The Valparaiso University men’s soccer team has announced the addition of transfers Babatunji Osifeso (Laurel, Md. / Laurel) and Dylan Waugaman (Houston, Texas / Friendswood) to the program.

Osifeso, a redshirt junior midfielder / forward, transferred from Campbell, while Waugaman, a redshirt sophomore defender, comes to the Crusaders from Oregon State.

“We have an exciting recruiting class that we will announce in full sometime over the next week or two, and we thought the ideal way to kick off that announcement was to introduce two roster additions that have already joined the program and are having an impact on the team,” Valpo head coach Mike Avery said. “Not only have we added two very good players, but we have more importantly added two people that have blended into our team's culture perfectly.  These are both guys that have high expectations for themselves, but who understand that all individual efforts have to fit within the framework of the team if we are we are going to continue pushing the program forward.”

Osifeso, whose club team is Baltimore Bays USSDA, started his collegiate career in 2013 with a strong freshman campaign for the Fighting Camels. He played in 19 matches and made nine starts while garnering Big South all-Freshman Team recognition. He scored one goal and had four assists while placing nine of his 17 shots on goal, earning the Jim McVeigh Award, which is given to the team’s top freshman.

Osifeso appeared in 17 matches and made 12 starts for Campbell in 2014, finishing second on the team with three goals, including a game-winner at Stetson. He made seven appearances and six starts during the 2015 campaign, finishing with one goal and two assists in a season that was cut short by an injury.

“I transferred to Valparaiso because I wanted to have a good chance to go pro and I felt Valparaiso game me the best opportunity to do that,” Osifeso said. “I’ve heard nothing but positive things about the program, the team and the coaching staff, which made me more than eager to get on board. As soon as the opportunity came to transfer here, I knew I couldn’t turn it down and had to make the most of it.”

The new Crusader joins a team that tied the program record for most wins and fewest losses in a season by going 10-5-4 in 2016.

“I plan to accomplish many great things next season,” Osifeso said. “It’s my last year in college soccer, so I’m playing with a chip on my shoulder and looking to make the most of it. I want to win the Horizon League, I want to go to the NCAA Tournament and I want to score goals and win as many games as possible. In the end, I hope the team makes history next season, I hope I get the opportunity to go pro and I also hope to raise the bar for future Valpo men’s soccer players. I am looking forward to next season and can’t wait to get started.”

Waugaman, whose club team is Texas Rush USSDA, helped Friendswood High School to three district championships during his prep tenure. He was first-team all-district as a sophomore, Team and District MVP as a junior, first-team all-region as a junior and second-team all-state during his junior campaign. In addition, he finished high school with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

“I chose to transfer to Valpo because of its challenging academics and to add my skills and attributes to an already good soccer program,” Waugaman said. “While I am at Valpo, I intend to help my team win the Horizon League and get a ticket to the NCAA Tournament. From there, anything can happen.”

Waugaman and Osifeso will be part of a large contingent of newcomers who will help the Crusaders sustain success after losing 12 players to graduation.

“You'll see soon when the remainder of our incoming class is unveiled that Tunji and Dylan are prototypes of the kind of people we pursued when we began this recruiting cycle,” Avery said. “There is no question that we graduated a large and talented group, and we have worked very hard to bring in a class capable of building on what has been left here for them. With that in mind, we are pleased to officially welcome Dylan and Tunji to the family.”