Men's Soccer Preview: Experience to play key role in Indians' success in 2016
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com
FULTON, MS – The men's soccer team returns with a great mix of returning sophomores and talented incoming freshmen that Coach Mike Sullivan hopes will propel the Indians into the chase for the 2016 MACJC championship.
"I couldn't be more excited about what possibilities lie ahead for our guys this season," said Sullivan. "We were very strong defensively, but we couldn't find the back of the net in enough crucial situations. I expect the experience we gained from last season and the spring to give us a shot in the arm offensively."
The Indians return 11 players from last year's team that narrowly missed out on the playoffs after allowing 1.4 goals per game and accumulating five shutouts along the way.
Defensively, the Indians return almost everyone from the backline.
All-State selection Bryce Hunt (Tupelo), D'Antae Bush (Starkville), Sam Dexter (Tupelo) and David Medina (Tupelo) return to anchor a talented backline with freshmen Andrew Ford (Saltillo), John Gonzalez (Pontotoc), Michael Sullivan (Starkville), Trent Pace (Amory) and Ceaser Perez (New Albany) competing for significant minutes this season.
"I have no doubt this group of guys will keep us amongst the state leaders in defensive statistic," said Sullivan. "Our experience across the backline will help our new guys have time to adjust to the collegiate level of play and that will be key when we enter division play midway through the season."
The midfield will see a solid mixture of returning players and incoming freshmen.
Zach Ellis (Tupelo) will look to lead fellow sophomores Josh Bartlett (Chelsea, AL) Cameron O'Daniel (Tupelo), Boston Hampton (Tupelo) and Bennett Mills (Corinth) and highly-decorated freshmen Logan Little (Tupelo), Trey Clark (Amory), Colby Bogle (Tupelo), Christian Rojas (New Albany) and Chase Huddleston (Tupelo).
"This group will rival some of the group of midfielders we have in the past and we are looking for them to control every match we play this season," commented Sullivan. "The incoming class brings a wealth of experience at a high level of play that will help make them immediate impact players."
Up top, the Indians will look for sophomores Michael Kiser (Olive Branch) and freshman Luis Garcia (Olive Branch) along with midfielders that Sullivan expects to call on at various times throughout the season.
"Kiser won the starting job late last season," said Sullivan. "He is a workhorse that can score goals. Garcia has a nose for the goal and will be a great addition to our offense this season. I really like our chances to score goals this upcoming season."
Thomas Blake (Fulton) returns as the lone goalkeeper from last season with Brandon White (Tupelo) and Stefan Massie (Ripley) battling for minutes in net this season.
"Blake played over a third of all the minutes last year and will be battle tested heading into the season," Sullivan said. "White will compete right away for quality minutes in net coming from a very solid career with the Golden Wave."
This year's squad will enter the season with high expectations.
"With the experience we gain from last season and the spring season, I feel like our sophomores found their identity on the offensive side of the ball," said Sullivan. "I have a good feeling about the season and our chances of making a run at the title."
The Indians open their 2016 season at Delta State University on Saturday, August 20 and travel to South Division powers Pearl River Community College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before hosting Copiah-Lincoln Community College on Tuesday, August 30 for the season's home opener.
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