ELON, N.C. -- Elon University men's soccer coach Darren Powell has announced the signings of four players to National Letters of Intent in his first recruiting class at the helm of the Phoenix program which includes three-time NSCAA/Adidas All-American and Ohio State Player of the Year KiKi Willis (Youngstown, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney HS). Also joining the Elon squad next season will be: Casey Haer (Norcross, Ga./Norcross HS), Will Mason (Russell, Ohio/University School) and Reginald McLeod (Greensboro, N.C./Ragsdale). Also joining the squad for 2005 will be Aaron Parker (Buckner, Ky./Trinity HS).
Willis, a 5-10 forward/midfielder, finished his prep career with 176 career goals, the most in Ohio history, and 55 career assists. An All-Ohio First Team selection for four seasons, Willis has also collected NSCAA/Adidas All-American accolades three times, was a Parade All-American, NCSAA/Adidas State Player of the Year in 2004 and Mr. Soccer Ohio 2004. An E.A. Sports All-American in 2004, Willis was named the All-Steel Valley Player of the Year four times, First Team All-Mahoning County four times, District Player of the Year four times and Division II Player of the Year twice. Willis helped lead Cardinal Mooney to the 2002 Division II Ohio State Championship and a runner-up finish in the state in 2004. His prep team was nationally ranked for two years. KiKi is the son of Kenneth and Shirley Willis and was a member of George Nanchoff's Cleveland Internationals club team.
Haer, a 5-10 defender, was the 2002 Defensive MVP for the Concorde Fire club team as well as a member of the 2003 Super-Y League Region III ODP team. The leading scorer on his Norcross High team in both his sophomore and junior years, Haer helped lead his team to state titles in 2000 and 2003 and runner-up finishes in both 2002 and 2004. In both 2001 and 2002 Haer helped his Super-Y team to South Atlantic titles and Region III East Premier League crowns. Casey played for Greg Blasingame's Concorde Fire club team and is the son of Robert and Christine Haer.
Mason, a 6-0 midfielder, has been a member of the Y-League ODP Regional Team as well as the ODP Ohio North State Team. Mason has been the captain of the Cleveland Force Juniors club team as well as his University School team. His Ohio North ODP team won the 2004 state title. Will is the son of Rex and Heath Mason and played for Kia Zolgharnain's Cleveland Force Juniors club team.
McLeod, a 5-11 midfielder, was a three-time All-Tri County and all-region selection and claimed both all-state and all-area accolades following his senior campaign. McLeod claimed team MVP honors at Ragsdale following his senior season and earned Kenny Potts Tournament MVP distinction in 2005. A member of Carl Fleming's 86' Greensboro Soccer Club Green team, McLeod helped the squad to two Region III Premier League titles (2003-04) and a 2002 Tampa Bay Sun Bowl crown. Reginald is the son of James and Myra Thompson.
Parker, a 6-2 forward, led his team in scoring in both his sophomore and junior years, claiming team MVP accolades his junior season. Parker helped his club team to four state titles in five years (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004) as well as a Region 2 championship in 2003. As a member of Gregory Moss-Brown's Javanon 87 club team, Parker also helped the team to three Midwest Division crowns (2002-2004). Aaron is the son of Tony and Mattre Parker.
Elon University is an NCAA Division I member of the Southern Conference. Soccer playing institutions include: Appalachian State, College of Charleston, Davidson, Furman, Georgia Southern, UNC Greensboro and Wofford.
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