By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Aug. 25, 2002
SCOOBA A young East Mississippi men's soccer team will gets its season under way Wednesday when East Central Community College visits the Lions.
Third-year head coach Brian Bennett takes over the men's job. He has been the Lady Lions soccer coach for the past two years and will now coach both teams this fall.
East Mississippi went 7-7-1 last season but must replace seven starters off that team.
The Lions will rely on its four returning starters for punch this season. Sophomore midfield halfback Chris Wilkens is back. He will be joined by fellow New Hope sophomore standout Brian Sanders who will also play at midfield.
Sophomore forward Patrick Dimichele and halfback Paul Ballard are the other returning starters for the Lions.
EMCC will have to rely on seven freshmen in its remaining slots. A key will be goal-keeper Daniel Hawthorne out of England.
Matthew Tanner of Vicksburg will play the sweeper role.
The other Lion forward will be freshmen Robert Willock.
The halfback positions will be split among four players in Richey Davenport, Brian Harris, Adam Hickman and Sean Quinn.
The Lions will play a 16-game schedule this fall. After the home opener with East Central, the team travels to Gulf Coast on Aug. 31. They come to Meridian to battle Meridian Community College on Sept. 7. They return home for a Sept. 7 against Copiah Lincoln.