Author: Philip Seaton

Golden Goal sinks No. 13 John Brown

John Brown’s Anne Metz. Photo by John Brown University Sports Information
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August 31, 2019

By JOHN BROWN SPORTS INFORMATION

SILOAM SPRINGS – Rayssa Souza’s overtime goal, her second on the match, broke a 1-1 draw for Oklahoma Wesleyan and turned a promising match in which the Golden Eagles carried momentum through full time into the No. 13 John Brown University women’s soccer team’s first loss of the season on Saturday (Aug. 31) afternoon at Alumni Field.

In the final match of the annual John Brown University Classic, a tale of two halves unfolded as the sides each dominated a frame apiece. The visiting Eagles (1-1-0), stinging from a 4-0 setback to No. 19 Science & Arts (Okla.) on Thursday, came out a much more confident side as OKWU peppered the John Brown goal with eight shot attempts before the intermission.

Wesleyan nearly struck in the fourth minute when a dreadful deflection inside the JBU box rolled to the visitors’ leading scorer from a year ago, Marjolen Nekesa. Nekesa all alone, fired a shot to the bottom left post, but junior Caitlyn Logan answered the question with a brilliant diving save to keep the match scoreless.

After another Logan save, and an Anne Metz header attempt off a corner, which turned out to be a sign of things to come, Wesleyan took a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute when Daniela Ortiz’s feed from the right wing to a wide open Souza for a one-touch to the back of the goal.

Both teams attempted one more shot apiece before the bathroom break where the Golden Eagles (2-1-0) regrouped for quite a different second half.

In the second frame, the hosts enjoyed a 10-4 advantage in the shooting column, and in the 55th minute, Metz leveled the match when her head redirected a Sienna Nealon corner kick from the left flag off Wesleyan keeper Aryza Olague’s hands, the crossbar, and finally over the goal line.

Metz, now with a goal in consecutive matches, and senior Kristen Howell now share the Golden Eagle scoring race with a pair of strikes each.

John Brown would continue to push the pace as sophomore Alair Love and junior Vanessa Reynoso would lead the effort three and two shot attempts, respectively. Olague had to make three saves as seven Golden Eagle offerings missed the frame or were blocked.

Just 3:15 into extra time, an unfortunate defensive clearing skipped right to OKWU’s Taylor Gross, who immediately fired a pass that split the JBU back line and sprung Souza in on Logan all alone. Souza ended the match with a shot to the bottom left corner in the 94th minute.

John Brown finished the match with a 15-13 shooting advantage, but Wesleyan owned an 8-6 margin in shots on target. Logan was dinged with her first loss of the season despite making a season-high six saves. OKWU’s first half tally broke the Blue and Gold’s shutout streak at 214:58.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles return to Alumni Field for its fourth consecutive home match on Saturday (Sept. 7) when it welcomes Columbia (Mo.) for the 7 p.m. match. John Brown dealt the Cougars a 1-0 loss last season in Columbia, Mo. on senior Jastin Redman’s second-half strike.

No. 13 John Brown starts 2-0

John Brown’s Megan Hutto (23). Photo by John Brown Sports Information
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August 29, 2019

By JOHN BROWN SPORTS INFORMATION

SILOAM SPRINGS – Senior Anne Metz’s return to the lineup has been a year in the works after redshirting in 2018, and against Concordia (Neb.), she completed her comeback by striking the game-winner midway through the first half as the No. 13 John Brown University women’s soccer team controlled its second consecutive home match to put away a 3-0 win at Alumni Field on Thursday (Aug. 29) evening.

Out-shooting the visitors by an 11-4 margin, the Golden Eagles (2-0-0) struck for a pair of first-half goals, followed by an unconventional goal just after the intermission as junior keeper Caitlyn Logan posted her second clean sheet of the season, recording a pair of saves in the win.

Concordia (0-2-0) entered the match on the heels of a 2-0 setback to Missouri Valley, and the Bulldog offense mustered just four shots, two on target as Logan made a save in each half.

Metz opened the scoring by finishing off a beautiful combination play in the 23rd minute. Transfer sophomore Megan Hutto started the play with a through ball to sophomore Alair Love down the right flank. Love’s cross into the box found Metz, who buried an eight-yard shot to the bottom left corner to build a 1-0 lead.

Fifteen minutes later, senior Kristen Howell became the first Golden Eagle with multiple goals on the season when she ripped a shot from the top of the box past Concordia keeper Lindsey Carley off the right post and in. Junior Anna Schuchardt stripped a Bulldog midfielder of possesion and the result slipped out to Howell for the strike, posting Schuchardt’s first collegiate point and Howell’s second tally of the season.

After scoring twice on five shots in the first half, the Golden Eagles put the third goal of the match on the board just over 90 seconds after haltime. Off another turnover, freshman Kylie Kilfoy’s blast from 25 yards deflected off a Concordia shoulder and up and over Carley to solidify Kilfoy’s first collegiate goal.

Limited to just two shots through the final 45 minutes of play, the John Brown defense held Concordia from gathering any momentum in an effort to mount a comeback.

Junior Sienna Nealon led all players with three shots, while junior Vanessa Reynoso and Kilfoy each added a pair in the victory. The Golden Eagles owned a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles return to Alumni Field to close out the annual John Brown University Classic at 3 p.m. against Oklahoma Wesleyan. OKWU fell in 4-0 fashion to No. 19 Science & Arts (Okla.) in the first matchup of the day. USAO will take on Concordia in Saturday’s first match at 1 p.m.

Reynoso, Logan selected as First SAC Players of the Week

Graphic/Photo by John Brown Sports Information

August 26, 2019

By JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SILOAM SPRINGS – Juniors Caitlyn Logan and Vanessa Reynoso were named the SAC Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the league office for their performance against LSU Shreveport this past weekend on Monday (Aug. 26).

The award is the fourth of Logan’s career while Reynoso picked up the honors for the first time as a Golden Eagle.

While the John Brown midfield and back line limited the Pilots (0-1-0) to just three shots, two on target, Logan’s acrobatic save in the early going to preserve the 0-0 stalemate that persisted into the intermission. The goalkeeper from Charlotte, N.C., was not called upon in the second half as JBU (1-0-0) maintained overwhelming control, out-shooting the visitors 14-1 en route to a two-goal outburst.

The clean sheet was the 14th of Logan’s career.

Reynoso, meanwhile, played a hand in each Golden Eagle tally in the second half. In the 67th minute, the midfielder’s through ball past the Shreveport back line sprung senior Kristen Howell into a one-on-one with the keeper. Howell sidestepped the keeper and struck from a tough angle to net the game-winner.

With just over five minutes remaining, Reynoso iced the contest by deflecting freshman Emma Schoenberg’scross from the left side up and over the Pilot keeper, netting her third career goal to cap off a three-point outing in the John Brown season opener.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles return to action on Thursday (Aug. 29) to take on Concordia (Neb.) at Alumni Field. First kick is slated for 7 p.m. and can be viewed live on JBUathletics.com.

No. 13 John Brown opens Season with Win

August 23, 2019

By JOHN BROWN SPORTS INFORMATION

SILOAM SPRINGS – The No. 13 John Brown University women’s soccer team opened the 2019 campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over LSU Shreveport behind a pair of second-half goals on Friday (Aug. 23) evening at Alumni Field.

JBU (1-0-0) has now won its last four season openers under head coach Kathleen Paulsen and picks up an early season victory against a team that received votes in the NAIA Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll.

Despite outshooting the visiting Pilots 13-2 in the first half, capped off by a point-blank opportunity by senior Kristen Howell that was gobbled up in the goal mouth by keeper Karolyn Hasler, the visitors were able to reach the intermission with a scoreless tie.

Finally, in the 67th minute, junior Vanessa Reynoso started her three-point outing by slipping a through ball past the Shreveport defense that sprung Howell through the back line. Howell reached the pass first and found herself one-on-one with Hasler, but was able to maneuver around the sprawling keeper and deposit her first of the season.

The tally would hold to be Howell’s fifth game-winner of her career.

Nearly 20 minutes later in the 85th minute, freshman Emma Schoenberg’s low cross from the left side into the box was flicked by Reynoso up and over Hasler – handing the Golden Eagles a much-needed insurance relief.

While the Pilots (0-1-0) had few opportunities, mainly off the foot of Chelsea Brown – who accounted for all of LSUS’s opportunities, junior Caitlyn Logan was up to the task. The visitors’ best opportunity came in the 8th minute when Brown snuck through the Golden Eagle back line on the right side and fired a cross-goal shot to the left side. Logan was tracking, however, as the keeper’s outstretched arm deflected the ball, and a potential difficult start, away from the goal line. She finished with two saves – both off the foot of Brown.

The match finished with a lopsided 27-3 shooting disparity in favor of the hosts. Howell finished with a career-high eight shot attempts while freshman Kiley Kilfoy, making a start in her collegiate debut, added four of her own, two of which were on target.

Four Golden Eagles made their collegiate debut: Kilfoy, Schoenberg, Aubrey Mendez and Paige Martin.

The victory improved John Brown to 54-8-4 (.848) at Alumni Field under Paulsen.

JBU will now prepare to welcome a Concordia (Neb.) and Oklahoma Wesleyan to Alumni Field next weekend as part of the JBU Classic. The Golden Eagles kick off with Concordia on Thursday (Aug. 29) at 7 p.m.

John Brown Women picked Second in Sooner Athletic Conference Poll

August 6, 2019

By JOHN BROWN SPORTS INFORMATION

Oklahoma City, Okla. – The John Brown University women’s soccer team was picked to finish as runner up in the Sooner Athletic Conference, per the release of the 2019 SAC Women’s Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll by the league office on Tuesday (Aug. 6) afternoon.

No.InstitutionPoints
1.Science & Arts (Okla.) (6)77
2.John Brown (Ark.) (4)76
3.Oklahoma City61
4.Texas Wesleyan60
5.Wayland Baptist (Texas)43
6.Mid-America Christian (Okla.)37
7.Central Christian (Kan.)36
8.Southwestern Christian (Okla.)27
9.Southwestern A.G. (Texas)20
10.Okla. Panhandle State13

In now consecutive seasons, the Golden Eagles finished just one point behind regular-season favorites and defending Sooner Athletic tournament champions, Science & Arts (Okla.). The Drovers finished with 77 points and six first-place votes while John Brown, who fell for the third time in four seasons to USAO in the tournament title match last fall, landed 76 points and four first-place votes. This season, JBU will look to piece together an unprecedented seventh-straight SAC tournament championship match appearance and third regular season title. Since 2013, the Golden Eagles have posted an incredible 44-6-5 (.845) mark in conference play under head coach Kathleen Paulsen.

John Brown completed the 2018 campaign with a 16-5-1 record after a disappointing 5-2-1 mark in SAC play. However, with three top-25 victories, including a win over No. 2 and eventual National Champion, William Carey (Miss.), JBU was poised to earn an at-large berth. The Golden Eagles did just that, and for the first time in program history, was selected to host an Opening Round match. In another program first, John Brown dispatched Kansas Wesleyan, 1-0, and finally earned its first-ever victory in the NAIA National Championships. Southeastern (Fla.) ran past the Blue and Gold in the Round of 16 as the Fire made its run to the national championship match. This season, John Brown will look to secure its first regular season championship since 2017 and its first tournament crown since 2016.

Oklahoma City picked up 61 points in the third spot, and Texas Wesleyan, the reigning regular season co-champs, polled 60 points to find fourth. Wayland Baptist (Texas) reeled in 43 points for the fifth slot, while Mid-America Christian (Okla.) came in at sixth with 37 points.

Central Christian (Kan.) was selected seventh, followed by Southwestern Christian (Okla.), Southwestern A.G. (Texas) and conference newcomers, Oklahoma Panhandle State, respectively.

Paulsen returns 15 letterwinners from last year’s squad, but signed eight newcomers – seven freshmen and a transfer – and welcomes back one medical redshirt.

John Brown’s biggest task will be to replace seniors Jastin Redman and Aspen Carpenter. The duo, which finished their careers first and second, respectively, on the program’s all-time scoring list, paced the team with 26 and 23 points apiece. Carpenter landed on the SAC first team while Redman finished on the second team. The Golden Eagles will also lose the midfield prowess of Melody Hagen (All-Conference second team) and Katherine Haar, and Annika Pollard on the back line.

Despite the losses, JBU returns junior Sienna Nealon, who seemed to score all of the Golden Eagles’ big-time goals, including the game-winners over William Carey and Kansas Wesleyan, the latter in the NAIA National Championships Opening Round. Nealon finished the season with four game-winners, tied with Redman for the team lead. Senior Kristen Howell, the only other returner with double-digit points, finished 2018 with 19 points (7 goals, 9 assists), including a two-goal burst at Texas Wesleyan in the SAC tournament semifinals, vaulting JBU to a come-from-behind victory.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles were bolstered by NAIA All-America third team selection Caitlyn Logan to a team .710 goals-against average, finishing in the top-20 in the nation. Playing all but 45 minutes of the season, Logan backstopped John Brown to 12 shutouts, second-most all-time in a single season in program history. Stopping over 80 percent of the shots fired on frame, Logan became just the second player in program history to achieve All-America status. Newcomers Chloe Griffin and Cailynn Campbell join Logan between the sticks in 2019. On the back line, Paulsen will enjoy the returns of Sarah Hughes and Paige Kula, who both earned All-Conference honors last year – first and second team, respectively.

John Brown kicks off the 2019 campaign with four consecutive home matches, including a pair of matchups with National Championships qualifiers Columbia (Mo.) and Louisiana State – Shreveport. Then, the Blue and Gold will travel to Kentucky to face off against another pair of qualifiers from a year ago in Martin Methodist (Tenn.) and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.). JBU finishes the non-conference slate with a home match with yet another qualifier in Georgia Gwinnett before tackling the Sooner Athletic gauntlet, which includes road matches at Science & Arts (Okla.) and Oklahoma City this season.

Hendrix Women take Early Bird Invitational

August 31, 2019

By HENDRIX SPORTS INFORMATION

CLARKSVILLE – Men’s and women’s cross country teams opened up the 2019 season by taking part in Ozarks’ Early Bird Invite at Clarksville Saturday morning.

On the men’s side, the Warriors finished in second place as freshmen Gideon Drake finished in eighth-place individually with a 19:09.3 mark in the 5K (3.11 miles) field.

On the women’s side, Hendrix topped Philander Smith and host Ozarks to win the meet. Senior Mackenzie Gearin finished first and recorded a 14:02.3 mark in the 3K (2 miles) field while sophomore Rachel Allen finished second and recorded a 14:33.0 mark.

MEET INFORMATION
Event: Early Bird Invite
Date(s): Aug. 31
Host: University of the Ozarks | Clarksville
Site: U of O Cross Country Course

WARRIORS’ TIME AND PLACES
Men
– Gideon Drake – 8th place – 19:09.3 
– Michael Miller – 11th place – 19:28.6
– Connor Escajeda – 14th place – 21:00.6
– Ian Campbell – 20th place – 15:52.9

Women
– Mackenzie Gearin – 1st place – 14:02.3
– Rachel Allen – 2nd place – 14:33.0
– Victoria Ortega – 3rd place – 14:51.5
– Tali Ramirez – 7th place – 15:55.1
– Liesl Krone – 10th place – 17:03.4
– Bailey Brya – 12th place – 17:42.7

UP NEXT
The Warriors will return to Conway Sept. 7 to take part in the Central Arkansas Invite across town.

Hendrix completes Opening Weekend sweep

August 31, 2019

By HENDRIX SPORTS INFORMATION

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – One day after knocking off the no. 14 nationally-ranked Washington University-St. Louis Bears, the Warriors remained in St. Louis, for the final two games of the Bear Invite.

First up, the Warriors battled Webster before taking on Westminster (Mo.) in the first doubleheader of the season. The Warriors took an early 2-0 set lead but it took all five sets for Hendrix to defeat the Gorloks. In the final game of the day, Hendrix cruised to a 3-0 set sweep of the Blue Jays to sweep the opening weekend of the season. The Warriors currently sit at 3-0 on the young season.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final:Hendrix 3, Webster 2  [25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 19-25, 15-9]| Hendrix 3, Westminster (Mo.) 0 | [25-20, 25-9, 25-13)
Records: Warriors 2-0, Gorloks 1-2    |    Warriors 3-0, Blue Jays 1-2
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Get Social: Twitter | @HendrixWarriors | @HCscoreboard

GAME 1 VS WEBSTER
HOW IT HAPPENED
– After Hendrix trailed 9-2 early in the opening set, a 7-0 run gave the Warriors its first lead of the match at 11-10. 
– Leading by a point, a 6-0 run allowed for a commanding 22-16 lead for Hendrix.
– Hendrix won the first five points of the second frame and won 12 of the first 14 points in the set. 
– Lauren Dwyer recorded four kills in the second frame, Sadie Walker tallied three, Mallory Carty, Kiersten Huitt and Allison Long recorded a pair of kills while MaKenzie Presley accounted for one.
– After hitting .024 in the first two sets, Webster took the next two sets to even the match at two sets apiece.
– The Warriors won the first four points of the fifth frame to force a Gorlok timeout.
– Leading 8-3, Huitt and Dwyer recorded a block assist before each player recorded a kill on the next two plays to take the commanding 11-3 edge.
– After a 5-0 Webster run, the Warriors scored four of the next five points to record another five-set victory; capped off with a block assist from Carty and Sesalie Satterwhite.
– Satterwhite notched her second double-double in as many days after accounting for 18 digs and 15 assists.
– Molly Kingston recorded a career-high 20 digs and five assists in five sets played in.
– Dwyer also accounted for a double-double after registering 17 digs and 15 kills while McGrath recorded 17 digs in the win as well.

GAME 2 VS WESTMINSTER (MO.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
– After being knotted up at 2-all, the Warriors never trailed in the opening set as Hendrix took the set, 25-20, and hit .400.
– In the second set, Hendrix trailed 3-1 early on, but an impressive 15-1 run by Hendrix gave the Warriors the 21-6 advantage as the Warriors hit a game-high .485 and limited the Blue Jays to an even .000 as Hendrix took the set, 25-9.
– In the third and final frame, the Warriors hit. 484 with 16 kills and only one errors as Hendrix swept Westminster (Mo.) for its third-straight win to open up the season.
– Satterwhite accounted for 21 assists and five digs in the win while Claire Smith added 20 assists, three kills and a dig while hitting .600 herself.
– Dwyer added 14 kills and six digs while hitting .500.
– McGrath recorded 15 digs while Kingston registered 14 as the Warriors continued its dominance in Missouri this weekend.

WHAT WAS SAID
“Coach MC Rogers and I have been challenging the team to play with confidence and never give up,” coach Brittany Newberry said. “They did that this weekend. In addition, we are a more experienced team this year and that helped us achieve a three-game sweep for our first tournament. We grew a lot this weekend and I couldn’t ask for a better start to the season.”

UP NEXT
The Warriors will remain on the road with a pivotal road trip to Illinois next weekend in another tournament. Hendrix will face University of Chicago Friday at 7 p.m. from Bloomington before facing no. 13 Illinois Wesleyan Saturday at 10 a.m. and Otterbein 12:30 p.m.

Hendrix looks to Rebound in 2019

August 17, 2019

By HENDRIX SPORTS INFORMATION

CONWAY – After guiding Hendrix to a 2015 Southern Athletic Association Championship and leading the Warriors to an impressive 8-2 record in 2017, head coach Buck Buchanan looks to continue to revitalize the Hendrix football program following a 2-8 effort in 2018.

Buchanan, who was hired immediately after Hendrix football ended its 52-year hiatus, enters his seventh season as the head man for the Warriors. Buchanan currently holds a 34-27 (.557) mark while at Hendrix with a 23-21 (.522) record in SAA play and also has guided Hendrix to finishing in the top three in the SAA three different seasons in his six years here.

Returners
After an injury sidelines him for over 75 percent of the 2018 season, one of the top quarterbacks that Hendrix has seen is back and will be wearing the black and orange this fall. After being one of the top quarterbacks, statistically, in the entire country in 2017, Miles Thompson played just more than one full game before getting injured and missed the rest of the 2018 season. Thompson, who has throw for more than 4,400 yards and 46 touchdowns, will be one of several Warrior players who bring back several years of collegiate experience.

Offensively, Thompson is joined again by Kip VanHoose. VanHoose, who led the entire SAA in rushing yards a season ago, is looking to build off a season in which the Kansas City, Mo., product rushed for 860 yards and three scores.

On the offensive line and returning for this season year is Xavion Gardner. Gardner is a two-time All-SAA First Team selection and was part of the offensive line that led the NCAA with 600 yards of total offense per game.

Defensively, Ronnie McShan, Tanner Hartsfield and Jared Bazley return for the Warriors. All three obtained All-SAA Honorable Mention honors a year ago while Hartsfield led the team in tackles with 31 solo and 70 total tackles and Bazley earned D3football.com National Team of the Week honors once. On the special teams side of things, kicker Sandy Burks returns for his senior year. A native of North Little Rock, Burks has successfully made 14 field goals, 70 PATs and has logged 56 kickoffs for 2,973 yards as a Warrior and earned D3football.com National Team of the Week honors once, as well, last season.

Newcomers
Coach Buchanan was able to welcome in more than 25 new Warriors to the Hendrix football program. Of those 25-plus newcomers, one of those names should be familiar to Conway residents.

Multi-sport sport athlete Jacob Wood shined as the star quarterback for Conway Christian, a guard for the men’s basketball team and also played baseball for the Eagles.

Wood, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound quarterback who holds several school records, led the Eagles to a 10-3 record on the 2018 season that ended in a two-point loss in the state quarterfinals to Mount Ida.

Other notable newcomers who could have a sensational freshman campaign include: wide receiver Tyler Rodriguez who earned Texas 3A Player of the Year honors and recorded 42 touchdowns at quarterback from Bonham, Texas; Thayne Garnett who is an all-around half back, tight end and running back and is a Weatherford, Texas, native running with the first-team offense; and also freshman wide receiver Harrison Campbell a native of Bentonville. Wood and Campbell both played in the Arkansas All-Star Game in June at University of Central Arkansas. Defensively, notable players to look for include defensive back’s Canon Roeder of Frisco Wakeland, Texas; Gus Asle from Frisco Reedy, Texas; and Riley Strey of Flower Mound, Texas.

Schedule
Hendrix opens the 2019 season Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. with another nonconference contest against Lyon College in Conway in a classic “Battle for ScotZilla” rivalry; looking for its third victory over the Scots in Conway in three attempts. The Warriors will hit the road for the next two games; taking on Texas Lutheran in Seguin, Texas and battling Birmingham-Southern in Birmingham, Ala., to open up SAA play. Hendrix returns back to Conway Oct. 5 to look for another victory against SAA rival Rhodes. Other notable games include the annual Hendrix College Sports Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony Nov. 2 versus Trinity and Senior Day Nov. 16 against the Sewanee Tigers from Young-Wise Memorial Stadium.

Ozarks looking to Repeat History

August 30, 2019

By OZARKS SPORTS INFORMATION

Michael Harris leads the Eagles into the 2019 season.
Photo by Ozarks Sports Information

CLARKSVILLE – The men’s cross country team made history last season and hope for more succes in 2019. 

The program had its first-ever NCAA III national qualifier. Junior Nathan Rankin qualified for nationals after receiving an at-large bid following his performance at the NCAA III regional race. 

Rankin, who’s fastest 8K time of the season was 25:28.5, is one of a number of standout runners on the team.

Senior Michael Harris is a two-time All-Conference runner and senior Jonathon Wood has made his mark on the program.

A large junior class fuels even higher expectations for the program, according to head coach Heidi Pinkerton. 

“The men’s team is looking strong and they are ready to accomplish big goals this season. We want to win conference and finish among the top-10 at Regionals. We are hoping both Nathan and Michael qualify for Nationals. Jacob and Kenny are strong freshman who can help us achieve our goals. The guys are pushing each other in training.”

Head Coach Video Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRz4bTHtSFY

Returners: Dakota Fritts (Jr.), Michael Harris (Sr.), Jaeden Miller (Jr.), Nathan Rankin (Jr.), Edwin Rivera (Jr.), Jonathon Wood (Sr.), Aaron Capehart (Sr.), Misael Perez (So.), Petron Brown (So.)                                                                             

Newcomers: Kenny Fernandez (Fr.), Jacob Mills (Fr.), Francisco Pina (Fr.), Keeshon Towles (Fr.)

Fastest 8K time in 2018: Nathan Rankin (25:28.5)

Individual Championships in 2018: Michael Harris (Arkansas D-III Championship), Michael Harris (U of O Invitational)

Highest Team Finish in 2018: 1st (Arkansas D-III Championships) and 1st (U of O Invitational)

Coach Pinkerton Quote:
“We want to win conference and finish among the top-10 at Regionals.”

2018 Post-Season: NCAA III Nationals, NCAA III Regionals, American Southwest Conference Championships

2018 National Qualifier: Nathan Rankin (So.)

2018 NCAA III Regional Finish: 19 of 33

2018 ASC Championship Finish: 4th of 12

2018 NCAA III Regional Participants: Nathan Rankin, Michael Harris, Juan Sanchez, Dakota Fritts, Luis Garcia, Jaeden Miller, Edwin Rivera

2018 Conference Awards: Nathan Rankin (All-Conference First Team), Michael Harris (All-Conference First Team)

2018 National Awards: Nathan Rankin (All-Region), Michael Harris (All-Region)

2018 ASC Runner of the Week: Nathan Rankin (twice)

2019 Schedule
August
31 Early Bird Eagles Opener (Arkansas D-III Championships)

SEPTEMBER
14 University of the Ozarks Invitational
21 at Rhodes College Invitational @ Memphis, Tenn.

OCTOBER
5 at NCAA III Pre-Nationals @ Louisville, Ky.
19 at Little Rock Invitational @ Little Rock

NOVEMBER
2 at ASC Championships @ Abilene, Texas 
16 at NCAA III Regionals @ Memphis, Tenn. 
23 at NCAA III Nationals @ Louisville, Ky.

Ozarks rebuilding with Newcomers

August 29, 2019

By OZARKS SPORTS INFORMATION

Star player Richard Souffrant is the team's leading scorer heading into the 2019 season.
Ozarks sophomore Richard Souffrant. Photo by OZARKS SPORTS INFORMATION

CLARKSVILLE – The University of the Ozarks men’s soccer team lost seven starters from a year ago, but the 2019 Eagles could be even more dynamic behind a talented and diverse core of incoming players. 

The Eagles feature players from six different countries to form a strong nucleus for fourth-year head coach Aaron Brueckner.

After a tough start to the 2018 season, the Eagles rebounded into an American Southwest Conference championship contender, qualifying for the playoffs. 

“Last year was a great example in that we had a talented team with a lot of experience, but we started 0-6-1,” said Brueckner. “It took one big win, and then from there we got the results and were one of the top teams in the league. Sometimes you have to go through a difficult period to get to the greatness.”

All-Conference players Logan Valestin, Truman Hensley and Richard Souffrant return in 2019. Valestin, a junior two-year starter at goalkeeper, owned a 1.35 goals against average last season and posted two shutouts. Souffrant, a sophomore midfielder, scored six goals and recorded two assists. Hensley, a sophomore, is one of the top defensive players in the region. 

“Logan is really maturing into that leadership role. He is doing a good job of leading by example. We are asking Truman to play a bigger role on the team. Richard had a wonderful year.” Brueckner is pleased with the way his team has come together. “Our biggest mission in the offseason was to be united and the guys have done that. With a young team comes inexperience. I have no doubt they will have each other’s back, but they will be tested at some point and will need to mature as a team. We need to deal with adversity in order to be successful this season.” 

The playoff-rich program has advanced to the conference tournament all three years under Breuckner, but he and his staff are not focusing on post-season play. “We want to challenge our guys to go day-to-day with the best training session. We want them focused on the game at hand. We are not worried about the playoffs now. We are worried about getting better every day.” 

Preseason Video Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JdWLH1Nj3U&feature=youtu.be

Returning Starters: Richard Souffrant (MF), Drew Mott (F), Truman Hensley (D), Logan Valestin(GK)

Newcomers: Anthony Herrera (GK), Giorgio Baudin (GK), Daniel Gomez (MF), Pedro Gallaga (F), Norlin Vicente (MF), Juan Cano (F), Charleus Emmanuel Ritch (F), Tapiwa Manhungo (F), Gaetan Jean Louis (F), Chris Reyes (MF), Alain Claude (D), Cade Mikish (D), Devin Pearson (D), Ruaya Zamora (MF), Jackson Rogers  (F), Harry Hilton (D), Pierre Ronaldo De Theandre  (MF), Sebastien Bathard (MF), Sebastian Rodriguez (GK)                  

2018 Top Goal Scorer: Richard Souffrant (6)

2018 Assist Leader: Richard Souffrant (2)

2018 Point Leader: Richard Souffrant (14)

All-Conference Players Returning: Logan Valestin, Truman Hensley, Richard Souffrant

2018 Record (ASC): 8-8-3 (6-4-1)

2018 Conference Finish: 5th

2018 Tournament: 1st round loss against East Texas Baptist University

Program Playoff Appearances: 16

Coach Brueckner Quote:
“Sometimes you have to go through a difficult period to get to the greatness.” 

2019 Schedule

August
21 vs Ouachita Baptist University (exhibition)   
24 vs Alumni Match (exhibition)                          
^30 – Nebraska Wesleyan University                      

September
^1 -Central College                                  
7  vs Williams Baptist University                        
14 vs Ecclesia College                                         
18 @ Hendrix College                                            
21 @ Rhodes College                                           
26 @ *Sul Ross State University                             
28 @ *Howard Payne University                            

October
3 vs *Concordia University Texas                      
5  vs *Mary Hardin-Baylor                                   
10 @ *Hardin-Simmons University                         
12 @ *McMurry University                                       
17 vs *LeTourneau University                             
19 vs %*East Texas Baptist University                 
24 vs *Louisiana College                                       
26 vs *Belhaven University