BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Head coach Dustin Fonder has announced the addition of 11 newcomers in the 2020 Fighting Camel recruiting class.  The group will join eight returning starters from the two-time defending Big South Conference men's soccer champions.
 
Fonder's recruiting class includes six transfers, plus five high school signees from the southeastern United States.  They will compete for playing time on a squad that posted a 17-3-2 overall record in 2019 when the Camels won the Big South regular season and tournament titles, advanced to the second round of the NCAA College Cup and finished ranked No. 24 in the United Soccer Coaches and Soccer America national polls.
 
"We are excited to announce our 2020 recruiting class," said Fonder, who was named 2019 Big South Coach of the Year and who, along with his co-workers, was named South Region Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches.  "The class has a nice blend of transfers and freshmen, and also of international and domestic players.  We feel like we have some guys who can make immediate impacts and others that can develop into important roles down the line.  We have established a championship culture on the field, in the classroom and in the community.  Each of these newcomers will be held to that elite standard.  We feel confident that they will all rise to that challenge and continue to push our organization forward."
 
Campbell returns its top four scorers from last year's squad that finished eighth nationally in won-lost-tied percentage (.818), third in scoring offense (2.68 goals per game) and 13th in team goals-against average (0.752).  All-American Thibaut Jacquel returns for his senior season after leading the country in goals (18), including seven game-winners.  Also back are senior keeper Samuel Lechuga, who ranked 10th in the nation in shutouts (9) and 18th in goals-against average (0.77), as well as freshman All-America left back Moses Mensah.
 
2020 Campbell University Men's Soccer Recruits
Gerard Broussard | Forward | 5-10, 180 | Freshman | Midlothian, Va. | St. Christopher's | FC Richmond
Broussard earned United Soccer Coaches All-Mid-Atlantic Regional All America honors as a senior at St. Christopher's.  A VISAA all-state first team choice, he led his school to a runner-up in the state independent schools championship.  As a senior, he scored 30 goals with 10 assists.  Broussard played his club soccer with FC Richmond.
Fonder on Broussard: "Gerard is another attacking threat for our 2020 class.  He has good speed and strength, and should develop rapidly in our daily training environment."
 
Daniel Hernández | Forward / 5-11, 160 | Junior | Bogota, Colombia | Central Methodist University | Club Deportivo Fair Play
Hernández joins the Camels after spending the last two seasons with NAIA national champion Central Methodist University.  A two-time, first-team All-American, he was named and Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the 2019 NAIA national championship after he scored 17 goals and dealt 11 assists in 26 games.  During his freshman season, Hernández tallied 20 goals and ranked fourth in the NAIA with 16 assists.
Fonder on Hernández: "Danny is an electric attacking threat.  He has a knack for producing meaningful goals and assists. He is also a two-time national champion and this winning mentality is welcomed here at Campbell University."
 
Hunter Johnson | Goalkeeper | 6-4, 165 | Freshman | Southern Pines, N.C. | Pinecrest | NC Fusion ECNL
Johnson was an all-conference and all-region selection at Pinecrest High School where he Posted a 0.81 GAA with 13 shutouts as a senior.  He played his club soccer with the NC Fusion ECNL.
Fonder on Johnson: "Hunter is a prospect who is still developing, but has great upside.  We welcome him to our goalkeeping corps.  We think that with time in the weight room, daily positional training, and more experience, he will add depth to that unit."
 
Diego Konincks | Midfielder | 6-2, 185 | Sophomore | Montfoort, The Netherlands |Midland University | MSV U19Konincks started all 20 matches as a freshman in 2019 at NAIA member Midland University.  Named 2nd-team All-Great Plains Athletic Conference, he scored three goals with six assists for the GPAC runner-up (9-1-1, 13-5-2 overall) that advanced to NAIA national tournament.
Fonder on Konincks: "Diego is a versatile player that can help us in multiple positions.  He also has a great deal of maturity and experience that will accelerate his transition."
 
Jamie Lamb | Defender | 6-3, 190 | Junior | Auckland, New Zealand | Purdue Fort Wayne
Lamb started all 36 matches he played in two seasons at Summit League member Purdue Fort Wayne.  He played at least 90 minutes 28 times in two seasons.  A Summit League Academic Honor Roll member, Lamb also played for the Dayton Dutch Lions in USL2 in the summer of 2018 and participated in the first two rounds of US Open Cup.
Fonder on Lamb: "Jamie is a prototype center back.  He has great size and strength, is dominant in the air, and has excellent range in passing.  He is also experienced and can bring leadership qualities to The Creek."
 
Owen Mikoy | Defender | 6-5, 195 | Freshman | Atlanta, Ga. | Fayette County | AFC Lightning
Mikoy scored 57 goals in three seasons and as a senior was named Region 3-5A player of the year at Fayette County High School.  He also set a school football team record for the longest field goal made (54 yards).  A member of the AFC Lightning club, Mikoy's sister, Melanie, plays soccer at The Citadel.
Fonder on Mikoy: "Owen is a big and versatile defender.  He is known for his good work rate and willingness to always hone his craft.  We expect him to add depth and competition across the back four."
 
Jake Morris | Midfielder | 6-2, 185 | Junior | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Tyler JC | Seattle Sounders Academy
A former U.S. U-19 and U-20 National team player, Morris played in 45 games over the last two years at Tyler Junior College, which advanced to the 2019 NJCAA national tournament.  He scored 12 goals with eight assists at TJC.  Morris played his club soccer with the Seattle Sounders Academy and Weston (Fla.) FC.
Fonder on Morris: "Jake is a high-end athlete, who also brings U.S. National team experience to our program.  He uses his speed, strength and technique to excel in the attacking third. He also brings a quality left foot to our team.  This will help in both wide delivery and set piece situations."
 
Alec Nguyen | Midfielder | 6-0, 160 | Junior | Tucson, Ariz. | Pima CC | Tucson Soccer Academy
Nguyen joined the Camels in the 2020 spring semester from 2018 NJCAA national champion Pima Community College.  He played in 45 matches during his two years at Pima, scored 14 goals and added eight assists for the Aztecs, who advanced to NJCAA national tournament in both of his years with the program.
Fonder on Nguyen: "Alec joined us for our abbreviated spring.  He was just starting to transition and gain confidence as our season was shutdown.  Hopefully, this head start and familiarity with our program and campus will accelerate his preparation for the fall season."
 
Manuel Prieto | Midfielder | 5-5, 135 | Freshman | Dalton, Ga. | Dalton | Chattanooga Red Wolves Academy
Prieto had five goals and 12 assists at Dalton High School in his senior season that was shortened to just seven games.  As a junior, he netted 14 goals and 13 assists.  During his final two years with the Chattanooga Red Wolves Academy club, Prieto totaled 25 goals and 30 assists.
Fonder on Prieto: "Manuel is a crafty attacking player with a tireless work rate.  We feel he is a player that can develop into an excellent attacking option for us.  He is comfortable attacking both out wide and from an attacking midfield role."
 
Damian Rogers | Midfielder | 5-11, 180 | Freshman | Orange Park, Fla. | Oakleaf | Clay County SC
Rogers was a first-team all-county performer who also played football in his senior season at Oakleaf.  He also played for the Clay County SC.
Fonder on Rogers: "Damian will come in and immediately add depth and competition in the center of the park. He is very fluid on the ball and with his movements, we expect him to flourish in our competitive training environment."
 
Aldo Tarantini | Midfielder | 6-1, 160 | Junior | Caracas, Venezuela | Bellaire (Texas) | Appalachian State | Texas SC
Tarantini joins the Camels after appearing in 32 matches over the last two seasons for Sun Belt Conference member Appalachian State.  Tarantini spent his final two seasons of high school in the Houston area where he played for USL2 member Houston FC in 2018 and 2019.  He was a two-time first-team all-district performer and district MVP as a senior at Belliare High School, where he scored 11 goals and assisted on 21 others in two years.  He played club soccer for Texas SC as well as Da Fratela Sport (U-14) and Metropolitanos (U-16/U-18) in his native Venezuela.
Fonder on Tarantini: "Aldo comes to us with two seasons of Division I experience.  He has good size and is very technical.  We expect him to compete for minutes right away."