No. 20 Sandburg Men’s Soccer Aims for Another Historic Season

Aaron Frey
Thursday, August 19, 2021 10:49 AM
Athletics

Galesburg, IL

Coming off a historic spring, the Carl Sandburg College men’s soccer team enters this fall with a larger target.

The Chargers went unbeaten last regular season, advanced to the semifinals of the Region IV tournament, finished with a 5-1-1 record and were ranked 20^th in the NJCAA Division II postseason poll.

Sandburg comes into this year with a No. 20 preseason ranking and opens the fall 2021 schedule at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Scott. The Chargers’ first regular season home game is 4 p.m. Sept. 2 vs. John Wood at Kleine Field.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Roldy Geneus (Orlando, Fla./Evans), sophomore

Voted to All-Region IV team as a freshman
Midfielder helped lead a Chargers defense that conceded just four goals in 540 minutes last season
Chargers coach Kevwe Akpore: “Roldy is one of our most experienced and disciplined players who embraces the importance of field training and strength training. He’s always wanting to take it to the next level. You can expect to see his impact in games, whether defensively or in the midfield.”

Guylberson Camille (Key West, Fla./Key West), sophomore

Forward and co-captain led Chargers with seven goals, five assists, 19 points and 20 shots as a freshman
Voted to All-Region IV team last spring
Three game-winning goals last season ranked eighth in NJCAA Division II
Akpore: “Guylberson can be a threat to any team. I look forward to his continued work at mastering the way we play, relative to his position.”

Rhys Holt (Flintshire, Wales/Hawarden, Deeside Town), sophomore

Co-captain was named to All-Region IV team last season
Three goals, two assists and eight points in spring were all second on the team to Camille
Akpore: “Rhys is very elusive and key in critical games. I am looking to get more from him this season.”

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
Jean Forestal (Ocoee, Fla./Ocoee), freshman

Akpore: “Jean comes with the technical ability, speed and vision for the game. You can count on him to be an offensive threat regardless of opponent.”

Neemias Moreira (Uberlandia, Brazil/EE Messias Pedreiro), freshman

Akpore: “Neemias plays in the middle and can also play as a winger. He is physically in a great place to maximize his technical talents on and off the ball. He is one to look out for this season.”

Oliver Hawkins (Paddock Wood, England/Mascalls Academy), freshman

Akpore: “Oliver is a striker who also has the ability to play in the wings. He is a very technical and quick player.”

THE GLOBAL GAME
The Chargers’ roster includes players hailing from:

5 continents — Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America
11 countries — Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland, United Arab Emirates, United States, Wales
3 states — Arkansas, Florida, Illinois

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR TEAM THIS SEASON?
Akpore: “I expect quicker understanding of how we play, from the goalies to the forwards. One newcomer, goalie Benjamin Hilton (West Sussex, England/Crawley Town Academy), has demonstrated sound communication out of the back and will be impactful in how we play and defend. Bottom line, I foresee unimpeded momentum as we move through the season.”

THIS WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF ...
Akpore: “It will be a successful season if we continue working on improving our trust in passing and moving off the ball, staying on top of our strength and conditioning program and, most importantly, staying with the way we play.”

FINAL THOUGHTS FROM COACH AKPORE
“This team will be very resilient, thanks to key leadership from captains David Leal (Bogota, Colombia/Colegio Beato Jordan de Sajonia) and Matheus Andrade (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Brasil Objectivo). Their experience and leadership are infectious and, more importantly, their work on the field this year will set the tone. Overall, the team is committed to ensuring the season will be a strong one.”

No. 20 Sandburg Men’s Soccer Aims for Another Historic Season

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