UNCW head men’s soccer coach Aidan Heaney has announced an incoming class of eight players for the 2015 season.

“I am really looking forward to working with this group of young men,” said Heaney. “It is a group of talented soccer players, with a real mix of qualities, as well as great character. I see them really helping us to continue to be successful on the field and in the classroom. We have worked extremely hard to try and attract the best players and people to wear the Seahawk jersey that we can, and I feel we have done that. Our freshmen have some big shoes to fill but know they are ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and get started in August. Special thanks to Assistant Coaches Zach Haines and Daniel Roberts for their efforts to attract this level of talent to our program.”

Ryan Day (Raleigh, N.C./Cardinals Gibbons) is a defender who plays with the Capital Area Railhawks Academy program. Day served as captain of the U14 and U16 teams while participating in the US Soccer Development Academy’s summer and winter showcases, as well as international tours to Brazil and Spain.

Ben Fisher (Chapel Hill, N.C./Chapel Hill) hails from Chapel Hill High School, the same program that produced UNCW All-American Jamie Dell. Fisher was a 2013-14 NSCAA All-America selection as a junior at Chapel Hill and earned All-State honors twice. That same season he was named the Big Eight Conference Player-of-the-Year and News and Observer Triangle Area Player-of-the-Year. Prior to joining the Capital Area Railhawks Academy, Fisher played for Triangle United where he was named to the US Youth Soccer National Championships Best 11 Team. As a member of the Region III ODP International team, he played in Coasta Rica. Fisher is ranked 27th in the region by Top Drawer Soccer/IMG.

Matt Gianfortone (Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road) is another signee from the Capital Area Railhawks, and captained the U16 side along with fellow recruit Ryan Day. At Leesville Road, he was named All Cap 8 Conference. He’s played at the US Development Academy Winter Showcase on two occasions. Gianfortone is ranked 41st in the region by Top Drawer Soccer/IMG.

David Lozano (Gastonia, N.C./Ashbrook) is a product of the Carolina Rapids where he’s totaled 30 goals and 36 assists in two seasons with the club. Lozano was named USSDA Southeast Division All-America in 2013-14. He’s participated in the USSDA Winter and Summer Showcases on three occasions, as well as leading his team to the 2014 South Atlantic Division title and top seed in the 2014 USSDA Academy Playoffs. Lozano is the highest ranked recruit in the class, ranking 115 nationally and sixth regionally in Top Drawer Soccer/IMG top 150 rankings. David is already enrolled at UNCW for the spring semester.

Shane Mecham (Blacksburg, Va./Blacksburg) is the brother of current UNCW defender Michael Mecham. Shane was an All-State selection as a junior and was the Conference 32 Player-of-the-Year. That same season, the Roanoke Times named him to their All-Timesland First-team. Blacksburg has advanced to the VHSL State semifinal each season. At the club/ODP level, Mecham is a seasoned veteran having played internationally in South Africa, Italy, Norway, and Sweden with the ‘96 Roanoke Star and US Soccer Region I Team.

Julio Moncada (Puerto Cortes, Honduras/Champlain College) is a former member of the Honduran U17 National Soccer Team and attending prep school in Saint Lambert, Quebec. Moncada was named Champlain Male Athlete-of-the-Year, Men’s soccer most valuable player and was nominated for the CCAA Best Soccer Player in Canada. While with the Honduran national team, Moncada competed in the U17 FIFA World Cup – CONCACAF regional qualifiers.

Matt Morgan (Johns Creek, Ga./Chattahoochee) is a defender from the Georgia United Development Academy, where he served as captain of the U16s, and now serves as captain of the U18s. He’s participated in the National ID Training Center on three occasions and played on the ODP Region III squad that toured Mexico twice. At the prep level, Morgan earned All-Region honors twice at Chattahoochee. Morgan is ranked 25th in the region by Top Drawer/IMG.

Huntly Munn (Durham, N.C./Jordan) earned All-Conference honors twice while playing at Jordan. As a member of TUSA Gold, he helped the team to a pair of CASL showcase titles and traveled to Spain to play teams in Real Sociedad. For his senior year, Munn joined the Capital Area Railhawks and has participated in the USSDA Winter Showcase as well as the CASL showcase. Munn is ranked 35th in the region by Top Drawer Soccer/IMG.

NAME    POS.    HT.     WT.     HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL    CLUB PROGRAM
Ryan Day        D       5-9     140     Raleigh, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons  Capital Area Railhawks
Ben Fisher      MF      5-8     150     Chapel Hill, N.C./Chapel Hill   Capital Area Railhawks
Matt Gianfortone        MF      5-10    145     Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road    Capital Area Railhawks
David Lozano    MF      5-11    150     Gastonia, N.C./Ashbrook Carolina Rapids
Shane Mecham    MF      5-8     140     Blacksburg, Va./Blacksburg      Roanoke Star SC
Julio Moncada   MF      5-9     165     Puerto Cortes, Honduras/Champlain College       Honduras U17 NST
Matt Morgan     D       6-0     165     Johns Creek, Ga./Chattahoochee  Georgia United
Huntley Munn    D       5-10    140     Durham, N.C./Jordan     Capital Area Railhawks