August 29, 2019
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