June 7, 2011

Men’s Soccer Announces Part One of 2011 Freshmen Class

MACON, Ga. – Mercer men’s soccer program head coach Brad Ruzzo announced Part One of his 2011 spring recruiting class on Tuesday morning. Stay tuned to www.mercerbears.com over the next month for Part Two of Coach Ruzzo’s recruiting class, when the remainder of the student-athletes are announced.

 

All six of these student-athletes (Zachary Steuer, Jared Williams, Daniel Anders, Michael Hennessy, Sean Baumann and Joey Perfetto) have already been accepted to Mercer and will join 15 returnees from last year’s 10-6-1 squad on campus in August for preseason workouts. 

 

Here is an inside look at the first batch of recruits that comprise the Bears’ 2011 spring signing class:

 

Zachary Steuer

Position: Defender
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: Robinson High School
High School Coach: Thomas DuSold

Club Team: Strictly Soccer FC

Club Coach: Hans Burt
Height: 6'1"

Weight: 145 lbs.

 

Bio: Four-year starter for head coach Thomas DuSold at Robinson High School … Played in every minute of every game during his high school career … Scored four goals and added two assists from his defensive position on his way to being named Team MVP and Florida 4A First Team All-State as a senior … Plans to major in Pre-Med at Mercer.           

 

What they are saying about Steuer:

“Zac comes from a great family and we first saw him when he attended our College ID camp. Mercer University is a perfect fit for Zac both academically and athletically and we are extremely excited to add Zac to our program.”

Brad Ruzzo- Head Men’s Soccer Coach Mercer University  

 

Jared Williams

Position: Defender
Hometown: Macon, Ga.
High School: First Presbyterian Day
High School Coach: Josh Trieste

Club Team: Atlanta Futbal Academy

Club Coach: Gaucho Pinho
Height: 5'9"

Weight: 170 lbs.

 

Bio: Transferred to Mercer from Darton College … Helped the Cavaliers to a NJCAA Region 17 Championship and a sixth-place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament during his only season at Darton … Has the ability to play multiple positions after earning playing time as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder and outside back at First Presbyterian Day High School under head coach Josh Trieste … Plans to major in Environmental Science at Mercer.                       

 

What they are saying about Williams:                                                                                           

“Jared will bring grit and toughness to our program. He is transferring in from Darton College so he will bring additional experience and much needed depth to our core defenders. As a defender, he possesses good individual defending ability and can play a couple of different positions across the backline.”

Brad Ruzzo- Head Men’s Soccer Coach Mercer University              

 

Daniel Anders

Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Thomasville, Ga.
High School: Thomasville High School
High School Coach: Ernest Bass
Height: 6'0"

Weight: 175 lbs.

 

Bio: Transferred to Mercer from Delta State … Four-year starter in goal at Thomasville High School under head coach Thomasville High School … Four-time All-Region first team selection … Posted a 0.64 goals against average and 12 shutouts during his senior season on his way to leading the Bulldogs to the 2010 AA/A Boys State Championship … Plans to major in chemistry at Mercer.      

 

What they are saying about Anders:                                                                                               

“Daniel has had good experience, transferring from Delta State, which will benefit him throughout the transition. Daniel brings a composed mindset to the goalkeeper position and has the ability to make big saves to keep us in matches.”

Brad Ruzzo- Head Men’s Soccer Coach Mercer University  

 

Michael Hennessy  

Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Sugar Hill, Ga.
High School: North Gwinnett High School
High School Coach: Mike Wentzler

Club Team: Atlanta Fire

Club Coach: Darren McKune
Height: 6'3"

Weight: 180 lbs.

 

Bio: Posted a 0.75 goals against average and three shutouts in his senior season at North Gwinnett High School under head coach Mike Wentzler … Was an AP Scholar, a Governors Honor program nominee and a two-time Presidents Award Winner for academic excellence … Plans to major in engineering at Mercer.  

 

What they are saying about Hennessy:

“Michael has a great frame to be a good college goalkeeper and we are looking forward to him competing for the position this fall.  He is a good shot stopper and once in our program’s environment, we believe he has the ability to continue to keep improving.”

Brad Ruzzo- Head Men’s Soccer Coach Mercer University  

 

Sean Baumann  

Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Makanda, Ill.
High School: Carbondale Community High School
High School Coach: Mike Cannell

Club Team: Scott Gallagher’s Metro Academy Team

Club Coach: Jeremy Alumbaugh
Height: 5'10"

Weight: 160 lbs.

 

Bio: Had a decorated career as a four-year varsity starter under head coach Mike Cannell at Carbondale Community High School … Led CCHS to the Regional Title and an appearance in the Sectional finals as a senior … Set the school record for the most goals in a single season when he scored 37 goals during his senior campaign … Was named to the South Seven All-Conference first team and the Illinois All-State first team as both a junior and senior … Showed an excellent balance on and off the field after being voted an All-Midwest Scholar Athlete and a Scholar All-American Team selection as a senior … Plans to major in MAPS (Managed Academic Path to Success at Mercer.

 

What they are saying about Baumann:                                                                                          

“Sean brings versatility with his game by being able to play multiple positions for our team.  He possesses great pace, a high soccer IQ and the ability to battle and compete on the field.  We look forward to Sean competing right away to help us achieve our team goals.”

Brad Ruzzo- Head Men’s Soccer Coach Mercer University  

 

Joey Perfetto  

Position: Defender
Hometown: Lithia, Fla.
High School: Newsome High School
High School Coach: Neal Rickmers

Club Team: Plant City Lancers

Club Coach: Don Perfetto

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 175 lbs.

 

Bio: Was a four-year letterwinner at Newsome High School under head coach Neal Rickmers … Led the Wolves to a 16-4-3 record, a 2011 District Championship and a Regional Semi-Final appearance as a senior … Showed great balance scoring 19 goals and handing out 19 assists during his senior season … Was named to the All-County first team, the Hillsborough County All-Star team and the Florida All-State team after putting up monster numbers as a senior … Plans to major in either psychology or business at Mercer. 

 

What they are saying about Perfetto:

“Joey attended our College ID camp and impressed us the moment we saw him. He will certainly add to our depth in the defending positions because of his athletic ability. He understands the game very well and is a very good individual defender.”

Brad Ruzzo- Head Men’s Soccer Coach Mercer University