High Point University men's soccer coach Dustin Fonder announced the addition of nine players for the 2012 season on Monday. The Panthers will welcome its most highly decorated class ever which includes two high school All-Americans along with five All-State honorees.

Ben Burdon (Charlotte, N.C.), Kevin Fallet (Takoma Park, Md.), Nate Lee (Rockville, Md.), Westin Lendon (Peachtree City, Ga.), Steven Machi (Upper St. Clair, Pa.), Pat Shelton (Tampa, Fla.), Adam Storm (Greensboro, N.C.), Colin Sweeney (Southborough, Mass.), and Austin Yearwood (Charlotte, N.C) will combine to form HPU's 2012 recruiting class.

“We are very excited to welcome this recruiting class to the High Point University soccer family,” Fonder said. “This class exemplifies what we look for here at High Point.  All the members of this class possess sound character, a commitment to academics, and outstanding potential on the field.  Despite the fact that this is a large class, we have no doubt that their quality and work ethic will continue to push our program to new heights.”

Ben Burdon
Forward
Charlotte, N.C.
5-7, 155
Providence High School

Prior to High Point: Three-year letter winner from Providence High School … Had 50 goals and 38 assists in his final two prep seasons … Named first-team All-State in 2011 and honorable mention All-State in 2009 … Named the 2011 Southwestern 4A Conference Player of the Year … Earned 2011 All-Observer honors from the Charlotte Observer … Named to the 2011 South Charlotte SuperTeam … Three-Time first-team All-Region selection (2009-11) … Three-time first-team All-Conference selection (2009-11) … Plays club soccer with the Charlotte Soccer Academy of the US Soccer Development Academy … Has scored 43 goals in two-plus seasons … Named to the South Conference Starting XI for the 2010-11 academy season after leading his team with 22 goals, second-most in the nation …  Named one of the top forwards to watch in the Class of 2012 by ESPNHS … Played in the 2011 ESPNHS All-American Game … Ranked the No. 41 prospect in the Class of 2012 by ESPNHS … Ranked No. 72 in the Class of 2012 by College Soccer News … Rated a four-star prospect and the 79th-best recruit in the Class of 2012 by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Personal: Son of Bob and Tamara Burdon … Born on July 26, 1994 … Has one younger sister, Emma.

Fonder on Burdon: “Ben is an electric attacking player with great leadership qualities.  We feel that he has the type of pace and explosiveness that can change the game in an instant. We expect that he will be able to contribute early in his HPU career.”

Kevin Fallet
Midfielder/Defender
Takoma Park, Md.
6-3, 180
Montgomery Blair High School

Prior to High Point: Four-year letter winner at Montgomery Blair High School … Led his team with 11 goals in his senior season … Helped guide his team to the Division 4A Championship in 2011 ... Two-time first-team All-Gazette (2010-11) … Second-team All-Met in 2011 … Two-time Team MVP (2010-11) ... Plays club soccer with Bethesda Real … Finished third in 2011 Disney Soccer Tournament.

Personal: Son of Vilasco Fallet and Marcenne Jackson ... Born on Oct. 4, 92 ... Father played for the Ivory Coast Men's National Team.

Fonder on Fallet: “Kevin is an extremely athletic player who we feel will only continue to blossom within our competitive training environment.  His size and range will be tremendous assets to our program, and we expect him to be able to compete for time at several positions next fall.”

Nate Lee
Defender
Derwood, Md.
5-11, 150
Magruder High School

Prior to High Point: Two-year letter winner at Magruder High School … Helped his team to the 2010 4A Maryland Soccer State Championship … Plays club soccer with Bethesda Real … Finished third in 2011 Disney Soccer Tournament.

Personal: Son of Henry and Diane Lee … Born on May 6, 1994 … Has two twin brothers, Alex and Justin … Brother, Alex, played soccer with the University of Maryland and was selected with the 11th-overall pick on the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by Dallas FC … Brother, Justin, played soccer at Penn State University.

Fonder on Lee: “Nate is a really versatile player. He is left footed so we can play him anywhere on that side of the field. Over time we feel that he also has the ability to develop into a quality center back.”

Westin Lendon
Defender
Peachtree City, Ga.
5-11, 170
McIntosh High School

Prior to High Point: Four-year letter winner at McIntosh High School … Helped guide his team to three-straight appearances in the state finals … One of just 16 players in the history of the McIntosh High School to letter as a freshman … Named one of the top Class of 2012 players in Georgia by ESPNHS … Plays club soccer with the Concorde Fire of the US Soccer Development Academy … Played center back on a team that surrendered less than a goal per game … Finished in first place in the Southeast Division with a 20-2-3 record, second-best record in the nation in 2011 … Named one of the top defenders to watch in the Class of 2012 by ESPNHS … Rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Personal: Son of Brad and Miki Lendon … Born on April 12, 1994 … Has one younger brother, Taka.

Fonder on Lendon: “Westin is another one of our versatile recruits that we think can play either in the back or in the midfield. He is a tenacious, high energy player who brings a great work ethic to both training and games.”

Steven Machi
Defender
Upper St. Clair, Pa.
6-0, 160
Upper St. Clair High School

Prior to High Point: Four-year letter winner from Upper St. Clair High School … Put up 12 goals and 15 assists in his senior season … Helped his team to a 20-2-2 record and an appearance in the Pennsylvania AAA State Championship game in 2011 … Named 2011 first-team All-State by ESPN HS … Named a Post Gazette All-Star and a member of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review Elite 11 … 2011 first-team All-District … Named one of the top Class of 2012 players in Pennsylvania by ESPNHS … Plays club soccer with the Cleveland Internationals of the US Soccer Development Academy … Rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Personal: Son of Tony and Charlene Machi … Born on Nov. 18, 1993 … Has three older brothers, Jeremy, Andy and Mark … Brother, Jeremy, played soccer at Carnegie Mellon … Brother, Andy, played soccer and was a team captain at Penn State.

Fonder on Machi: “Steven is a solid soccer player. There is not a lot of flair to his game but he consistently does the little things right. We think this consistency, combined with his competitive fire, will give him the ability to contribute anywhere along our back line.”

Pat Shelton
Forward/Midfielder
Tampa, Fla.
5-11, 155
Paul R. Wharton High School

Prior to High Point: Three-year letter winner from Paul R. Wharton High School … Plays club soccer with the Clearwater Chargers of the US Soccer Development Academy … Led his team in goals scored during the 2010-11 season … Took part in the US Soccer Federation Youth National Team ID Camp in both 2010 and 2011 … Part of the Florida State ODP team and the Region 1 pool from 2007-09 … Rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Personal: Son of Mark and Kathleen Shelton … Born on Jan. 6, 1994 … Father played football at Richmond.

Fonder on Shelton: “Pat is a player that we think is flying under the radar. He is a very creative player who sees the game extremely well. He is very good at taking clever touches in and around the 18-yard box and we feel he is a guy who can come in and make an impact during his career.”

Adam Storm
Midfielder/Defender
Greensboro, N.C.
6-0, 185
Northern Guilford High School

Prior to High Point: Four-year letter winner at Northern Guilford High School … Scored 43 career goals and had 31 career assists while playing primarily as a centerback … Helped guide his team to three-straight Conference Championships (2009-11) … Two-time All-State honoree (2010-11) … Three-time all-Region selection (2009-11) … Selected to play in the NC East-West All-Star Game … Plays club soccer with North Carolina Fusion of the US Soccer Development Academy … Captained his team to a sixth-place showing at Nationals in 2011 … Rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Personal: Son of Kurt and Marnie Storm … Born on June 17, 1994 … His one younger brother, Mason, and one younger sister, Zoe.

Fonder on Storm: “Adam is a local product that we have had the ability to see develop over the years. He has a great soccer IQ and reads the game very well. We feel he has the ability to provide both depth and competition anywhere in the central midfield and along our back line.”
Colin Sweeney
Midfielder
Southborough, Mass.
5-7, 135
Algonquin Regional High School

Prior to High Point: Four year letter winner at Algonquin Regional High School … Named a 2011 Mid Wach Conference All-Star … Helped his team to back-to-back Sectional Championships … Plays club soccer with the New England Revolution Academy of the US Soccer Development Academy … Two-year member of the Region I ODP team … Five-year member of the Massachusetts State ODP team … Named one of the top Class of 2012 players in Massachusetts by ESPNHS … Rated a three-start prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Personal: Son of Bryan and Christina Sweeney … Born on Feb. 10, 1994 … Has one older brother, Brennan, one older sister, Sarah, and one younger sister, Kendall … Sister, Sarah, played soccer at HPU … father played football at Boston College … Uncle, Mark, played professional baseball for 13 seasons.

Fonder on Sweeney: “Colin is a very technical soccer player who possesses great quickness. He excels at playing in tight spaces. We see Colin as being able to compete for quality minutes on the flanks due to his blue collar work ethic and excellent fitness level.”

Austin Yearwood
Defender
Charlotte, N.C.
5-11, 150
South Mecklenburg High School

Prior to High Point: Two-year letter winner at South Mecklenburg High School … One-year letter winner at Myers Park High School … Finished with 14 goals and 35 assists in two years at South Mecklenburg … 2011 NCSCA All-State selection … Three-time All-Region (2009-11) … Three-time All-Conference (2009-11) … Plays club soccer with the Charlotte Soccer Academy of the US Soccer Development Academy … Took part in the United States U17 National Team Residency Camp in 2009 … Played in the ESPNHS All-American Game … Named one of the top defenders to watch in the Class of 2012 by ESPNHS … Ranked the No. 50 prospect in the Class of 2012 by ESPNHS … Rated a four-star prospect and the 85th-best recruit in the Class of 2012 by TopDrawerSoccer.com … Ranked No. 117 in the Class of 2012 by College Soccer News.

Personal: Son of Edric and Machelle Yearwood … Born on Aug. 12, 1994 … Has one older sister, Nicole … Plays club soccer with fellow HPU recruit Ben Burdon.

Fonder on Yearwood: “Austin comes to HPU as a highly decorated recruit. We think that once he fills out he has a chance to be an excellent attacking left back. His attacking nature and excellent dead ball delivery make him an imposing attacking weapon out of the back.”

High Point returns nine starters and four if its top five scorers from last season including the Big South's second-leading scorer Alex Martinez and All-Conference members Fejiro Okiomah, Shawn Sloan and Adam Sewell.