10 Bulldogs headed to the Next Level

PERKINSTON — The Mississippi Gulf Coast men's soccer program's longtime motto under coach Chris Handy has been Two-Year School, Four-Year Program. It reflects a commitment to getting his Bulldogs prepared for and moved out to the Next Level.

The number of players from the 2025 team continuing their college careers reached double-digits again, with 10 headed out. That's tied for the most in Handy's 14 years in charge at Perk. The last time it happened was in 2022, and 33 players have signed in the last four years.

"They've taken care of business not just as freshmen going to nationals, but also in the classroom and being the MACCC Academic Team of the Year and all that stuff," Handy said. "That's why we've been successful. Our guys take care of business in the classroom. They work hard on the field. Hopefully, we can look back on this group as one that allows us to consistently put players onto the four-year level. We've got four Division I players this year, which says a lot about where the program is."

Those four are the most in Handy's tenure. Three are going to NCAA Division II, two to NCAA Division III and one to an NAIA school.

Since 2013, the Bulldogs have sent 77 players to the Next Level since 2013 and 18 to Division I schools.

Alexander Mink, University of Texas Rio Grand Valley (NCAA Division I)

One of the most decorated players in Gulf Coast history, the two-time NJCAA All-American from Long Beach scored 16 times in 2025 as a midfielder. He played defender as a freshman, helping the Bulldogs secure a berth in the NJCAA Championship. Mink is also a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American and left Perk with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

Tobias Buch, University of Texas Rio Grand Valley (NCAA Division I)

A workhorse defender/midfielder from Skovlunde, Denmark, scored three times last season and assisted on four others. He earned All-MACCC honors on the field as well as in the classroom, also picking up NJCAA All-Academic awards twice.

Dorian Robinson, Utah Tech University (NCAA Division I)

A dependable defender from Biloxi, Robinson scored a goal and helped backline a squad that posted a 1.22 goals-against average.

Vincenzo Jeanfreau, Utah Tech University (NCAA Division I)

The crafty midfielder from Saucier scored one goal and assisted on another as a sophomore. As a freshman, he had four goals and three assists.

Stiward Palacios, Francis Marion University (NCAA Division II)

The imposing defender from Medellin, Colombia, was a constant in the center of the stingy Bulldogs defense. He scored twice while starting 17 games, leaving after one season at Perk where he as on the All-MACCC team.

Neko Worthy, Concord University (NCAA Division II)

A relentless left back/winger from St. Martin scored one goal with an assist as a sophomore during a season where he started all 18 games and earned All-MACCC honors. Worthy had a goal and two assists while helping the Bulldogs to the national tournament his first season. 

Hayden Thomas, Mississippi Christian University (NCAA Division II)

A creator in midfield, the third-year player bounced back from a knee injury to set up seven goals while scoring twice. He scored four times as a freshman in 2023, also assisting seven times. (Mississippi College recently renamed itself Mississippi Christian.)

Seamus Murphy, Millsaps College (NCAA Division III)

The midfielder from Gulfport had one assist last season, starting five of the 16 games he played in.

Hung Nguyen, Belhaven University (NCAA Division III)

Limited to only three games because of a knee injury, Nguyen was the consummate teammate.

Xavier Ezell, University of St. Mary (NAIA)

The transfer keeper from Starkville started three games for the Bulldogs, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.33 goals-against average.

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