NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Iona College men's soccer head coach
James Hamilton announced the addition of four student-athletes to the program for the upcoming 2020 season. Camil Azzam Ruiz, Riley Belknap, Azal Dottin and Elird Mero will all don the Maroon & Gold, joining Julian Cabanillas and Federico Russo,
who signed in March.
CAMIL AZZAM RUIZ
"Camil is a skillful and creative attacking player with the ability to drop off the front line and make things happen," Hamilton stated. "He's shown the ability to do very good things at the NAIA level and I have no doubt he'll transition smoothly into our environment."
Ruiz is a transfer from Cardinal Stritch University, a NAIA program in Wisconsin. In his lone season with the Wolves, Azzam Ruiz played in 18 matches and started all but one, registering a team-high 40 points.
His 16 goals and 8 assists were both tops on the team and helped earn him a spot on the All-Conference first team, as well as Freshman of the Year honors. Azzam Ruiz also helped his squad to a third straight Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship, scoring the first goal in a 3-0 victory for the Wolves.
RILEY BELKNAP
"Riley was one of our camp attendees that impressed immediately. He is a technical and confident player who's adaptable enough to play a couple of different roles," Hamilton said. "He's done very well at the high school and club level and deserves his opportunity."
Belknap comes to Iona from Charles W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, New York, where he and his squad won back-to-back Class AA sectional championships and appeared in the New York State Final Four in 2018. Belknap also played club soccer with Syracuse Development Academy.
In 2019, Belknap was a part of the first-ever undefeated season in Baldwinsville boy's soccer history. The Bees finished the season 18-0-1 and defeated Liverpool to advance to the New York State playoffs. Offensively, Belknap registered eight points (one goal, six assists) in his senior season, earning First Team All-League honors.
AZAL DOTTIN
"Azal checks a lot of boxes when looking for a modern goalkeeper," Hamilton noted. "He is a big-time shot-stopper who's incredibly athletic, but also confident and clean with the ball at his feet. A humble and hard-working boy destined for success."
Dottin also hails from New York, having most recently played at Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational and with Metropolitan Oval Academy. Dottin was a three-time Public School Athletics League champion, a three-time New York Cup champion, a two-time NPL champion and a NYSL champion once.
ELIRD MERO
"Elird fits the mold of exactly what we like in a fullback," Hamilton said. "He has a great engine to get up and down and an ability to defend in one-on-one moments. He has experience at a very good level and we're excited to see what he bring to Iona."
Mero joins Gael Nation after spending time with the Albanian National Team as well as his club team, ARIS FC. He was an All-Honor selection for three consecutive years, 2015-18.
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