BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Head Coach Steve Armas has announced the addition of seven players as part of Campbell men's soccer's 2015 signing class that will take the pitch in the fall season.
Josh Signey, Francisco "Paco" Puertas, Gabe Parrish, Sam Butts, Spencer Currier, Kia Shirazi and Nick Hensley comprise the 2015 signing class for the Fighting Camels.
"I am pleased to announce these new additions to the Campbell soccer family. This is a diverse group of young men that are not only well-established soccer players, but also great individuals. Each signee embodies all of the core values that we look for in our players and will contribute not only to our program but also to the Campbell community at large," Armas said of the incoming players.
The seven signees join a Campbell squad that reached TopDrawerSoccer.com's national rankings to begin the 2014 campaign and will return all five of its top scorers from last season. Bradley Farias led the team with 22 points (nine goals, four assists) and was named the 2014 Big South Freshman of the Year for his performance.
Josh Signey (UK, Morecambe FC)
Played in Manchester United's youth academy from the ages of 8-16… Competed in the Aarau Masters Tournament in Switzerland… Competed for Carrington's U11 side… Played against youth programs from notable European sides such as Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Tenerife U12 tournament… Has been coached by Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and Edwin van der Sar as they completed their coaching badges… Competed in a Premier League U16 tournament at St. George's Park and finished third, scoring in the third and fourth playoff against Blackburn… Currently represents Morecambe FC's reserves and has been included in the lineup several times, including in a match against Wigan.
Armas on Signey: "Josh is a player that will add composure, decision-making and passing range from midfield. He has the ability to find space on the ball and will look to get his teammates involved. We look forward to Josh joining the 2015 team."
Francisco "Paco" Puertas (Madrid, Spain, Rayo Majadahonda FC)
Was a member of the Adarve Club, a prestigious private soccer academy, for 10 years… Currently playing for FC Rayo Majadahonda in Madrid, Spain… Attended Colegio El Prado in Madrid… Earned a tournament MVP award in 2009… Named the city's best player in 2010… Has been called up to Rayo Majadahonda's Division 3 team several times and has earned playing time at that level.
Armas on Puertas: "Paco joined us in January and has benefitted from having the opportunity to train and play this spring. He is a physical defender with a high level of technical ability. He is a natural left-sided versatile player and we look forward to his contributions in several spots in our back line for this fall."
Gabe Parrish (Central Catholic High School, Portland, Ore., Eastside United Timbers)
Won four letters at Central Catholic High School under Head Coach Jimmy Weber… Led the Rams to a 57-9-4 record over his four-year career and captured the league title after all four seasons… State runners-up in 2013-14 before capturing the state championship in 2014-15… Earned First Team All-League honors after his last three seasons and served as a team captain in each of his final two years… Named the team's MVP in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and received a Second Team All-State nod following his senior year… Completed his high school career with 23 goals and 34 assists.
Armas on Parrish: "Gabe is a technical player that has the ability to take players on and create scoring opportunities. We look for him to contribute in a variety of positions in the attack."
Sam Butts (Hickory Grove Christian School, Charlotte, N.C., Charlotte Soccer Academy USSDA)
Has been with the Charlotte Soccer Academy since joining the U14 side in 2011-12… Reached the regional finals of the U14 National Premier League… Participated in the Disney Soccer Showcase tournament… Semifinalist in the USYS State Cup… Ranked 96th among club soccer players and in the top 150 among all players in TopDrawerSoccer.com's 2012-13 rankings… Named a player to watch and a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com in 2014-15… Appeared 34 times with 27 starts for the U16 Academy team, placing 73 percent of his shots on goal with two scores… Currently competing with the Charlotte Soccer Academy's U18 side.
Armas on Butts: "Sam is a well rounded defensive minded player that has the ability to attack. His composure and confidence on the ball will help him fit into our system. We look forward to Sam providing depth in the outside back and midfield positions."
Spencer Currier (Olympic High School, Charlotte, N.C., Carolina Rapids Development Academy USSDA)
Played four years as a forward/center midfielder for the Carolina Rapids Development Academy… Also has experience on defense after filling in as a right back for the North Meck Soccer Club in 10th grade… Captained the North Meck Soccer Club's Fourteens team and was also the team's leading scorer… Earned a spot on the A/B Honor Roll in each of his first three years at Olympic High School.
Armas on Currier: "Spencer is a versatile player that has the ability to play many different positions. This is credited to his ability to read the game well and his decision-making on and off of the ball."
Kia Shirazi (Montgomery High School, Bellemeade, N.J., NJCSA Development Academy USSDA)
Played two years of varsity soccer at Montgomery High School and the Peddie School… Member of the Match Fit Academy's 97 Pre-Academy Team from 2011-13 and placed third in the Northeast Pre-Academy Playoffs in 2012-13… Member of the U16 USSF DA Team in 2013-14 and played in the Playoffs Showcase in Indiana… Played multiple times in Fall 2013 for the U18 USSF DA Team… Has played multiple positions, including right and left defender, outside midfielder and fullback… Won the New Jersey State Cup Regionals and qualified for nationals in 2011.
Armas on Shirazi: "Kia is a technical player that can provide good service from the width, whether creating these moments off the dribble or working to get behind. We will look for him to contribute in the wide areas."
Nick Hensley (Lake Norman High School/Charlotte, Mooresville, N.C., Carolina Dynamo)
Graduate transfer goalkeeper from Charlotte... Member of the 49ers squad that reached the national title match in 2011 and captured the Conference USA Championship in 2013... Won the C-USA regular season championship with the 49ers, who were ranked as high as 10th in the nation, in 2014... Recorded the highest number of community service hours of any Charlotte student-athlete during his freshman year... Member of the Carolina Dynamo team that was the national runner-up in the Premier Development League in 2012... Holds the Lake Norman school record for career shutouts and was a three-time All-Conference, two-time All-Region and one-time All-State performer in high school.
Armas on Hensley: "Nick also joined us this spring as a graduate student. He has brought with him a wealth of experience, maturity, intensity and communication to training already. We look forward to him competing for the goalkeeper role."
