November 26, 2008

MARS HILL, N.C. - With the 2008 season in the books, Mars Hill men’s soccer has continued its progress toward the top of the SAC and the Southeast Region.

On December 11, Rondon Bacchus (Point Fortin, Trinidad ) was selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Southeast Region Third Team. The teams were decided by a vote of head coaches from across the country.

Bacchus started 17 games for the Lions this past season and was the centerpiece of a defense that allowed only 1.56 goals per game.

It was a season of recent firsts for the program as the Lions turned in the program’s best season since 2001, the program’s first double digit win total since 2000, the fourth-most single season wins in program history and the fourth-best overall season in program history.  Mars Hill also received their first Southeast Region ranking since joining the region this year, coming in at No. 9 in the October 25 ranking week.

In South Atlantic Conference play the Lions brought home their most wins since 2002 with victories over Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne (first since 2004), Brevard and for the first time in many years, a win over Catawba.  The program’s 35 goals scored were the most since 2000 as well.

The 2007 and 2008 seasons also represent the best two-year stretch for the program since 2000-2001.

Entering the season having lost Daniel Waymont to graduation, the Lions looked to a number of different players to handle the scoring load.  Ernest Sobers stepped up in large part, contributing seven goals and three assists to lead the team in scoring with 17 points.  Freshman Rury Caulfield added six goals and four assists for 16 points, followed by Troy Cole with 14 points and freshman Giovanni Malnati with 11.

The team was strong defensively as well, led by senior Rondon Bacchus, and sophomores Kel Cox and Jamal Wiggins.

Mars Hill finished second in the SAC in shots per game and finished fourth in both goals allowed and goals against average.  Caufield, the conference’s most consistent freshman performer, finished the campaign ranked eleventh in shots taken, tenth in shots per game and tenth in assists.  Sobers completed the season ranked tenth in the South Atlantic Conference in goals scored, and in a crucial category, thirrd in game-winning goals.

Following the season, accolades were handed out to both Ernest Sobers, who received second team All-South Atlantic Conference honors as a forward and to Rondon Bacchus, who received not only second team All-South Atlantic Conference honors, but was recognized as a first team Daktronics Southeast All-Region selection, the second consecutive year Bacchus has been awarded All-Region status.

Strong season performances were contributed by junior captain Kenny Wallace, Nick Cartwright and senior captain Troy Cole, while freshmen Xavi Belles, Rafi Berrios and Giovanni Malnati gave glimpses of what promises to be a potent attacking group.

Other season highlights included senior Colin Nannery’s game winner over Catawba College, freshman striker Brandon Tardioli’s first collegiate goals despite carrying a season-long knee injury and Dave Robb’s set piece magic versus Lenoir-Rhyne.

The Lions received the number five seed in the rigorous SAC conference tournament and eventually fell to number four seed Lincoln Memorial despite outshooting the 2007 NCAA Division II runner-up by a count of 16-6.

While the program graduates six seniors, including captains Rondon Bacchus and Troy Cole, nine of the team’s regular starters return, part of the 26 returning team members.

The program says goodbye to seniors Rondon Bacchus, Troy Cole, Daniel Goforth, Josiah Larson, Colin Nannery, and Brian Reyes and will welcome another talented recruiting class into the program as the future remains very bright for the MHC Lions.

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