HIGH POINT, N.C. - High Point University men's soccer head coach EJ O'Keeffe announced the addition of 14 players for the 2016 season on Thursday. The 2016 class includes three forwards, five midfielders, four defenders and two goalkeepers.
 
Siggi Benonysson (Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland), Jon Bolanos (Miramar, Fla.), Austin Britt (Kernersville, N.C.), Connor Cesar (Birmingham, England), Camden Cook (Rosedale, Md.), Jed Dalton (Warrenton, Va.), Pat Fallon (Swarthmore, Pa.), Ryan Inman (Birmingham, England), Connor Jones (Clayton, N.C.), Chad Poarch (Middletown, Del .), Tommy Spear (Mount Airy, Md.) and Jaime Vasconcellos (American Hebrew Academy) will all join HPU as freshmen next season while Nate Lee (Derwood, Md.) and Dan McClintock (Glastonbury, Conn.) join the Panthers as transfers.
 
"We are very excited about this 2016 class coming in," O'Keeffe said. "It is a large class of student-athletes that should be able impact the program in both the immediate future as well as grow the long-term brand of High Point Soccer. All of these young men have tremendous character and are winners on and off the field. We look forward to having them officially join the HPU soccer family."

  Siggi Benonysson
Forward
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
6-0, 180
Sigurður Grétar Benóny´sson

Prior to High Point: Played with the Iceland U17 and U19 National Teams … Led Iceland U19 team with 14 goals in 17 games in 2015 … Had two goals and two assists in the Icelandic Premier League with IBV.

Personal: Undecided on Major … Son of Benony Gislason and Jona Helgadottir … Born on Aug. 27, 1996 … Has two older sisters, Guorun and Sjofn Benonysdottir.

O'Keeffe on Benonysson: "Siggi is a physical presence up top with tremendous character and work rate. He is someone that will impact the program on and off the field. He's a tremendous young man with a great personality that should do very well here at HPU."
 
Jon Bolanos
Forward/Midfielder
Miramar, Fla.
5-10, 140
Somerset Academy Charter
 
Prior to High Point: Graduated from Somerset Academy Charter … Three-year letter winner … Named 2015 first-team Broward County … Led his team with 15 goals and 13 assists as a junior … Helped lead his prep team to the district title in 2015 … Played club soccer with Kendall Academy as a senior … Started 24 games and scored nine goals.
 
Personal: Plans to major in Business … Son of Antonio and Susan Bolanos … Born on May 20, 1996 … Has one younger brother, Nicolas.
 
O'Keeffe on Bolanos: "Jon is a crafty and technical midfielder. He had a tremendous year for Kendall SC of the USSDA. Jon has a lot of soccer in him, once he gets used to the physicality of the game he can blossom into a player for us."
 
Austin Britt
Midfielder
Kernersville, N.C.
5-6, 130
East Forsyth High School
 
Prior to High Point: Graduated from East Forsyth High School … Four-year letter winner … 2015 All-State selection … Three-time All-Region and All-Conference selection … Had 43 goals and 41 assists over his final three prep seasons, including 22 as a senior … Played club soccer with the North Carolina Fusion … Won the State Cup with the Fusion.
 
Personal: Plans to major in Exercise Science … Son of Dickie Britt III and Terri Britt … Born on Sept. 20, 1997 … Has two younger brothers, Carson and Caleb … Father played football as NC State.
 
O'Keeffe on Britt: "Austin is a local product that has tremendous character and competes. He has a high soccer IQ that will make him useful in a number of positions here at HPU."
 
Connor Cesar
Forward/Midfielder
Birmingham, England
6-2, 155
Bishop Walsh

Prior to High Point: Played in the Birmingham City FC Academy system …  Holds the record for youth goals scored in a season with 64 goals in all competitions.

Personal: Undecided on major … Son of Michael and Alexandra Cesar … Born on Sept. 3, 1996 … Has to older sisters, Charlotte and Mimi.

O'Keeffe on Cesar: " Connor comes to us from England and is a dynamic winger/forward that we expect to make an immediate impact. We can rely on Connor to take players on as well as finish. We look forward to him bolstering our attack next year."
 
Camden Cook
Goalkeeper
Rosedale, Md.
6-1, 195
Eastern Technical High School
 
Prior to High Point: Graduated from Eastern Technical High School … Four-year letter winner … Finished his prep career with a 0.70 goals-against average and 25 shutouts in 32 games … Played club soccer with Pipeline Soccer Club.
 
Personal: Plans to major in Exercise Science … Son of Christopher and Robin Cook … Born on June 8, 1998 … Has one older brother, Brandon.
 
O'Keeffe on Cook: "Camden is a physical demanding goalkeeper that will bring a competitive spirit every day. I like the energy he will bring into the program. He has the ability to develop into a good goalkeeper during his time here at HPU."
 
Jed Dalton
Midfielder
Warrenton, Va.
5-9, 165
Kettle Run High School
 
Prior to High Point: Graduated from Kettle Run High School … Four-year letter winner … Two-time All-State and All-Region (2015-16) … Three-time All-Conference  (2014-16) … Finished his prep career with 57 goals and 52 assists … Helped lead his prep team to two conference championships, two region championships and the 2014 VHSL 3A State Championship … Played with the Virginia ODP State team between 2009-14 … Won the 2014 State Cup Championship.
 
Personal: Undecided on major … Son of Jim and Deb Dalton … Born on June 11, 1997 … Has one brother, Trevor, and one sister, Abbie … Father played soccer at Bethany College.
 
O'Keeffe on Dalton: "Jed is a utility player that can fill a lot of needs for us. He will add depth and balance early as he comes along in the program."
 
Pat Fallon
Goalkeeper
Swarthmore, Pa.
6-4, 200
Archmere Academy (University of New Hampshire)
 
Prior to High Point: Redshirted one season at the University of New Hampshire … Graduated from Archmere Academy … Three-year letter winner … Two-time All-State (Delaware) and All-Conference selection … Played club soccer with Kirkwood SC.
 
Personal: Plans to major in Business … Son of Joseph and Kathleen Fallon … Born on Dec. 27, 1996 … Has one younger brother, Sean … Father played football at Lafayette College … Uncles played football at Lehigh University and Villanova University.
 
O'Keeffe on Fallon: "Pat will be a great compliment to our goalkeeping core. He is a physical presence in the net. I look forward to seeing how he develops here at HPU."
 
Ryan Inman
Midfielder
Birmingham, England
5-11, 155
Shenley Academy
 
Prior to High Point: Graduated from Shenley Academy … Played in the Birmingham City Academy system … Captained the club's U19 team for three seasons … Back-to-back National U19 League and Cup Winner.
 
Personal: Undecided on major … Son of Michael and Susan Inman … Born on Sept. 28, 1996 … Has one older sister, Nicole.
 
O'Keeffe on Inman: "Ryan is a steady and smooth center midfielder who is a leader. Ryan connects the game and can play anywhere in the middle of the park. We look forward to seeing him have a great career here."
 
Connor Jones
Midfielder/Defender
Clayton, N.C.
5-8, 150
Clayton High School
 
Prior to High Point: Graduated from Clayton High School … Two-year letter winner … Two-time All-Conference (2012-13) … 2013 All-Region selection … Played club soccer with the Capital Area Railhawks.
 
Personal: Plans to major in Business … Son of David and Kimberly Jones … Born on May 24, 1998 … Has one older brother, Chase … Father played football at Western Carolina … Mother cheered at East Carolina … Brother is currently a sophomore on the Bridgewater College soccer team.
 
O'Keeffe on Jones: "Connor is a fierce competitor with high character. He joins us from one of the best USSDA programs, CASL. He is someone that we expect to be an asset to the program next year along with his entire career."
 
Nate Lee
Defender
Derwood, Md.
5-11, 155
Colonel Zadok Magruder High School (Penn State)
 
International: Capped four times by the Guam National Team where he has played alongside former HPU forward Shane Malcolm.
 
Prior to High Point: Played three seasons at Penn State … Played in 32 games with 19 starts … Previously redshirted during his freshman season at High Point … Graduated from Colonel Zadok Magruder High School … Two-year letter winner … Led his prep team to the 2010 4A Maryland Soccer State Championship … Played club soccer with Bethesda Real.
 
Personal: Majoring in Communications … Son of Henry and Diane Lee … Born on May 6, 1994 … Has twin brothers, Alex and Justin … Justin played soccer at Penn State … Alex played soccer at the University of Maryland and was selected in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by FC Dallas.
 
O'Keeffe on Lee: "Nate is a competitive player who has all the physical attributes to be a great left back here at HPU. He has great college and international experience and should help us immediately."
 
Dan McClintock
Defender
Glastonbury, Conn.
5-10, 165
South Kent School (Embry-Riddle)
 
Prior to High Point: Played two seasons at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University … Appeared in 29 games with 25 starts for the Eagles and finished with one goal and one assist … Graduated from South Kent Prep School … Helped lead South Kent to the 2014 NEPSSA Class A New England Championship … Played three seasons at Glastonbury High School … Played club soccer with Oakwood US Soccer Academy.

Personal: Majoring in Business … Son of Richard Furst and Paulette McClintock … Born on Aug. 15, 1995 … Has two older brothers, Matt and Gregory, and one older sister, Stephanie … Brother, Greg, played lacrosse at Lehigh University … Father played soccer at Quinnipiac College.

O'Keeffe on McClintock: "Dan comes from arguably the most competitive Div. II conference in the country. He will be a versatile option for us on the left side of the field."
 
Chad Poarch
Defender
Middletown, Del.
5-11, 145
Middletown High School

Prior to High Point: Graduated from Middletown High School … Three-year letter winner … Two-time All-State selection (2013-14) … 2014 TopDrawerSoccer Tristate Combine second-team top XI … Played club soccer with the Continental FC Academy … Won four State Cups with Kirkwood Roma … Invited to US U20 National Camp in July of 2016.

Personal: Undecided on major … Son of Brad and Cynthia Poarch … Born on Dec. 30, 1997 … Has two brothers, Stephen and Jordan, and one sister, Alyssa … Brother, Stephen, played basketball at Washington College … Brother, Jordan played soccer at Virginia and UNCG.

O'Keeffe on Poarch: Chad is a dynamic option for us out of the back. He has all the physical qualities to do well here at HPU. As with every freshman there will be an adjustment period for him but we expect him to have a great career for us."
 
Tommy Spear
Defender
Mount Airy, Md.
6-2, 200
South Carroll High School

Prior to High Point: Graduated from South Carroll High School … Three-year letter winner … 2014 second-team All-State selection … 2014 County Player of the Year … Two-time first-team All-County (2013-14) … Led team in assists as a sophomore and junior … Played club soccer with Bethesda-Olney Soccer Academy.
 
Personal: Plans to major in Business … Son of Stephen and Patricia Spear … Born on May 5, 1998 … Has one older brother, Robert.
 
O'Keeffe on Spear: "Tommy is a physical defender with fantastic work rate. He comes out of a great USSDA program, BOSA.  We look for him to add depth across our back line."
 
Jaime Vasconcellos
Forward
Belem, Brazil
6-0, 180
American Hebrew Academy
 
Prior to High Point: Graduated from American Hebrew Academy… Three-year letter winner … 2014 All-State selection … Two-time All-Conference selection (2013-14) … Played club soccer with NC Fusion.
 
Personal: Plans to major in Engineering … Son of Fabio and Nina Vasconcellos … Born on Aug. 29, 1997 … Has two brothers, Daniel and Lauro.
 
O'Keeffe on Vasconcellos: "Jaime is a big target that has a knack for goals. He had a breakout year for NC Fusion of the USSDA. He is someone that will only get better as he develops in our program."
 
The Panthers return several key pieces from a team that finished 8-6-7 in 2015, its eighth-consecutive finish of .500 of better. Among the returners are All-Big South selections Ebe Kudolo, Johnny Fenwick and Renato Punyed and All-Freshman pick Rashid Tetteh.

#GoHPU