Nico Felich, an all-state soccer player from Kansas, is ready to soak up the Southern California sun at The Master’s University.

“I’m excited about no more winters,” Felich said after signing with TMU’s men’s soccer team. He will join a team that is coming off an appearance in the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament semifinals and that returns a strong senior core.

Felich is expected to make an early impact.

“We’re very excited to have Nico join the team this year,” said TMU head coach Jim Rickard. “He’s a hard-working and skilled center midfielder. He comes from an excellent club system and high school team as well. He’s serious about soccer and growing in his faith, which is a combination for true success. Nico will have a great opportunity to contribute this season while learning from several seniors. He is ready for this level.”

Felich – a product of Heritage Christian Academy in Olathe, Kansas – was named All-Crossroads Conference from 2015 to 2018, and he tallied 12 goals and 11 assists as a senior, according to MaxPreps.

In addition to the Santa Clarita Valley’s balmy weather, he said he chose The Master’s University because of its high-quality academics, athletics and spiritual focus.

“I’m looking forward to engaging in all these things at TMU,” Felich said.

As far as athletics, Felich said his focus is on helping Master’s return to the NAIA national tournament.

The Mustangs finished 14-5 in 2019, finishing one point shy of winning the GSAC regular-season title and earning the conference’s automatic bid to the NAIA round of 16.

Master’s graduated two-time GSAC Player of the Year Benji Tembo from its midfield, but it returns All-GSAC picks Luis Garcia Sosa, a midfielder, and Justin Ikeora, a defender.

For an inside look at TMU men’s soccer, visit our Instagram page: @TMUMSoccer.