Men’s Soccer Adds Two Former Standouts To Coaching Staff
8/5/2026 3:39:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MACON – Fernando Arteaga and Carlos Santamaria, a pair of former star midfielders, will rejoin the Mercer men's soccer program as assistant coaches ahead of the 2026 season, head coach Brad Ruzzo announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Arteaga spent the last four seasons playing for Mercer and served a key role in the 2023 season when the Bears lifted the Southern Conference championship and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Jonesboro, Georgia, native made 59 appearances (22 starts) and logged 3,020 minutes in a Mercer uniform.
Last season, Arteaga was named an All-SoCon Second Teamer after netting three goals and collecting three assists in 10 matches. In just his fourth appearance of the season, Arteaga bagged a brace and assisted the opening goal in Mercer's 5-4 win over Wofford. A week before, Arteaga picked up an assist in a 1-1 draw over then No. 7 Furman. Arteaga ended his collegiate career with seven goals and six assists.
Santamaria was a two-year starter for the Bears from 2023-24. Santamaria started in 37 of the 38 matches he appeared in and played 2,856 minutes for the orange and black. In 2024, Santamaria was named an All-SoCon First Teamer after leading the league with seven assists and leading the Bears with 13 points. In 2023, Santamaria was a foundational member of the Bears' championship run.
After graduating from Mercer in 2024, Santamaria transferred to NC State, where he played a fundamental role in the Wolfpack's run to the National Championship. Santamaria appeared in 22 matches for the Pack and scored the game-winning goal against Georgetown in the Elite Eight. Santamaria finished his lone year in Raleigh with two goals and two assists.
The Bears begin the 2026 season with an exhibition on August 8 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, against Winthrop. Mercer opens the regular season on August 20 at home against FAU. All regular season matches at Betts Stadium are free admission.
Arteaga spent the last four seasons playing for Mercer and served a key role in the 2023 season when the Bears lifted the Southern Conference championship and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Jonesboro, Georgia, native made 59 appearances (22 starts) and logged 3,020 minutes in a Mercer uniform.
Last season, Arteaga was named an All-SoCon Second Teamer after netting three goals and collecting three assists in 10 matches. In just his fourth appearance of the season, Arteaga bagged a brace and assisted the opening goal in Mercer's 5-4 win over Wofford. A week before, Arteaga picked up an assist in a 1-1 draw over then No. 7 Furman. Arteaga ended his collegiate career with seven goals and six assists.
Santamaria was a two-year starter for the Bears from 2023-24. Santamaria started in 37 of the 38 matches he appeared in and played 2,856 minutes for the orange and black. In 2024, Santamaria was named an All-SoCon First Teamer after leading the league with seven assists and leading the Bears with 13 points. In 2023, Santamaria was a foundational member of the Bears' championship run.
After graduating from Mercer in 2024, Santamaria transferred to NC State, where he played a fundamental role in the Wolfpack's run to the National Championship. Santamaria appeared in 22 matches for the Pack and scored the game-winning goal against Georgetown in the Elite Eight. Santamaria finished his lone year in Raleigh with two goals and two assists.
The Bears begin the 2026 season with an exhibition on August 8 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, against Winthrop. Mercer opens the regular season on August 20 at home against FAU. All regular season matches at Betts Stadium are free admission.
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