Alejandro Barboza

5-9 / 174

Katy, Texas / Cypress Ranch HS

Dynamos Select 97/98 Gold

Midfielder/Forward

Barboza played forward for head coach Michael Garcia at Cypress Ranch High School. Highlights of his playing career for the Mustangs include Second Team All-District selections in both 2015 and 2016. Barboza also grabbed Academic All-State accolades in both 2015 and 2016. At the club level, he played for the Dynamos Select 97/98 Gold.

Born in Bellflower, California, Barboza is the son of Jessica Garcia-Barboza and Antonio Barboza. He has two siblings, sister Jacquelin and brother, Ismael. At Centenary, he intends to major in biology.

Coach Rutkowski on Barboza: Coach Symczak and I have been watching Alejandro for more than a year, and we think he is one of the top outside midfielders in the Houston area. He possesses good technical ability with both feet and has the athleticism to acclimate to the college game immediately.

Nic Douthit

5-9 / 155

Wylie, Texas / Wylie HS

FCUSA

Midfielder

Douthit played as a center-midfielder for head coach Scot Dillon at Wylie High School. Honors for Douthit while with the Pirates include capturing Second Team All-District honors. He also participated for FCUSA. Honors off the pitch include being named to the Honor Roll and was named Academic All-District.

Born in Plano, Texas, Douthit is the son of Dane and Michele Douthit and has three brothers; Aaron, Tanner and Jared. At Centenary, he intends to major in business finance.

Coach Rutkowski on Douthit: Nic played in Dallas Classic League, which is one of the highest levels in North Texas. He is a scrappy, hard-working midfielder that is hungry to play any position on the field. Nic will compete, most likely, in our center midfield position as we really value his work rate, ability to win 50/50s, and he is extremely coachable.

Hardy Hall

6-0 / 150

Shreveport, La. / Captain Shreve

East Texas Premier

Defender

Hall played as an attacking midfielder for head coach Stephen Slack at Captain Shreve High School. He received numerous honors in his career with the Gators, including All-City MVP, District MVP, First Team All-State, and named to both the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) All-Star Game and Best of Preps Male Player of the Year. Hall and the rest of his teammates claimed three District Titles. Academically, he was a Mike Mark Award recipient and Academic All-State. He also is a member of the East Texas Premier Club Team.

Hall was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Todd and Cherri Hall. While at Centenary, he intends to major in biology.

Coach Rutkowski on Hall: We have been recruiting Hardy heavily since I took over at Centenary. He, Christian, and Gabe all played on a high level club team, East Texas Premier with Coach Claude. He has proven to be one of the best all-around players in Louisiana and we are excited to have him at Centenary. He is a tenacious defender that is a tough and physical player. I think he will improve even more while he is at Centenary, as he is constantly looking to get better by working out and playing the game day in day out.

Scott Halper

6-0 / 180

Franklin Lakes, N.J. / Indian Hills HS

New Jersey Stallions Academy 97-98

Forward

Halper played as a forward and a center midfielder for head coach Michael Calderon at Indian Hills High School. Soccer highlights include helping the Braves capture the Bergen Cup and finish as a State Sectional Finalist. Individually, Halper was named Second Team All-League as a junior. Halper played soccer with the Braves for three years, and was also a member of International Studies and Business University Program. He was also a member of the New Jersey Stallions Academy 97-98 club team.

Born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Halper is the son of Steve and Pamela Halper. He has one sister, Elizabeth. While at Centenary, he intends to major in business administration.

Coach Rutkowski on Halper: I saw Scott play at the North Carolina Camp last summer and was really impressed with his leadership, ability to play simple, and his willingness to compete at a high level. Scott will compete at the attacking midfield and forward positions. He is a strong target in the attack and he will be a great fit in the system we play.

Christian Lindsey

6-2 / 175

Shreveport, La. / Captain Shreve HS

East Texas Premier

Defender

Christian played centerback for head coach Stephen Slack at Captain Shreve High School. Individual achievements with the Gators include being named Second Team All-District in 2015 and All-City, All-District Defensive MVP and Second Team All-State 2016.

Lindsey's academic accomplishments at Captain Shreve include being named a Distinguished Scholar the Good Citizen award in 2015 and 2016. He was also the Captain Shreve, District and Louisiana winner for the PTSA Reflections for Photography. Lindsey also attended Louisiana Boys State in 2015, was a member of the Rho Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, was a Student Council Senator in 2015, was named an Outstanding Teen-Red River Chapter and Second Place, Outstanding Teen for the South Central Region of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in 2013.

Christian is the son of Dwight and LeShonda Lindsey. At Centenary, he intends to major in business administration.

Coach Rutkowski on Lindsey: We have watched Christian play for the last two years and was one of our first commitments in this class. Coach Claude has done an excellent job developing Christian with East Texas Premier. He possesses good physical size and strength at the centerback position. He has attended camp at Centenary and is very coachable with a good work ethic. He will compete on our backline this Fall and I think once he is officially on campus, he will improve immensely by playing every day and getting bigger and stronger.

Jeff Mallernee

6-0 / 157

Keller, Texas / Byron Nelson HS

Saints Athletic Soccer Association

Midfielder

Mallernee played as a center-midfielder and as both a right and left back for head coaches Howard Putter and Jerome Koehler at Byron Nelson High School. Playing all four years, he helped the Bobcats capture the 2014 4A State Championship. Individually, he earned All-District accolades both his junior and senior seasons, being named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. He won MVP honors his sophomore season while being named Utility Player of the Year his freshman season on the JV squad. Mallernee also played soccer for the Saints Athletic Soccer Association club team. Academically, he was named All-State in both 2015 and 2016.

Born in Bellevue, Ohio, Mallernee is the son of Scott and Paula Mallernee and has a sister, Emily. At Centenary, he intends to major in education.

Coach Rutkowski on Mallernee: Jeff comes from the top league in Arlington and brings us versatility in where he can play on the field. He has a very good sense for the game and is very coachable on the field. He will compete throughout the midfield or up top and is the definition of a team player. He has a great attitude, and I believe he could really develop and continue to get better each year he is here.

Lamarr Meza

6-4 / 230

Crandall, Texas / Crandall HS

Real Madrid 98 & Andromeda USSF Academy

Goalkeeper

Meza played goalie for head coach Ryan Melancon at Crandall High School for just one season. He joined the Pirates midway through the district schedule, helping the team finish with a four-game winning streak after beginning the season 2-2. Meza and the Crandall soccer team won 7-straight overall, qualified for the Regional Tournament and captured an Area Championship his senior season. Meza also played for the Real Madrid 98 & Andromeda USSF Academy soccer club teams.

Academically, he was named All-District and earned All-State Honorable Mention Recognition.

Besides his time on the pitch, Meza also played basketball for head coach Stan Short at Crandall High School.

Born in Dallas Texas, he is the son of Amalia and Manuel Meza and has three siblings: sisters Emma and Karisma and brother Tristin. At Centenary, he is undecided on an academic major.

Coach Rutkowski on Meza: Lamarr is the first goalkeeper we have signed at Centenary in my first two years. He has played at the academy level with Andromeda and played in the Dallas Classic League 1 this past year. He will immediately challenge our current goalkeepers, and I think he has immense potential. Lamarr has excellent athleticism for his size and great technique in goal.

Gabe Rodriguez

5-10 / 180

Bossier City, La. / Airline HS

East Texas Premier

Midfielder

Rodriguez participated in golf and was a midfielder in soccer for Airline High School in Bossier City. With the Vikings, he grabbed All-District honors all four years, garnered First Team All-City his final three seasons and Second Team All-State his senior year. He also played for the East Texas Premier soccer club.

Academically, Rodriguez was honored for his 3.5-4.0 GPA his freshman and sophomore years and a 3.0-3.5 GPA his junior and senior years at Airline HS.

Born in Ramstein, Germany, Rodriguez is the son of Sammy and Janie Rodriguez. At Centenary, he intends to major in biology.

Coach Rutkowski on Rodriguez: Gabe has played club at a very high level with ETP and has been one of the top players in Louisiana. He plays with a high work ethic and motor and will compete right away in the midfield at a few different positions. I really like how he controls games with his touch and has a very competitive attitude and drive. He is a high level athlete, as he was one of the top football kickers in and golfer in Louisiana. I am excited that he will be playing soccer and golf at Centenary next year.