WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNCW Head Men's Soccer Coach
Aidan Heaney will welcome an incoming class of six players, including a trio of North Carolina products, for the 2019 season.
Michael Morell of San Antonio, Texas, Jalen Anderson of Hamden, Conn., and Jeffrey Masser of Tampa, Fla., will join North Carolina natives Gabe Mercer, Colton Pleasants and Cannon Tootle as part of the new group of Seahawks.
2019 UNCW Men's Soccer Recruits
Jalen Anderson
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Hamden, Conn.
High School: Kingwood
Club Team: Houston Dynamo Academy
Highlights: Scored 31 goals as a member of the Houston Dynamo Academy U-14 team before adding 18 goals with the U-16 squad … competed at the International Tournament of Montaigu along with GA Cup and DA Showcase events … member of track & field team at Kingwood High School.
Coach Heaney Says: "Jalen is a highly regarded forward playing for Houston Dynamo's Academy who can also play wide in the attack. He has U.S. National Team experience at the U15 level and has been a consistent goal scorer for his team. He is blessed with tremendous pace and power and will give us an added threat with his speed and finishing. Jalen is a top recruit and we are delighted he chose to join our Seahawk family."
Jeffrey Masser
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: Jesuit
Club Team: Tampa Bay United
Highlights: Four-time state champion at Jesuit High School … earned ECNL All-America honors for Tampa Bay United … member of national and regional championship team with Tampa Bay United.
Coach Heaney Says: "Jeffrey plays as a holding midfielder and has lead his club to a National Championship and National final in the last two years. He was someone we identified early in the recruiting process that could be a possible impact player with the spots we graduate. He is very adept at helping build from the back, makes smart decisions and is a good passer of the ball. Jeffrey reads the game very well and does a good job anchoring the midfield."
Gabe Mercer
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Wake Forest, N.C.
High School: Crossroads Flex
Club Team: NCFC Academy U-18/19
Highlights: Played freshman and sophomore years at Heritage High School, scoring nine goals with 26 assists … two-time all-conference selection at Heritage … earned NCFC Player-of-the-Month in June while playing for NCFC Elite 00 … finished with 10 goals and 10 assists for NCFC Elite 00 … has played in every fall season game for NCFC Academy U-18/19, recording four assists … cousin, Katie Fretwell, plays soccer at Salem College … cousin, Beatrice Fretwell, plays soccer at UNC Pembroke … grandfather, Jack Fretwell, played basketball and competed on track & field team at the University of the South.
Coach Heaney Says: "Gabe is a skillful wide player who can also play centrally in an attacking role. He is really coming on of late and will give us some attacking threats and creativity as he has the confidence to try things, as well as willingness to combine with others. He has been in outstanding form for his NCFC Academy team this season and I am looking forward to helping him continue his development further here at UNCW."
Michael Morell
Position: Midfield/Defense
Height: 5-9
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
High School: Ronald Reagan
Club Team: Classics Elite
Highlights: Team captain at Reagan High School who led squad to regional championship and appearance in 6-A state championship game … honored as team MVP … earned First-Team All-District and Second-Team All-State distinction … member of 2018-19 Top Drawer Soccer All-America Watch List … competed in 2018 ECNL Tulsa Showcase and ECNL Pennsylvania Showcase events with Classics Elite … two-year letter winner for Ronald Reagan High School cross country team … father, Steve, played soccer at Penn State.
Coach Heaney Says: "Michael really caught our eye when he attended our camp this summer. He is skillful, tidy on the ball and has a great engine to get around the pitch. I believe he can add to our team in either a central or right-sided role and see this as just the start of him furthering his development. He is a key player and leader on his club side, Classics Elite from San Antonio, Texas, and feel he is an excellent addition to our program and University."
Colton Pleasants
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Crossroads Flex
Club Team: North Carolina FC
Highlights: Captain of 2018-19 NCFC U-19 Academy team … also served as captain of NCFC U-17 Academy team in 2016-17 … led NCFC U-19 squad with 13 goals during 2017-18 season … played in summer and winter academy showcase events from 2013-14 to 2017-18.
Coach Heaney Says: "Colton is arguably the top prospect in North Carolina coming out in 2019 and has been a leader and consistent producer on his NCFC Academy team. He is an extremely technical player with a high soccer IQ. He has good vision and tactical awareness along with the ability to unlock a defense. He also has the ability to not only create chances but finish them as well. He has excellent leadership qualities and is a fiercely competitive young man."
Cannon Tootle
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Swansboro, N.C.
High School: Swansboro
Club Team: Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC/OCSA
Highlights: Three-time all-conference selection for Swansboro High School … earned all-area and all-state distinction as a sophomore and junior … recognized as the 2017 Coastal Conference Player-of-the-Year … scored 59 goals with 56 assists in his scholastic career … competed at CASL College Showcase, Disney Showcase and Richmond, Va., College Showcase events with club team.
Coach Heaney Says: "Cannon is a dynamic wide player who likes to drive at defenders and take players on. He also has the capability to shoot with either foot. We have watched Cannon for a number of years having played locally for the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC. He has a lot of potential and is physically maturing. He will definitely be an exciting player to watch."
