Jackson, MS-The 2009 Belhaven Men's Soccer team has high hopes as they head into the 2009 season following a solid 2008 campaign that helped put the program back on the national stage. The Blazers had an impressive 14-4-1 overall record and were ranked as high as sixth in the NAIA Top 25 Poll. It was one of the best seasons in school history over the past ten years.

 

Juan Rodriguez provided outstanding offensive production for the Blazers in 2008. Rodriguez was near the top of the record books for the most goals (16) and most points (35) in a season. He also won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Offensive player of the week honor three times. Goalkeeper Zach Wallace also had a special season for Belhaven reaching double digit shutout wins and becoming one of the leaders in fewest goals allowed in a season. Wallace joined Rodriguez in being named GCAC Defensive Player of the week three times during 2008 and the good news is that both Rodriguez and Wallace will be back for 2009.

 

Six Blazers were named to the GCAC All-Conference team. Belhaven Goalie Zach Wallace made the team for his outstanding play this season in net. Joining him on the first team were Defender Ricky Machel, Midfielders Jose Morales and Alan Hannon, and Attacker Juan Rodriguez. John Kehoe was also selected as an honorable mention to the GCAC team. Head Coach Steve DeCou was selected as the Co-Conference Coach of the year.

                                                               

Joining Rodriguez and Wallace on the list of returners for 2009 are Alan Hannon, John Kehoe, and Jose Morales. Hannon was second on the team in points with 14 which consisted of six assists and four goals in 2008. Kehoe and Morales played in all 19 games and bring valuable experience to this year's team.

 

“When I took this job two years ago, I felt that the program was on the verge of getting back to the heights of the glory days of the '90's,” says Coach DeCou. “Going into the 2008 season we knew that we had the pieces in place to be successful; we were very pleased and surprised with the results we achieved.”

 

Although Belhaven will have a good amount of talent returning this year, the Blazers will have to find a way to replace some key players who graduated after last season. All seven starters on defense from a year ago, including defender Ricky Machel who garnered an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Selection, will see new faces at those positions. Despite the challenge of having to replace so many key players, the Blazers are optimistic that they won't miss a beat in 2009.

 

Belhaven had a great recruiting year by signing some talented Junior College players as well as some outstanding first year players. In all, there will be 17 new faces roaming the sidelines in 2009 for Belhaven. One of the biggest keys for a good season will be team chemistry and how well the new players can come in a pick up the system. However, there is no doubt that the Blazers are loaded with talent.

“We added depth at every spot with recruiting during the offseason,” says DeCou. “In fact, for every player that we lost we found someone who possesses an equal or even greater amount of talent. Plus, we have added more depth this year which will be a boost for us as we head into the 2009 season.”

 

After a disappointing end to the 2008 season, the Blazers have a renewed passion to compete for a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship and ultimately make a trip to the NAIA National Tournament. “As we look to 2009 our long-term goal is to compete every year for a conference and national championship," says DeCou. “In 2008 we were able to put the program back in the national spotlight due to the fact that we have been able to recruit quality student-athletes. We will continue to strive to recruit and sign the most talented student-athletes that fit the core values of Belhaven College and that want a chance to compete for championships.”

 

The Blazers take on a tough schedule in 2009 with nine of their seventeen opponents included in the national rankings. Belhaven will open the regular season on the road at the Bryan College Tournament on Friday against Bethel College and will then face Bryan College on Saturday in the opening weekend of the season. Other key matches this season include a showdown with Embry-Riddle University, Delta State University, Shorter College, and Martin Methodist College. The Blazers GCAC Schedule includes contests against William Carey University, the University of Mobile, Spring Hill College, and LSU-Shreveport who will be fielding a team for the first time this year.

 

Belhaven's first regular season home game is scheduled for September 12^th at 5:00 PM against Texas College. The Blazers played three pre-season games in August beginning on the 14^th at Alabama A&M University.