HAMILTON, N.Y. (02/18/10) - John W. Beyer Head Men’s Soccer Coach Erik Ronning has announced the 2010 recruiting class for the Colgate University Men’s Soccer Team. A trio of midfielders, two defenders, and two forwards make up an extremely well balanced class who hail from five different states. Joining the Raiders are Nick Arpey (Iowa City, Iowa/West), James Byer (Farmington, Conn./Farmington), Scott Brown (Wilton, Conn./Wilton), Chris Locandro (Kennesaw, Ga./The Walker School), Andrew Mercier (South Burlington, Vt./South Burlington); Barrett Metzger (Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier), and Jack Randazzo (Avon, Conn./Loomis Chaffee). All will begin their collegiate careers at Colgate in the fall of 2010.
Nick Arpey 5’10” Midfielder, West HS, Iowa City, Iowa (Eastern Iowa United SC)
- USYSA Region 2 ODP Team, 2007-2009
- 2009 USYSA Regional Semi-Finalists with Eastern Iowa United SC
- 2009 High School State Champions at West High School
Ronning on Arpey: “The first time I saw Nick play, one word came to mind…winner. He is a very composed, intelligent, and technical player, who has the ability to dictate the tempo of a game, and get stuck in defensively. I expect Nick to vie for playing time as a first year player”
Scott Brown 5’11” Forward, Wilton HS, Wilton, Conn. (Beachside SC)
- 2008 Connecticut All-State 1st Team
- 2009 USYSA Regional Semi-Finalists with Beachside SC
- Missed 2009 High School Season due to injury
Ronning on Brown: “Scott possesses great speed, a tremendous work ethic, owns a lethal left foot, and is great finisher. He is relentless on both sides of the ball, and will compliment our forwards very nicely. I do expect Scott will make an immediate impact this fall.”
James Byer 6’1” Midfield/Forward, Farmington HS, Farmington, Conn. (Beachside SC)
- 2009 Connecticut All-State 1st Team
- 2009 NSCAA All-New England
- USYSA Region 1 ODP Team 2008-2009
- 2008 High School State Champions at Farmington High School.
Ronning on Beyer: “James is a tremendous athlete, has a great worth ethic, and is extremely versatile. He will fit in very nicely here at Colgate, and feel he will be able to contribute at a number of different positions over the course of his collegiate playing career. ”
Chris Locandro 6’1” Defender, The Walker School, Kennesaw, Ga. (Cobb FC Soccer Club)
- USYSA Region 3 ODP Team, 2006-2008
- Former U-17 US National Team Pool Player
- Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Recruit
- Competes in Cross Country and Track at the Walker School
Ronning on Locandro: “Chris is a great defensive player. He possesses great size, strength, and athleticism, in addition to an unmatched drive to succeed. He has a tremendous presence in competition, and expect big things from Chris over his four year career as a Raider.”
Andrew Mercier 5’10” Midfielder, South Burlington HS, South Burlington, Vt. (Far Post SC)
- 2009 All-State 1st Team
- 2009 NSCAA All-New England
- 2009 NSCAA All-American
- USYSA Region 1 ODP Team, 2007-2009
Ronning on Mercier: “Andrew is gifted from a technical standpoint, competes extremely hard, and is a soccer junkie. He loves the game, he loves Colgate, and will do whatever it takes to help this program succeed. I am very excited about working with Andrew.
Barrett Metzger 6’ Defender, St. Xavier HS, Louisville, Ky. (Javanon SC)
- 2009 Kentucky All-State
- Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year, 2009
- 2008, 2009 High School State Champions at St. Xavier
Ronning on Metzger: “What stands out to me about Barrett is how much he has improved over the course of the past 12 months. He has tremendous athleticism, is very good on the ball, and competes as hard as anyone. I am very excited about Barrett, and what he will bring to Colgate Soccer over four years.”
Jack Randazzo 5’10” Midfielder, Loomis Chaffee, Avon, Conn. (Oakwood Academy)
- 2009 Connecticut All-State 1st Team
- Oakwood Academy u-18, 2008-2010
Ronning on Randazzo: “Jack has good speed, great technical speed, and can accelerate with the ball better than most players his age. He has tremendous range, and knows the game very well. Not only will Jack add depth to our midfield, he will compete for playing time.”
Colgate University Raiders 2010 Recruiting Class
Name Position Height Hometown Club
Nick Arpey MF 5’10” Iowa City, Iowa Eastern Iowa United
James Beyer FWD/MF 6’1” Farmington, Conn. Beachside SC
Scott Brown FWD 6’0 Wilton, Conn. Beachside SC
Chris Locandro DEF 6’1” Kennesaw, Ga. Cobb FC
Andrew Mercier MF 5’10” South Burlington, Vt. Far Post SC
Barrett Metzger DEF 6’ Louisville, Ky, Javanon
Jack Randazzo MF 5’10” Avon, Conn. Oakwood Academy