The quintet will join fellow newcomer, Scooter Oliver, who signed with CU in January, in the 2011 recruiting class.
“I am extremely pleased to announce these new additions to the Campbell Soccer family,” said Armas, who is entering his second year in charge of the Fighting Camels. “This is a diverse group of young men that are not only well-established soccer players, but also great individuals. Each signee embodies all of the core values that we look for in our players and will contribute to our program and the Campbell community. They come from great families and possess a passionate love for the game. Our success will be dependant upon how quickly these players become integrated into our program."
A native of Austin, Texas, Elder played the 2009 season at Appalachian State University, where he appeared in 16 matches and made 10 starts as a defender. He ranked 2nd on the team in scoring as a freshman with 5 goals – including 3 game winners – and 2 assists. His first career goal came in a 1-1 draw against West Virginia. He provided the deciding scores in wins over Davidson, UNC Greensboro and UNC Asheville.
Elder is a product of the same club program, the Lonestar Aztex USSF Academy, which sent rising sophomores Justin Franz and Travis Golden to Campbell in 2010. He also played for the South Texas ODP team and was a four-year letter winner at William B. Travis High School.
As a high school senior, Elder was named first-team all-district, all-county and all-region. He also lettered three years in basketball.
“Our staff is excited to have J.J. join our program,” said Armas. “He brings with him a year of college experience and proven goal scoring ability as a defender. He is a natural left-sided versatile player and we look forward to his contributions in several spots for this team.”
Francis comes to Campbell from Kingston, Jamaica and the Real Mona Football Club that also produced Khalil Johnson, who earned Atlantic Sun all-conference honors as a junior and senior in 2009 and 2010. He was a member of the Jamaica U-15 and U-17 national teams in 2007 and 2008.
He led the St. George’s College team to Manning Cup championships in 2009 and 2010 and also to the 2009 Oliver shield title. Francis also captained the Ardenne High School and Real Mona FC teams.
In addition to his soccer accomplishments, Francis competed in the Penn Relays with the Ardenne track & field team and won silver and bronze medals in the 100 (11.25) and 200 meters (23.32) in the Class 3 Track & Field Championships.
“Jhuvon has the ability to get in behind and stretch defenses with his natural pace,” said Armas. “He will add a different dynamic to our attack.”
An attacking midfielder, Gáez enrolled at Campbell in January and is participating in the team’s spring training sessions. He is a product of Tauro FC in his native Panama. In addition, he played for the Plaza Amadour (2008) and Sporting 89 (2006-07) club teams.
“Ricki joined us in January and has benefitted from having the opportunity to train and play this spring,” said Armas. “His technical ability and creativity will provide us with another attacking option in the midfield.”
A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Gonzalez joins the Camels as a midfielder from South Kent (Conn.) School, where he helped his team win the 2010 New England Class B Prep School championship. He was also nominated to play in the New England All-Star Game.
Gonzalez also helped lead the ITESM Monterrey to national high school tournament in both 2008 and 2009.
“César is a player that will add composure and decision-making to an already competitive midfield,” said Armas. “He has the ability to create space for himself and his teammates and is a clever passer of the ball. We look forward to César joining the 2011 team.”
Moore joins the Camels from Ocoee (Fla.) High School, where he was coached by his father, Peter, and the Florida Rush Nike club, whose coach is former Stetson head coach Sean Murphy. Moore also played with the Florida State ODP team.
A forward and attacking midfielder, Moore earned 1st-team all-state honors as a senior and all-Central Florida recognition four times during his high school career. He set school career records for goals (91), assists (41) and hat tricks (12) at Ocoee High School, where he 32 goals in 2011 also established a school single-season mark.
Peter Moore was a four-year starter in goal for the Camels (1986-89) and still holds school career records for saves (406) and shutouts (24).
“Patrick is a technical player that can provide dangerous service from the width, whether creating these moments off the dribble or working to get behind,” said Armas. “We will look for him to contribute in the midfield.”
Elder, Francis, Gáez, Gonzalez, Moore and Oliver join a Fighting Camel program that has produced a 64-44-11 overall record (.584) and 36-10-5 league mark (.755) and won four conference trophies since the 2005 campaign. Campbell will return to competition in the Big South Conference in the fall of 2011.
2011 Campbell University Men’s Soccer Recruits
J.J. Elder / Defender-Midfielder / Sophomore / Austin, Texas / Appalachian State / Travis HS / Lonestar Aztex USSF Academy
Transfer from Appalachian State, where he appeared in 16 matches and made 10 starts as a defender in 2009. Ranked 2nd on the team in scoring as a freshman with 5 goals – including 3 game winners – and 2 assists... First career goal came in a 1-1 draw against West Virginia… Provided deciding scores in wins over Davidson, UNC Greensboro and UNC Asheville… Product of same club program (the Lonestar Aztex USSF Academy) which sent rising sophomores Justin Franz and Travis Golden to Campbell in 2010... Also played for the South Texas ODP team and was a four-year letter winner at William B. Travis High School... As a senior, named first-team all-district, all-county and all-region… He also lettered three years in basketball…
Jhuvon Francis / Forward / Freshman / Kingston, Jamaica / St. George’s / Real Mona FC
Came to Campbell from Real Mona FC which also produced Khalil Johnson, who earned Atlantic Sun all-conference honors as a junior and senior in 2009 and 2010... Member of the Jamaica U-15 and U-17 national teams in 2007 and 2008… Led the St. George’s College team to Manning Cup championships in 2009 and 2010 and to 2009 Oliver shield title... Captained the Ardenne High School and Real Mona FC teams… Competed in the Penn Relays with the Ardenne track & field team and won silver and bronze medals in the 100 (11.25) and 200 meters (23.32) in the Class 3 Track & Field Championships…
Ricaurte “Ricki” Gáez / Midfielder / Freshman / Panama City, Panama / St. George International / Tauro FC
Joins team from Tauro FC in his native Panama… Also played for Plaza Amador and Sporting 89 club teams… Enrolled at Campbell for spring 2011 semester…
César Gonzalez / Midfielder / Freshman / Monterrey, Mexico / South Kent (Conn.) School / REDH
Joined CU as a midfielder from South Kent (Conn.) School, where he helped his team win the 2010 New England Class B Prep School championship… Nominated to play in the New England All-Star Game… Also helped lead the ITESM Monterrey to national high school tournament in both 2008 and 2009…
Patrick Moore / Midfielder-Forward / Freshman / Winter Garden, Fla. / Ocoee HS / Florida Rush Nike
Coached by his father, Peter, at Winter Garden HS… Also played for Florida Rush Nike club and Florida State ODP team… Earned 1st-team all-state honors twice and all-Central Florida recognition four times during his high school career… Set school career records for goals (91), assists (41) and hat tricks (12)… His 32 goals in 2011 also established a school single-season mark… Also named All-Orange Count and All-Metro Orlando… His father, Peter Moore, was a four-year starter in goal for the Camels (1986-89) and still holds school career records for saves (406) and shutouts (24).
Scooter Oliver / Midfielder / Freshman / Cary, N.C. / Panther Creek HS / CASL Chelsea USSF Academy
Two-year captain of the USSF Developmental Academy CASL Chelsea team, where he was coached by former Campbell standout Rusty Scarborough… Helped CASL Chelsea reach 2010 USSF Developmental Academy national finals… Played with the Region III Olympic Development Program (ODP) Region team in 2008 and the Super Y National Select Team… Four-year starter at Panther Creek High School, where he set school record with 21 goals scored during his senior season... Served as team captain for three years and helped lead his team to a Tri-9 4-A conference championship… Sixth player from the CASL Chelsea USSF Academy club team to sign with Campbell in the last three years…
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