University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Sign Nine For 2012 Season
February 8, 2012 | Men's Soccer
Feb. 8, 2012
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina men's soccer head coach Carlos Somoano announced the signing of nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. Three of the newcomers joined the Tar Heels in January and will take part in the spring season for Carolina.
Joining the three January enrollees for the 2012 season are six other student-athletes who will look to help North Carolina reach the NCAA College Cup for the fifth consecutive season.
Carolina will welcome in eight high school seniors along with transfer Andy Craven from College of Charleston. Craven along with newcomers Jonathan Campbell and Nico Rittmeyer began their careers with UNC in January.
"We are very excited to have this group of student-athletes," head coach Carlos Somoano said. "We filled a number of needs with this class and they will represent the University of North Carolina in a great way."
Craven was the 2010 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year for the Cougars and scored six goals in eight matches to start 2011 before suffering a season-ending injury.
Five of Carolina's eight incoming freshmen are ranked amongst College Soccer News' Top 150. Joining Craven in 2012 will be defender Joey Amon (Summerville, S.C.), goalkeeper Cole Brooks (Greensboro, N.C.), defender Jonathan Campbell (Greensboro, N.C.), midfielder Danny Garcia (Dallas, Texas), midfielder Nyambi Jabang (Douglasville, Ga.), midfielder Alex Olofson (Raleigh, N.C.), forward Nico Rittmeyer (Savannah, Ga.) and defender Nick Williams (Raleigh, N.C.).
The Tar Heels return six starters from the 2011 National Championship squad, including a trio of ACC All-Freshman Team selections in Mikey Lopez, Boyd Okwuonu and Jordan McCrary along with two-year starting goalkeeper Scott Goodwin.
2012 North Carolina Men's Soccer Signees
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | Previous School | Club |
| Joey Amon | D | 5-7 | 135 | Summerville, S.C. | Summerville | SC United |
| Cole Brooks | GK | 6-2 | 185 | Greensboro, N.C. | Northwest Guilford | NC Fusion |
| Jonathan Campbell* | D | 6-2 | 170 | Greensboro, N.C. | Greensboro Day | NC Fusion |
| Andy Craven* | F | 6-1 | 155 | St. Simon's Island, Ga. | College of Charleston | IMG |
| Danny Garcia | M | 5-5 | 140 | Dallas, Texas | W.T. White | FC Dallas |
| Nyambi Jabang | M | 5-11 | 160 | Douglasville, Ga. | South Paulding | Cobb FC |
| Alex Olofson | M | 5-10 | 155 | Raleigh, N.C. | Millbrook | CASL |
| Nico Rittmeyer* | F | 5-9 | 155 | Savannah, Ga. | Savannah Country Day | SC United |
| Nick Williams | D | 6-0 | 160 | Raleigh, N.C. | Sanderson | CASL |
* - January enrollee
Joey Amon • D • 5-7 • 135 • Summerville, S.C. (Summerville/SC United)
5-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer • Ranked No. 10 in the country by Top Drawer Soccer and No. 16 by College Soccer News and ESPN • Named the top player in the South Atlantic region by Top Drawer Soccer • Participated in the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship where he helped the team claim the title • Was named to the FIFA U-17 World Cup squad advancing to the round of 16 • Has been a member of the U.S. Residency Program for the past three semesters • Selected to the U-16 Academy Select Team in 2009 • Named an NSCAA All-America in 2010 and 2011 • Previously played for South Carolina United.
Cole Brooks • GK • 6-2 • 185 • Greensboro, N.C. (Northwest Guilford/NC Fusion)
Two-year team captain for Northwest Guilford helping lead the squad to the NCHAA Quarterfinals in 2011 • Earned Piedmont Triad 4A All-Conference honors in 2010 and NCSCA Region 7 All-Region honors • Helped lead his club team, NC Fusion, to a No. 6 ranking in 2011 • Reached the finals at the U.S. Developmental Academy Nationals • Named to the honor roll and is a member of the National Honor Society • Played club soccer for North Carolina Fusion.
Jonathan Campbell • D • 6-2 • 170 • Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Day/NC Fusion)
Enrolled at UNC in January • 4-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer • Ranked No. 17 in the country by College Soccer News, No. 21 by ESPN and No. 63 by Top Drawer Soccer • Tabbed No. 15 in the South Atlantic region by Top Drawer Soccer • Participated in the U-19 Stuttgart Junior Cup • Member of the U.S. U-18 team • Named the 2011 North Carolina State Player of the Year • Earned NSCAA All-America honors in 2011 • Played in the inaugural All-American Game in 2011 • A four-time all-state selection • Earned NSCAA All-South region honors three times • Helped claim a pair of Private 3-A State Championships • Claimed three PACIS Conference Player of the Year awards • Earned all-conference and all-county honors all four years • Played club soccer for North Carolina Fusion.
Andy Craven • F • 6-1 • 155 • St. Simon's Island, Ga. (Glynn Acad./College of Charleston/IMG)
Two-year starter at College of Charleston • Named the 2010 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year after scoring four goals and an assist • Started 2011 in impressive fashion by scoring six goals in eight matches before suffering an injury that would end his season • Still earned All-Southern Conference Second Team honors • Ranked No. 66 by Top Drawer Soccer coming out of Glynn Academy • A two-time NSCAA All-America in high school • Member of the U.S. U-17 Residency Program for five semesters • Participated in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Daniel Garcia • M • 5-5 • 140 • Dallas, Texas (W.T. White/FC Dallas)
4-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer • Rated No. 12 in the country by College Soccer News and No. 17 by ESPN • Top Drawer Soccer ranks him No. 15 in the country and No. 7 in the state of Texas • Scored 15 goals in 29 matches with the FC Dallas Academy in the 2010-11 season • Named to the U.S. U-18 and U-20 National teams • 2010/11 Academy Finalist • Played club soccer for FC Dallas.
Nyambi Jabang • M • 5-11 • 160 • Douglasville, Ga. (South Paulding/Cobb FC)
Ranked No. 52 in the country by ESPN • Moved to the United States in 2007 after growing up in The Gambia • Earned All-County first team honors in 2010 • Set the school record for goals scored with 22 in a season • Played in the Disney Soccer Showcase along with appearing in the Atlanta Cup during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons • Played club soccer for Cobb FC.
Alex Olofson • M • 5-10 • 155 • Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook/CASL)
4-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer • Ranked No. 58 in the country by Top Drawer Soccer, No. 98 by College Soccer News and No. 116 by ESPN • Earned North Carolina all-state honors • Named to the North Carolina High School All-Star Team • Named to the adidas Disney Soccer All-Star Team • Member of the U.S. U-14 Team • Played for the U16 & U18 CASL Chelsea FC Academy Teams • Earned Academic All-Conference honors • Played club soccer for CASL.
Nico Rittmeyer • F • 5-9 • 155 • Savannah, Ga. (Savannah Country Day/SC United)
Enrolled at UNC in January • 4-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer • Ranked No. 51 in the country by ESPN, No. 75 by Top Drawer Soccer and No. 80 by College Soccer News • Tapped No. 9 in the South Atlantic Region • Set a school record with 50 goals as a junior and set a national record by scoring a hat trick in 10 straight matches • Earned ESPN All-America honors • Played for the U.S. U-19 team that participated in the Stuttgart Cup in Stuttgart, Germany • Played club soccer for South Carolina United.
Nick Williams • D • 6-0 • 160 • Raleigh, N.C. (Sanderson/CASL)
Three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer • Ranked No. 36 in the nation by ESPN • Named to the all-state team as a senior • Earned NSCAA All-South region honors • Was a NSCAA Scholar All-America in 2011 • Played in the East-West and the North Carolina vs. South Carolina all-star games • A four-time all-conference selection • Two-time all-region pick • Named to the adidas Disney All-Star Team • Ranks second in his class academically • Played club soccer for CASL.
