No. 12 Men’s Soccer kicks off Friday

PERKINSTON — Each year, Mississippi Gulf Coast men's soccer coach Chris Handy faces a similar challenge. His new team shows up at the beginning of August, and about three weeks later, has to run out onto a field for its regular-season opener.

His squad is ranked 12^th in the NJCAA preseason poll, and they'll hit the field for the first time Friday when No. 9 Johnson County makes the trip to Bary Thrash Field from Kansas.

"We're still learning a lot about this team," Handy said. "I think it's a team that can solve a lot of problems, but it's going to take time to figure out what our team identity is. We're still learning that. We're just going to have to continue to build on this team and hope that we're ready to compete for a championship at the end."

Friday's opener starts at 7 p.m. Season passes and single-game tickets are available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets. Home games will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.

Last year's Gulf Coast team made it to the NJCAA Championship field in Huntsville, Ala. It was the second trip in four years, and this year's schedule is peppered with nationally-ranked opponents to test the team and build the strength-of-schedule component for the selection committee. The Bulldogs, who are 35-6-7 over the past three years, also play No. 8 Pearl River, No. 13 Jones and No. 19 Hinds twice. 

NJCAA All-American Alexander Mink (So., Long Beach/Long Beach) is back, and he's changing positions. He had three goals and three assists as a freshman, helping the Bulldogs post a 1.14 goals-against average. 

"He played center back a year ago, but our intention is to put him into the midfield as more of an attacking player," Handy said. "We're really excited about his physicality as a center mid."

Seamus Murphy (So., Gulfport/Gulfport) has provided the steadiness needed from sophomores, and Storm Hesselager (Fr., Helsinge, Denmark/Gribskov Gymnasium) brings his technical play to the center of the park. Hayden Thomas (So., Clinton/Clinton) returns after missing last year to injury.

Two newcomers in midfield bring prolific resumes. Michael Baty (Fr., Gulfport/St. Patrick) scored 33 goals with 18 assists last year, and Trey Roche (Fr., Pass Christian/Pass Christian) got 30 goals himself. Aiden Owens (Fr., Hattiesburg/Oak Grove) has shone in camp.

Neko Worthy (So., St. Martin/St. Martin) was All-MACCC last year, and he'll be one of the outside backs. Tobias Buch (So., Skovlunde, Denmark/Borupgaard Gymnasium) also returns, providing a formidable center back tandem with Stiward Palacios (Fr., Medellin, Colombia/Colegio Salesiano el Sufragio).

"We're excited about what we have back there," Handy said. "You know, so I think we can make it a strength of ours if we do our job developing everybody else."

Pedro Harb (Fr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/CEJA Copacabana) got a late start in camp because of the visa process, but he's expected to contribute goals up top. Thomas may see time as a striker, and Dorian Robinson (So., Biloxi/Biloxi) is back from a late-season injury. Handy thinks Vincenzo Jeanfreau (So., Saucier/Pass Christian), who scored four goals with three assists last year, will have a great season, too.

Keepers Omarion Brown (Fr., Linstead, Jamaica/St. Catherine) and Xavier Ezell (So., Starkville/Starkville) will be the final line of defense for Handy's squad.

"They have been really good in camp," he said. "They're both really good shot-stoppers. We're confident they're both good enough to step in and help us win games by the end of it. I think they'll continue to grow with the team, but both of them have shown their worth entering the season."

Gulf Coast got another taste of soccer on the national stage last year. As usual, the Bulldogs are chasing MACCC and district titles. A big part of that is getting the team in shape for the grueling months ahead.

"We want to be able to keep up with the pace of the game at the highest levels," Handy said. "But it's going to be a tough season. It's a tough schedule. We know that. We're going to have to grow up some. We just hope we grow up quickly."

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.