CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Big South Conference announced the inaugural men's soccer "Top Returners to Watch" list, which was compiled by the league's head coaches, on Tuesday afternoon as High Point University had seven student-athletes named to the list.

Representing the Panthers were Brendan Krueger, Alfred Baafi, Jefferson Amaya, Anthony Ramirez, Lukas Kamrath, Beau Yantz, and Josh Caron.

Krueger, who was listed as a forward, enters his senior season after his best collegiate season, leading High Point with 20 points (six goals and eight assists) in 17 starts, while forward Alfred Baafi scored four goals and recorded three assists over 17 appearances in his first season in the Purple & White.

Amaya, a senior midfielder, returns for his final campaign wearing the captain badge following a junior season, where he netted three goals and dished out six assists in 16 starts. Also tabbed as a midfielder, Ramirez heads into his junior year after netting a goal and assisting on two.

Kamrath enters his second season at HPU after 15 appearances and two goals scored as a transfer defender, while the senior defender Yantz saw action in all 17 games en route to netting one goal and assisting on a pair.

Lastly, the goalkeeper Caron comes into his senior year after starting in 12 games and combining for five shutouts. He surrendered only 11 goals and had 0.93 goals against average with 31 saves on 102 shots faced.

These seven returners were a large part in helping the Panthers to seven team shutouts, while securing High Point's first-ever victory over a top-ranked team (1-0 win at Pittsburgh on Oct. 14, 2024) and winning the team's sixth Big South regular season trophy. 
 
About the Big South "Top Returners to Watch" List
Each team could select up to six returning players (regardless of position) to be included on the Watch List, along with any returning Big South All-Conference and All-Freshman Team members from prior seasons that will play in 2025.

The Big South Preseason Players of the Year honorees in the categories of Offensive, Midfielder, Defensive and Goalkeeper will be selected by the head coaches from the lists, and will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 13, along with the 2025 preseason poll.
 
2025 Big South Men's Soccer Top Returners to Watch
FORWARDS - Name, School, Class
Jaylen Orr, Gardner-Webb, Sr.
Brendan Krueger, High Point, Sr. 
Alfred Baafi, High Point, Jr.
Brando Bedolla, Longwood, Soph.
Aysa Hamid, UNC Asheville, Sr.
Ethan Marks, Winthrop, Jr.
 
MIDFIELDERS - Name, School, Class
Tiago Campos, Gardner-Webb, Jr.
Nate Porterfield, Gardner-Webb, Soph.
Jefferson Amaya, High Point, Sr. 
Anthony Ramirez, High Point, Jr.
Aaron Asamoah, Longwood, Sr.
Aristhid Kamdjin, Longwood, Jr.
Steven Cordova, Presbyterian, Sr.
Jonas Sundli-Hardig, Presbyterian, Soph.
Donovan McClellan, Radford, Sr.
Dax Booth, Radford, Soph.
Hiromassa Iwai, Radford, Jr.
Edvin Grolimund, UNC Asheville, Gr.
Charlie Wood, UNC Asheville, Soph.
Louis Beckett, UNC Asheville, Sr.
Jack Steel, UNC Asheville, Jr.
Ryan Armijo, Winthrop, Soph.
Bernardo Pacheco, Winthrop, Sr.
 
DEFENDERS - Name, School, Class
Leo Andrade, Gardner-Webb, Sr.
Breno Correia, Gardner-Webb, Jr.
Lukas Kamrath, High Point, R-Soph.
Beau Yantz, High Point, Sr.
Joshua Yoder, Longwood, Sr.
David Ambaek, Longwood, Sr.
Jesus Macaya, Longwood, Jr.
Bryce Burdette, Presbyterian, R-Jr.
Benian Yao, UNC Asheville, Gr.
Viðar Ragnarsson, UNC Asheville, Sr.
Emory Crichlow, Winthrop, Jr.
Diego Candia, Winthrop, Sr.
 
GOALKEEPERS - Name, School, Class
Alan Horrocks, Gardner-Webb, Jr.
Josh Caron, High Point, Sr.
Jack Kilstrom, Winthrop, Jr.