NEW YORK — High Point University will have the nation's most players represented at the Major League Soccer College Showcase as men's soccer standouts Jefferson Amaya, Daniel Lugo and Lukas Kamrath received and accepted an invite to attend the four-day event from Dec. 10-13 in Mesa, Arizona.
 
"Having three out of the top 45 college soccer players invited is another great milestone for our program," HPU Head Coach Zach Haines said. "It puts us at the top for invitees and shows that a non-power conference men's soccer program can develop elite players and elite teams with the best. Proud of these guys and know they will represent High Point well."
 
The trio will take part in the talent evaluation event that will give technical staffs from MLS clubs an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation ahead of 2026 MLS SuperDraft, which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m.
 
The Panthers' three invitees — out of 45 players across the country — are tied for the most, alongside Princeton and Maryland, of any team as it is the most student-athletes High Point has ever sent to the MLS College Showcase in one season. It is Amaya's second invitation while it's the first for Lugo and Kamrath.
 
The trio was at the forefront of HPU's best season in program history that featured the school's highest NCAA Tournament national seed (#10), first NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance and 14-2-4 record. The Panthers cruised to an undefeated conference record (9-0) and held the best goal differential in Big South history (30-1) with two trophies to show for.
 
Jefferson Amaya, Midfielder
Amaya's career in Purple & White will be one etched in the record books. The senior has left his mark, becoming the first player in conference history to ever win a different major award in four straight seasons: Big South Freshman of the Year (2022), Big South Offensive Player of the Year (2023) and Big South Defensive Player of the Year (2024) while earning multiple all-region, all-academic, and all-conference nods as a top No. 26 player in the country. During his four-year career, he started in 64 of 66 appearances while scoring 17 goals and assisting on 20 for 54 points. The Charlotte native netted eight game-winning goals and was a perfect 6-for-6 on penalty kick attempts in over 5,000 minutes. Amaya was a part of the Panthers' first NCAA Tournament win — a 2-0 victory over North Carolina in the 2022 first round — as well as the first round of 32 win — a 3-2 victory over West Virginia in the 2025 second round — for the program's first Sweet Sixteen appearance.
 
Daniel Lugo, Forward
In one season at High Point, Lugo has made his presence known. Transferring to High Point from North Carolina, the redshirt sophomore striker made an immediate impact, starting in 19 of 20 games while scoring 14 goals — with a single-season program best seven game-winning scores — and assisting on five for a team and conference-leading 33 points. The Floridan has racked up the accolades in one season as the Big South Offensive Player of the Year, Big South Newcomer of the Year, Big South Tournament MVP, Big South First Team member, MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree, and TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year Finalist after being named a TDS Midseason Top 100 Player at No. 31.
 
Lukas Kamrath, Defender
In two seasons, Kamrath has started in 34 of 35 appearances while scoring five goals — two game-winning scores — and assisting on one in nearly 3,000 minutes. The Floridan, who transferred to High Point from Notre Dame in 2024, has been a consistent anchor behind his scoring ability and defensive stance in helping register 16 clean sheets. The Big South Defensive Player of the Year premiered on SportsCenter for an incredible header save against top-ranked Marshall in 2025, and has been a constant all-conference force.
 
 
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