DALLAS (SMU) - SMU men's soccer head coach Tim McClements announced Monday the signing of four standout high school players for the 2009 recruiting class.

"We're very excited about the players we signed this year," McClements said. "This is a well-balanced class that provides depth and competition at every position. This class is very high in quality, and we think these players will have a great impact on our program in the fall."

Ben Hill is a forward from Coppell High School who also plays club soccer for the Dallas Texans.

"Ben is a prolific goal scorer from Coppell High School who is the leading scorer in school history. He's a very athletic, physical scorer who will be a good complement to our current forwards. He has played on the Dallas Texans club team with several of our current players, including Arthur Ivo, and was an NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) All-America this year."

Blake Milton is a midfielder/forward from Klein High School outside of Houston who plays club soccer for the Texas Soccer Club.

"Blake is a speedy flank player who also has the ability to play forward," McClements said. "His pace and athleticism will be a great asset to our team, and he helps us maintain a pipeline of top South Texas players coming to SMU."

T.J. Nelson is defender/forward from Garland, Texas, who plays for Sachse High School and the North Texas Strikers club team in the Dallas Classic League. The No. 45 player on topdrawersoccer.com's list of the top 100 players in the nation, Nelson plays forward for his club team, is a defender for the Region III ODP (Olympic Development Program) and played on the Under-17 National Team.

"T.J. is an extremely versatile player who comes to SMU with Under-17 National Team experience," McClements said. "He has been a standout player in the Classic League and in the Region III ODP program, and is ranked as one of the top recruits in the nation."

Bryan Ponce is a defender at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., who plays for the prestigious Pateadores Soccer Club and is ranked No. 92 on topdrawersoccer.com's national Top 100 list.

"Bryan is a very composed, technically gifted defender who possesses the ability to handle the physical aspects of Div. I soccer," McClements said. "His physical toughness and his skill on the ball will be valuable assets to our back line. He also continues the tradition of Pateadores players who have come to SMU, including Bret, Scott and (current SMU goalkeeper) Eric Corbin, Bryan Doi, Byron and Erick Foss, Wade Fraser and Ryan Kenyon.)

The four newcomers join three other players who joined the Mustangs in January: midfielders Tate McMullen, Basile Riboud and Josue Soto.