FULTON, Miss. - The ICC men's soccer team is scheduled to open its season on Thursday, Aug. 19, with a home match against Blue Mountain College. With 12 players returning from last year's squad and key incoming freshmen, the Indians will look to make another push toward the playoffs.
Two-time All-State midfielder Carson O'Daniel (Tupelo), All-State and All-Region defender David Marquez (Madrid, Spain) along with striker Jose Villanueva (Maylene, Ala.), midfielders Dylan Sevilla (Tupelo), Wes Rollins (Columbus) and Cameron West (Glasgow, Scotland) and defender Connor Murphy (Olive Branch) are starters returning from last season. Defenders Reed Emison (Pontotoc), Braulio Cuellar (New Albany), midfielder Diego Valenzuela (Olive Branch) along with keepers Corbin Martin (Amory) and Eric Velazquez (Tupelo) are sophomores who could make an impact this season.
Defenders Brayden Bowden (Olive Branch), Brian Romero (New Albany) and Jhasiel Bautista (Ripley); midfielders JB Purvis (Byhalia), Sammy Gallardo (Saltillo), Samuel Franco (Ecru) and Billy Gipp (London, England); striker Anthony Jones (Oxford); and keeper Nate Drewry (Corinth) will add to the Indians' stellar lineup as freshmen.
The Indians will face three teams ranked in the NJCAA DII Preseason Poll. The second game of the season will be at No. 6 Jones on Aug. 27. Subsequent games include hosting No. 8 Gulf Coast on Sept. 3 and No. 13 Pearl River on Oct. 1.
Click here for the complete 2021 schedule.
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