Mount Olive, N.C. ---The Mount Olive men's soccer team will add a variety of players with the addition of 15 new signees, head coach Sean Brennan announced today. Joining the returning class of Trojans this fall are nine freshmen, Trevor Berk, Drew Brunton, Ethan Bunting, Nickolai Clarke, Kahjae Douglas, Pedro Franca, Tommy Hope, Ismael Martinez, and Ezra Moorefield. Also joining the Trojans, as transfers are David Gomez, Patrick Hay, Eric Healy, James Lang, Diego Nunez, and Héctor Viveros.
"I am really excited about this new group of guys coming in. This recruiting class brings a large amount of experience from 6 players transferring in, to guys playing at the highest youth levels, both abroad and in the United States. I am looking forward to adding these players to the program and building on last years success with them," said Brennan.
Trevor Berk, a Wake Forest, N.C. native, comes to UMO from Heritage High School. Berk scored 70 goals for the Huskies as a four-year starter. He also played his club ball for the NCFC Elite.
Drew Brunton, a Coral Springs, Fla product, attended Coral Springs High School where he was named all-county honorable mention. He played his club ball for Boca United and was the Florida league's leading scorer.
Ethan Bunting joins the Trojans from Pfafftown, N.C. The freshman attended Ronald Reagan High School and received all-region honors for the Raiders during his senior year. Bunting played his club ball for the North Carolina Fusion out of Greensboro, N.C.
Nickolai Clarke will join UMO from the Darlington School Soccer Academy in Rome Ga. The Jamaican born product will begin his freshman year for the Trojans after graduating from the Darlington School where he was on the dean's list for the past two years.
Kahjae Douglas also comes from the Darlington School Soccer Academy. Douglas, also from Jamaica, will join his freshman teammate Nickolai Clark from the Darlington School. While at Darlington Douglas earned the Sharpe Sablon Legacy for Demonstrating on the field performance and off the field community leadership.
Pedro Franca is the third incoming freshman to come from the Darlington Soccer Academy in Rome, Ga. and will join Clarke and Douglas on the Trojans roster. Franca, a native of Brazil, won the National Premier League twice and player choice award this year.
Tommy Hope comes to Mount Olive from Milton Keyes College in Buckinghamshire, England. Hope played his club ball for the Milton Keyes Dons he also was awarded the LFE 11 for performance on and off the field.
Ismael Martinez, a Fayetteville, N.C. native, played for the Tigers of South View High School. He earned 2nd-team all-conference honors his sophomore year and 1st-team all-conference accolades his junior and senior year. Martinez played his club ball for the Fayetteville force
Ezra Moorefield, an Olin, N.C. product attended North Iredell High School where he helped the Raiders to a 10-6-2 record. Moorefield played his club ball for the Lake Norman Soccer Club in Charlotte, N.C. He also played for the FC Dallas USDA Academy.
David Gomez, a junior forward transfer from Butte College in Oroville, California. While at Butte Gomez was awarded the athletic achievement most improved award.
Patrick Hay, a junior transfer from Cumberland University, is from New Plymouth, New Zealand. Hay played in nine matches for Cumberland last season and helped the Phoenix to a 15-3-2 record. He also played his club ball for the Auckland City u20 squad.
Eric Healy, a sophomore Dublin, Ireland, transfer comes from Northeast Texas Comunity College. The forward was the captain, leading scorer, and assist leader for the Eagles with eight goals and six assists last season. Healy played his club ball for the Leicester Celtic FC Dublin based in Rathfarnham, Dublin.
Héctor Viveros, a junior Puebla, Mexico native, transfers into UMO from Dodge City Community College. The goalkeeper had a 1-1 overall record with 30 saves and a .789 save percentage in six matches played for the Conquistadors. He earned a spot on the NJCAA Academic All-American 2nd-team. He has also played on Mexico's Second Division National team and played his club ball for Club Puebla in Puebla, Mexico.
James Lang, a junior from Cupar, Scotland, joins Mount Olive from Medaille College. The midfielder played in 17 games for the Mavericks as a sophomore, making 12 starts. He Finished the season with six goals and four assists helping Medaille win the Conference Championship on Penalties. Lang played his club ball for AM Soccer Club in Cupar, Scotland.
Diego Nunez, a sophomore forward from New York, N.Y., played last season for NCAA DI Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. Nunez was awarded the Golden boot trophy winner of the Dubai Super Cup International Tournament. Nunez played his club ball for the BW Gottschee Academy in New York.