Merola, Pacheco listed as SSAC players to watch

On the eve of their season opener, a pair of Xavier men's footballers were identified as players to watch in the Southern States Athletic Conference.

Diego Pacheco and Antonio Merola were joined by players from the SSAC's other 11 men's soccer programs.

Pacheco, a junior defender from Salvador, Brazil, was a second-team all-conference selection last season, when the Gold Rush were competing in the Red River Athletic Conference. He was also a key contributor in the RRAC championships, eventually earning all-tournament honors on the heels of XULA's title win.

Merola, a junior midfielder from Liege, Belgium, was the MVP of the 2025 RRAC tournament and also earned second-team All-RRAC honors.

The Xavier men begin regular-season play Thursday at 10 a.m. with a home match against St. Thomas (Fla.) at Metairie's Lafreniere Park.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Diego Pacheco: Defender; 5' 9"; Sophomore; 1L

#21 Antonio Merola: Midfielder; 6' 1"; Sophomore; JC

Players Mentioned

#5 Diego Pacheco
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 1L
: Defender

#21 Antonio Merola
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; JC
: Midfielder

Players Mentioned

#5 Diego Pacheco

#21 Antonio Merola

Players Mentioned

#5 Diego Pacheco

#21 Antonio Merola