Men's Soccer Kicks off Friday

CARLINVILLE, IL – The Blackburn College Men's Soccer team comes into the season with a new look as the team features 20 freshman but will lean heavily on their three seniors to lead a young squad looking to make an immediate mark in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. 

The Beavers will be led by their three seniors, Shane Greathouse, Dawson Klunk, and Jacob Sauvage. Greathouse comes back as the returning goal scorer after scoring six last season and 17 total throughout his career. Klunk returns for his fifth year and his second year back from a season-ending injury and looks to return to his Second Team All-SLIAC form. Sauvage returns and will lead the team's defense and back line. 

In addition to Greathouse leading the offensive attack, junior Christian Miller and sophomore Landon Snyder return looking to expand their roles this season. Blackburn also brings in some strong offensive firepower. Freshman Cristian Cazares comes to the team after setting school records including scoring over 100 goals in his career. Freshman Marc Pierre was his team's leading scorer and offensive player of the year as well. Junior Tyler Marconi joins the squad after scoring 10 goals with 11 assists at Illinois Valley Community College. Freshman Jhazyel Ortega will look to aid the team's attack in his first season. 

Returning to patrol the midfield will be sophomore Julio Palma, Alex Jimenez, and Sam Burrows who will look to take a bigger role after gaining experience last season. Sophomore Cade Harper moves positions which will allow him to aid the team's attack more. Freshman Johnny Perla comes from MLS Next and will help control the middle and is joined by freshman AJ Blanco. 

Freshman Fredy Paiz, Grant Eugea and Henry Ibarguen will look to make an immediate impact on the wings as all three play with an unmatched pace and are skilled attackers as well. They will be eyed to use their ability to set up others to provide a key portion of the offense. Freshmen Corban Parker and Corbin Bochinski will also compete for time.  

The defensive midfield with be manned by very capable performers who will consistently push each other throughout the year. Sergio Nieto comes to the team after leaving NCAA Division II Lewis University while freshman Ethan Kassulke and Cooper Formea were impactful players for their powerhouse high school squads. 

Defensively, Sauvage is joined by senior Blake Goodman and junior Landon Tribble as experienced returners. Freshman Gavin Norwood and Byron McNeil who are set to become cornerstones at the center back positions for the next four years. Freshmen Ty Dyson brings great defensive ability but also can aid the team's offense while freshman Brayden Smith will be looked upon to make a major and immediate impact on both ends of the field. Yair Jimenez will look to gain experience throughout their debut seasons. 

Klunk will start the season as the team's top goalkeeper but will be pushed by a talent crop of newcomers. Freshman Youssef Mahrish was named his team's Player of the Year while freshman Leandro Triano and Boris Shteyngart were both team captains. 

Blackburn kicks off the season this weekend with a trip to Indiana where they will visit Anderson University Friday and take on Earlham College Saturday. The team hosts Cornell College September 5 in their home opener.