Mercer Men's Soccer Releases 2010 Recruiting Class

MACON, Ga. - The Mercer men's soccer team revealed its 2010 spring signing class on Monday afternoon as announced by head coach Brad Ruzzo. 

Seven players have committed to Mercer and will make their way to campus in the fall of 2011. The class concentrates on the midfield and forward positions due to the Bears welcoming back starting goalkeeper Brett Petricek and three-fourths of a defensive back line that allowed only 29 goals in 2009. 

“We are very excited about this year's recruiting class,” head coach Brad Ruzzo said. “We look forward to these seven young men improving our program in all facets including academically, athletically and socially. We feel these young men will contribute right away and help us compete for an Atlantic Sun Championship.” 

This year's recruiting class joins a solid group of returnees, including nine starters, from last year's squad that went 7-11-2 overall and came within one game of advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. 

2010 Mercer Men's Soccer Signees 

Jeffrey Clithero
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
High School: MICDS
High School Coach: Terry Murray
Club Team: SLSG Metro Academy
Club Coach: Jeremy Alumbaugh
Height: 5'9"

Bio: 
Four-year letterwinner at MICDS High School for head coach Terry Murray … had a stellar senior campaign, compiling 30 goals from his forward position to lead the Rams to a 17-6 overall record and an ABC League Championship … named the Conference Player of the Year, All-Metro third team and All-State second team after his senior year ... broke the MICDS school record for most goals scored in a single season in his senior year ... named All-Conference second-team after he scored seven goals during his junior year ... plans to major in economics at Mercer.

What they are saying about Clithero: 
“We first watched Jeff play at our College ID Camp in January and we really thought that Jeff had a huge upside to him. He possesses great speed and the work ethic to get better every day. I watched him score some good goals during our camp and I believe he is only going to get better playing with his academy team for the next few months.”
Brad Ruzzo- Head Men's Soccer Coach Mercer University

“Jeff has freakish speed and a nasty shot. Jeff is the best goal scorer in school history and the heartbeat of this team, when he scored we won. He played through a bad ankle, swine flu and the demand and expectation to carry his team on his shoulders. Jeff not only overcame, but he accelerated past all those issues. Jeff will now be the standard for all future MICDS players when they ask who the best was.”
Terry Murray- Head Men's Soccer Coach MICDS High School

“Jeff Clithero will be a good addition to the Mercer men's soccer program as it continues on the path to becoming a dominant program in the south region. He has the athleticism and drive necessary to be productive at the college level. He brings an attacking mindset to every situation and enjoys competing every session.”
Jeremy Alumbaugh- Head Coach SLSG Metro Academy

Cole Mitchell
Position: Defender
Hometown: Concord, Ga.
High School: Pike County
High School Coach: Justin O'Steen
Club Team: AFC Lightning
Club Coach: Robin Dixon
Height: 6'1"

Bio:
The lone defensive recruit in Coach Ruzzo's 2010 recruiting class, Mitchell is a lanky defensive back who has the potential to facilitate the offense from the back end ... named the team MVP his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons as well as team captain his sophomore and junior campaigns ... led the Pirates to a 12-3-1 record and a regional championship his junior season ... tallied one goal and eight assists from his center back position as a junior ... currently an honors student in high school and looks to major in political science at Mercer.

What they are saying about Mitchell:
“Cole is another player that attended our College ID Camp in January and we had the chance to watch him play with his academy team as well. Cole has the ability to be a good defender at the Division I level. He has great pace and the ability to defend in 1 vs. 1 situations. We are looking forward to having Cole compete in the backline for us.”
Brad Ruzzo- Head Men's Soccer Coach Mercer University

“Cole Mitchell is a committed young man. He possesses a tremendous work ethic both in training and in games which enables him to continue to develop at a fast rate. He is an exceptional athlete and possesses excellent pace. He is one of the better 1 vs. 1 defenders that I have seen come through the program and will be a great asset to the Mercer soccer program.”
Robin Dixon- Head Coach AFC Lightning

Ryan King
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Hometown: Norcross, Ga.
High School: Norcross
High School Coach: Chris Bess
Club Team: Atlanta Fire United
Club Coach: Ryan Austin
Height: 6'2"

Bio:
Four year letterwinner under head coach Chris Bess at Norcross High School ... named to the Gwinnett All-County team as a junior after scoring 10 goals and handing out 11 assists ... earned a spot on the exclusive Gwinnett County Super 6 team as a senior ... a four-year scholar athlete who is also on the Norcross Student Leadership Team, King plans to major in engineering once at Mercer.

What they are saying about King:
“Ryan is a player that we have tracked for some time now. We have watched Ryan play in club and high school. He is a tremendous athlete that can play in an attacking role. He possesses great size, speed, and will be dangerous on set pieces. Ryan has the ability to help our team in attack as we move forward.”
Brad Ruzzo- Head Men's Soccer Coach Mercer University

“Ryan is an extremely skilled player that can play with both feet and finish with consistency. He can also distribute and defend very well. He has great size and a great motor and rarely comes out of a match. In short, he's a great all-around player. More importantly, he's a team leader and is the engine that makes our offense run."
Chris Bess- Head Men's Soccer Coach Norcross High School

“Ryan King has absolutely exploded as a player over the past 18 months. An intimidating prospect and driving force in the midfield, he has dedicated himself to the game of soccer and worked extremely hard at improving all aspects of his game. As a result, he has become a major impact player for our USSF Academy team and will no doubt carry that success over into his future career.”
Ryan Austin- Head Coach Atlanta Fire United

Joshua Ball
Position: Forward
Hometown: Peachtree City, Ga.
High School: McIntosh
High School Coach: Bunky Colvin
Club Team: AFC Lightning
Club Coach: Robin Dixon
Height: 6'2"

Bio:
Four-year letterwinner at powerhouse McIntosh High School under head coach Bunky Colvin ... led the Chiefs to a 22-1 record his junior year, leading to a number seven ranking in the country at season's end ... led the 5A-AAAA Region in scoring his junior season, tallying 29 goals and 15 assists ... featured in ESPN Magazine's “Player to Watch” section in Jan./Feb. 2010 ... racked up multiple awards after his stellar junior season including being named the All-County Player of the Year and a 1st Team All-Region selection ... an honor roll student, Ball will major in business upon his arrival at Mercer.

What they are saying about Ball:
“Josh has great athletic ability, pace and size to compete at the Division I level. He is one of the most competitive players that I have seen throughout the recruiting process. Josh has the ability to score goals from every position on the field. We look forward to Josh competing right away at the forward position.”
Brad Ruzzo- Men's Soccer Head Coach Mercer University

"Josh Ball is one of the most talented strikers I have coached at McIntosh. His size and physical ability separate him from most, but his ability to score has put him in an elite class of players. I believe Josh will be successful at the college level for more reasons than his physical ability. What will make Josh a great college player is his work ethic and enormous heart.”
Bunky Colvin- Head Men's Soccer Coach McIntosh High School

"Josh Ball is an extremely dedicated and competitive athlete with an intense desire to win. He is a physical presence on the field with an uncanny knack of creating goal scoring opportunities. With continued focus on the details of his technical game, Josh will truly thrive at the next level."
Robin Dixon- Head Coach AFC Lightning

Brady O'Brien
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Ga.
High School: Collins Hill
High School Coach: Drew Prentice
Club Team: Atlanta Fire United
Club Coach: Ryan Austin
Height: 6'1"

Bio:
Three-year letterwinner at Collins Hill High School under head coach Drew Prentice … led the Eagles to a 19-3 record, a number four national ranking and a 5AAAAA State Championship in 2009 … led Collins Hill to a 5AAAAA State Runner-up finish in 2008 ... played club soccer for the Atlanta Fire United club under head coach Ryan Austin ... was a member of the club when they were a Disney Showcase Finalist in 2008 and 2009 … plans to major in business at Mercer and chose the Bears because of their up and coming soccer program.

What they are saying about O'Brien:
“Brady is a good sized player that is left footed with good athleticism. He is a very good server of the ball and is dynamic in the attacking half as a wide midfielder. Brady is also very versatile so he could play several positions for us and we are looking forward to Brady competing right away.”
Brad Ruzzo- Head Men's Soccer Coach Mercer University

“Brady is one of the hardest working players on our team, but I think his versatility on the field is what sets him apart from other players. Brady can play anywhere on the field and would be one of the best at that position. I look forward to watching Brady continue his successful career at Mercer.”
Drew Prentice- Head Men's Soccer Coach Collins Hill High School

“Brady is an extremely determined and focused young man both on and off the soccer field. He captained our U-18 academy team with confidence and leadership. It is very obvious to everyone who knows Brady that he will excel and be successful in all walks of life, including soccer.”
Ryan Austin- Head Coach Atlanta Fire United

Taylor Krek
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Hometown: Norcross, Ga.
High School: Norcross
High School Coach: Chris Bess
Club Team: Atlanta Fire United
Club Coach: Ryan Austin
Height: 6'1"

Bio:
Four-year letterwinner at Norcross High School under head coach Chris Bess ... led the Blue Devils to back-to-back playoff appearances during his sophomore and junior years, including a Region 7 runner-up finish in his sophomore season ... named the Offensive MVP after his sophomore season and the varsity captain in his junior and senior seasons ... played club ball for the Atlanta Fire United under head coach Ryan Austin ... chose Mercer for its engineering school and because it has a great coach who pushes his players.

What they are saying about Krek:
“Taylor is a very competitive player that is willing to do anything to help his team win. Taylor does all the dirty work in the midfield, but can also play once he wins the ball. We look forward to Taylor competing for a midfield or a defender spot for us.”
Brad Ruzzo- Head Men's Soccer Coach Mercer University

“Taylor is a very hard-nosed, physically imposing, and aggressive player with high technical ability that can play with both feet and can push forward into the attack very well. He was an integral part of our team as both team captain and leading goal scorer last season.”
Chris Bess- Head Men's Soccer Coach Norcross High School

“Taylor is a true competitor in every sense of the word. Taylor was always willing to give of himself for the betterment of the team. He has the ability to impact and change a game through pure grit and determination, but can also do it with skill and guile. Quick with a joke and smile, Taylor really is a coach's dream in every sense of the word.”
Ryan Austin- Head Coach Atlanta Fire United

Michael Lewis
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Melrose, Ma.
High School: Malden Catholic
High School Coach: Kevin Jones
Club Team: Boston Blast
Club Coach: Mike Haynes
Height: 6'1"

Bio:
Four-year letterwinner under head coach Kevin Jones at Malden Catholic High School ... led the Lancers to an 8-8-2 finish his senior season and a berth in the State Tournament ... very versatile midfielder who can play up top or out wide ... finished his senior year with seven goals and two assists ... named to the Catholic Conference All-Star team and also honored as an All-Scholastic team member for his senior season ... a National Honor Society member, Lewis plans to major in accounting at Mercer.

What they are saying about Lewis:
“Michael is a kid that came to our summer camp last year and we had the chance to watch him play for a week. He is another left footed player that will compete in the midfield for us. Michael is a great kid and comes from a great family and we are excited to add him to our team next fall.”
Brad Ruzzo- Head Men's Soccer Coach Mercer University

“In regards to Michael, you are definitely getting a versatile and dynamic player. His speed is exceptional and he can either be utilized as a scoring threat or a tireless midfielder. Michael was a big component to our teams' success this past year and I expect him to contribute to any team he is a part of.”
Kevin Jones- Head Men's Soccer Coach Malden Catholic High School

“I've had the unique opportunity to see Michael play from U11 to present. Mike is a very young man who is very committed to his academics and his soccer training. His work rate cannot be questioned and he will raise the level of the players around him on and off the field.”
Mike Haynes- Head Coach Boston Blast