Ruzzo Inks Five Signees in 2018 Recruiting Class

MACON, Ga. – Mercer, the two-time defending Southern Conference men's soccer champion, and head coach Brad Ruzzo have announced the signing of five student-athletes to the 2018 recruiting class, announced on Monday afternoon.

The Bears are coming off winning the 2017 SoCon Tournament Championship for the second consecutive season, earning the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Mercer graduated seven players from a season ago, including 2018 MLS draftee and most decorative player in program history in Will Bagrou. The Bears are prepared to reload in the upcoming fall season after adding the five additions of Jaime Cardenas (Davidson, N.C.), Dawson Gideon (Marietta, Ga.), Trevor Martineau (McKinney, Texas), Ricardo Packer Jr. (Lauderhill, Fla.), and Banks Tolley (Madison, Miss.).

2018 MERCER MEN'S SOCCER RECRUITING CLASS

PLAYER	POSITION	HEIGHT	HOMETOWN	PREV. SCHOOL
Jaime Cardenas	Goalkeeper	5'9	Davidson, N.C.	Christ the King Catholic
Dawson Gideon	Forward	5'11	Marietta, Ga.	N/A
Trevor Martineau	Forward	6'4	McKinney, Texas	McKinney North HS
Ricardo Packer Jr.	Forward/Midfield	6'0	Lauderhill, Fla.	Coral Springs HS
Banks Tolley	Defender	6'0	Madison, Miss.	St. Andrews

JAIME CARDENAS | Davidson, N.C.
POS: Goalkeeper
HT: 5'9
PREV. SCHOOL/CLUB: Christ the King Catholic | Charlotte Soccer Academy USSDA
» 2014 USSDA Winter Regional Showcase U14 Season
» 2015 USSDA Summer and Winter Showcases as U14 and U16
» 2016 USSDA Summer and Winter Showcases as U16
» 2017 USSDA Summer and Winter Showcases as U16 and U18/19
» Starter at USSDA level for three out of four seasons and was invited to U.S. Soccer Federation Training Center
» Allowed 1.2 goals per game as a junior and 1.6 goals per game as a senior, recording a clean sheet in 33 percent of games during the U18/19 season

DAWSON GIDEON | Marietta, Ga.
POS: Forward
HT: 5'11
PREV. SCHOOL/CLUB: N/A | Atlanta United FC
» Led team to Southeast Division Championship and U17 National Title
» Finished as a top five leading goal scorer for Atlanta United FC
» Led the Hillgrove HS varsity team in goals as a freshman and recently scored a hat trick with the Atlanta United club

TREVOR MARTINEAU | McKinney, Texas
POS: Forward
HT: 6'4
PREV. SCHOOL/CLUB: McKinney North HS | Solar Soccer Club
» Named Newcomer of the Year, First Team All-District and Academic All-District as a freshman
» Awarded First Team All-District, Offensive Player of the Year and Academic All-District as a sophomore
» Finished senior season with nine goals and one assist
» Led Solar Soccer Club to runner up in regionals in 2016, Dallas Cup Finalist in 2016 and Classic League DI Champions in 2016

RICARDO PACKER JR. | Lauderhill, Fla.
POS: Forward/Midfield
HT: 6'0
PREV. SCHOOL/CLUB: Coral Springs HS | Team Boca 00
» Named to the 2017-18 Broward County All-Star Team
» Awarded Broward County Second Team in 2016-17 after leading the squad in goals scored
» As a senior, scored 14 goals and recorded four assists
» Led Team Boca 00 to the 2017 National League and 2016 Region Premier League

BANKS TOLLEY | Madison, Miss.
POS: Defender
HT: 6'0
PREV. SCHOOL/CLUB: St. Andrews | Rush Premier & Chicago Fire
» Led the Saints to the 2017-18 district title, playing defender for St. Andrews
» Dual-sport athlete, taking St. Andrews to the South District Championship in baseball at center field
» Named captain and best defensive player as a senior, while also scoring eight goals and recording 10 assists as a defender
» Led Rush Premier to the regionals in 2016 and 2017, while helping the squad claim the State Championship in 2017
» Chosen to play for Rush XI select national team in 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz.
» 2016 Spain/USA Chicago Fire Jr. program and later invited to Disney Showcase in 2017
» Two-time All-District Player in baseball and was named best offensive player in 2017
» Named best football kicker in Region 6 3A and was named Special Teams MVP as a senior

Head Coach Brad Ruzzo and the Bears aim to sign more student-athletes to the 2018 recruiting class prior to the start of the 2018 fall season.

Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Men's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_MSoccer (Twitter), MercerMSoccer (Instagram) and /MercerMSoccer (Facebook) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

Ruzzo Inks Five Signees in 2018 Recruiting Class

Players Mentioned

Will Bagrou

Footer

Mercer University Athletics