts.
Engelking earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations from the College of Arts and Sciences. The Wuerzburg, Germany native appeared in 12 matches during the 2019 season for the Bluejays, including seven starts. The midfielder scored a goal against Columbia and recorded 12 shots, two on goal. Engelking wrapped up his final semester of undergraduate classes remotely and held a public relations internship in the global department of Bosch in Germany. He will continue to work for Bosch and pursue a master's degree, while exploring opportunities to play soccer in hopes to secure a pro contract in the future.
Fares received a degree in marketing from the Heider College of Business. The midfielder spent two seasons at Creighton and played in 23 matches, including nine starts, before his senior season in the fall of 2019 ended prematurely because of an injury. During his first season as a Bluejay in 2018, Fares scored three goals and had two game-winners. He had a goal and an assist during Creighton's 2018 BIG EAST opener against Butler. Fares played two seasons at Yavapai College in Arizona before transferring to Omaha. Fares is back his native country of Dubai and has tryouts with the Al Nasr Club and Ajman Club for a spot on a professional roster.
Polat graduated with a degree in international business from the Heider College of Business. The midfielder earned All-BIG EAST Third Team recognition following the 2019 season after pacing the Bluejays with four assists. Polat, a native of Ludwigshafen, Germany, played in 51 matches during three seasons at Creighton, including 50 starts. The midfielder earned unanimous selection to the BIG EAST All-Freshman team in 2017 as he became the first Bluejay freshman to start each game since Timo Pitter in 2012. He totaled three goals and 15 assists during his three-year playing career in Omaha. Polat signed professionally in Germany and is on the FCA Walldorf squad in Regionalliga Sudwest.
Under the direction of head coach Johnny Torres, the Bluejays will work towards playing a postponed 2020 fall season during the spring of 2021. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors announced that the NCAA bracket will be filled at 75 percent of its normal capacity (36 teams instead of 48). The first date of competition across Division I Men's Soccer is planned for Feb. 3 and the College Cup is scheduled for May 13-17.
