Feb. 3, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida men's soccer program signed the first two players of its 2006 signing class, UNF head coach Ray Bunch announced on Friday.

Jordan Allerding and Chris Merritt will join the Ospreys for the 2006 season. Both Allerding and Merritt played high school soccer at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville.

"Both Jordan and Chris are outstanding players that have been a part of a very good high school program," Bunch said. "I really believe they can come in and help us right away. We're very excited that they have decided to join our program."

Merritt, who tallied 14 goals and 10 assists as a senior at Mandarin, was recently named Florida Athletics Coaches Association (FACA) District 6 Player of the Year, while also earning first-team All-Gateway Conference honors.

Allerding, who tallied 10 goals and nine assists for the Mustangs, was also a first-team All-Gateway Conference selection as a senior.

"Both Chris and Jordan are great kids," Mandarin High School head coach Jason Lee said. "They are both very talented and willing to work hard in order to improve their games. I'm really happy for them that coach Bunch has given them the opportunity to play at the next level. I'm eager to see how they will make the adjustment."

In its first season on the Division I level, UNF posted a 3-10-1 mark, including a 3-5-0 mark in Atlantic Sun Conference play and finished in seventh place in the nine-team league.