ELON, N.C. – Elon head men’s soccer coach Darren Powell has announced the addition of two more newcomers to the program for the 2009 season. Nicholas Butterly (Cary, N.C./Green Hope High/CASL Chelsea Academy) and Reed Dillard (Dallas, Texas/Plano West/Andromeda) will join fellow freshmen Chris Thomas (Snellville, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian/Norcross Fury 91), Gabe Latigue (Apex, N.C./Panther Creek/Triangle Futbol Club) and Mark Berlin (Winston-Salem, N.C./Mt. Tabor/'90 Twins City Youth) in Elon’s quest to defend its 2008 Southern Conference regular-season title. Archie Karpeh (Roseville, Minn./Pendleton School/IMG), who joined the team in the spring, will also make his debut in the maroon and gold.

Nicholas Butterly

Position: Center Back

Hometown: Cary, N.C.

High School: Green Hope High

Club: CASL Chelsea Academy


Nick Butterly, a 6-1, 175-pound center back, was the team captain at Green Hope High in 2007 and 2008. He earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior and was selected to compete on the East Team for the North Carolina All-Star Game in his final season. Butterly played club soccer for coach Rusty Scarborough, helping CASL Chelsea Academy to four consecutive state cups from 2004-2007.  The team was also a back-to-back winner of the Disney Showcase event, taking the title in 2007 and 2008.  

Nick is the son of David and Kay Butterly.

Butterly on why he chose Elon: “I chose Elon for a great education and because I really enjoyed meeting the team. I also really like the campus.”

Powell on Butterly: “Nick is one of the top defenders in North Carolina. He is a good addition to our program both academically and athletically. He is strong in the air and will develop into a good, solid center back for our program.”

Reed Dillard

Position: Goalkeeper

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

High School: Plano West

Club: Andromeda 91


Reed Dillard, a 5-10, 185-pound goalkeeper, was a three-sport athlete at Plano West High School, competing in soccer, baseball and football. In 2008, Dillard helped Plano’s top-ranked soccer and baseball teams to national championships. After also leading his club team, Andromeda 91, to the 2008 USYS U-17 National Championship, Dillard was honored with the adidas Golden Glove award, an honor given to the player in each division who had the greatest impact in the national championships. Andromeda 91 also won the 2008 USYS Region III Championship and was a back-to-back North Texas State Cup finalist.

Reed is the son of Wynn and Tammy Dillard.

Dillard on why he chose Elon: “I chose Elon because the atmosphere on campus was great. Meeting the team made me feel very welcome. With good academics and good soccer, it was the right fit.”

Powell on Dillard: “Reed is an excellent young goalkeeper. Every time we watch him play he impresses us. With day-to-day training, we expect Reed to develop into a top goalkeeper during his time at Elon.”

Chris Thomas

Position: Forward

Hometown: Snellville, Ga.

High School: Greater Atlanta Christian School

Club: Norcross Fury 91


Thomas, a 6-0, 175-pound forward, comes to the Phoenix program following a stellar prep and club career. After breaking the Greater Atlanta Christian School’s record for goals in a season with 41 in 2008, Thomas reset the standard with 53 goals in his senior season. He also holds the program record with 143 goals during his career. Thomas was recently named the 2008-09 Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year after leading GAC to its third state title in four years.

The two-time Gwinnett Daily Post Player of the Year was also a 2008 All-South Region selection by the NSCAA as well as the 2008 A-AAAA Gwinnett County Player of the Year. Thomas helped lead Tony Annan's Norcross Fury 91 club squad to a 2008 State Cup title, the 2008 Potomac championship, the 2008 Score at the Shore crown, the 2008 R3PL title and the 2008 CASL championship.

Chris is the son of Gilbert and Donna Thomas.

Thomas on Elon: “I chose Elon because of its academic reputation and because it gave me the opportunity to play Division I soccer.  Also, I thought the campus was beautiful.”

Powell on Thomas: “Chris was one of the most exciting forwards we saw during the recruiting process and we look forward to working with him here at Elon. He is dynamic, has a good work ethic and has the ability to score big goals. All of this has given him a good foundation to be successful when he arrives in August.”

Gabe Latigue

Position: Midfielder

Hometown: Apex, N.C.

High School: Panther Creek

Club: Triangle Futbol Club


Latigue a 5-9, 150-pound midfielder, comes to Elon after earning 2008 NSCAA All-South region accolades and helping lead Panther Creek to a 2008 conference title. A three-time first team all-league pick, Latigue also earned first team all-region honors and first team all-state distinction on two occasions. He was named the 2008 Tri-8 4A Conference Player of the Year. Competing for Dan Popik's Triangle Futbol Club, Latigue helped the program capture a 2008 state title.

Gabe is the son of Karl and Andrial Latigue.

Latigue on Elon: “I chose Elon because of the great opportunity that is given to excel and be successful both on and off the pitch.”

Powell on Latigue: “Gabe is a creative player from North Carolina. He will grow in the college environment and that will take his game to new levels. He has the ability to beat players one-on-one and create opportunities for his teammates.”

Mark Berlin

Position: Defender

Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.

High School: Mt. Tabor

Club: Twins City Youth


Berlin, a 5-9, 145-pound defender, was an all-conference and all-region selection at Mt. Tabor High School. Berlin helped Paul Forster's club program to the 2008 Jefferson Cup title as well as a finals appearance at the 2008 Score at the Shore tournament. The team was also a 2006 State Cup finalist when current Elon assistant Jason O'Keefe coached the squad.

Mark is the son of Steve and Bonnie Berlin.

Berlin on Elon:“I wanted to come to Elon because the coaches are great and I wanted to be a part of the remarkable camaraderie that I saw in the team when I attended Elon’s summer soccer camp.  The academics at Elon are a good fit for me.”

Powell on Berlin: ”Mark is a tenacious defender who will develop well here at Elon. He has a tremendous work ethic and attitude which has prepared him well for the college game.”

Archie Karpeh

Position: Forward

Hometown: Circle Pines, Minn.

High School: Pendleton School

Club: IMG


Karpeh, a 5-9, 150-pound forward, has been a member of the United States U-17 National Team and was a two-time adidas All-American (2007, 2008). He was also awarded the 2007 adidas MVP award. A four-year captain for Tom Durkin’s IMG squad, Karpeh claimed team MVP accolades from 2004-2007. The program also advanced the Florida Cup Final Four.

Archie is the son of Albert Karpeh and Tracy Planle.

Karpeh on why he chose Elon: “I chose Elon because I like the kind of things that the coaches teach their players. I also like Elon because of its good academic reputation.”

Powell on Karpeh: “Archie is a forward who has had some U.S. National team experience. He is a very dynamic, attacking player who will come in and compete well with this team. Archie has an infectious character that will bring the best out of others around him.”

The Elon men’s soccer team will host High Point University in the 2009 season opener on Tuesday, September 1 at 7 p.m.