MGCCC has 5 soccer players sign with 4-year schools

PERKINSTON – Five Mississippi Gulf Coast soccer players have signed scholarships to continue their college careers at four-year schools.

Jordan Parron, Josh Palm, Lewis Tillman, Gio Frietas and Juan Salazar will play at the next level next season. They helped lead coach Chris Handy's Bulldogs to a 14-5 record, finishing in the MACJC semifinals. 

Parron, a 6-foot-1 defender from Brandon, will play Division I soccer at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. He had seven goals and four assists in 15 games for the Bulldogs as a sophomore.

"We're really proud of him. It's the biggest leap of any of our guys, but Jordan's a super versatile player," Handy said. "I think he'll be in the back at IUPUI, but even better than that is it's a really, really, really good school. His mom and we are more excited about that than the soccer part. He'll do well making the adjustment at that level."

Palm, a 6-foot defender from Jackson, will play Division II soccer at West Texas A&M. He had three goals in 18 games last season. Center back or outside back

"He's been here three years (because of injury) and has worked really hard for this opportunity," Handy said. "It's definitely a challenge playing defender at the next level, but it's not one I don't think he can take on and do well at. I've known him three years and he hasn't let me down yet."

Tillman, a 5-foot-10 midfielder from Madison, will also play at West Texas A&M. He had five goals and three assists in 16 games.

"He was great for us for two years," Handy said. "He really deserves this opportunity. He's going to be able to do what he's best at, playing out wide and getting crosses in."

Frietas, a 5-foot-10 defender from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., will play NAIA soccer at Life University. He had seven goals and an assist in 18 games last season.

"He's staying home a little bit. He's got family in Atlanta, so it's a good fit," Handy said. "It's a brand new program, so with Gio's personality and the things he brings to the table, I can see him being a leader. He's a hard-tackling player who loves the game. I think they're going to lean on his personality to get that program going."

Salazar, a 5-foot-7 forward from Clinton, will also play NAIA soccer at William Penn. He tied for the team lead with 13 goals and had four assists in 19 games.

"Juan is going to a really good program, and they're looking for scoring," Handy said. "That's what he brings to the table. That's who he is. He can take advantage of his opportunities in front of goal. He's excited and I think he will do well."

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.