By By Shawn Wansley / EMG Sports Writer
Aug. 25, 2003
ELLISVILLE Mark Easley is optimistic about his 2003 men's soccer team at Jones Junior College.
paper than we were last year.
The Bobcats were 4-8-1 last season. This year, they are expected to start at least seven freshmen. That young team opened the season with an 8-0 win at East Mississippi Community College on Saturday.
Their first home game will be Aug. 30 vs. Holmes at 1 p.m. The Bobcats will be playing their home matches on the old football practice field by the women's dormitory.
Andy Gough, a freshman from Vicksburg St. Aloysius, will be the keeper. West Jones freshmen Ben Pace and Marcus Garec will be midfielders, while Laurel freshman Eric Asmar and George County freshman Jeff Miller are also battling for a starting midfielder slot.
Laurel freshman Brandon Easterwood, West Jones sophomore Jeremy Young, George County sophomore Duke Hemenway and Starkville freshman Ivan Lopez who comes from Venezuela are the forwards.
Pearl River Community College transfer Rusty Russell, a Petal sophomore, will be a sweeper, while George County freshman Justin Beck and George County sophomore John Drinkard will be at fullback.
Rounding out the roster are Warren Central sophomore Trey Banks, Wayne County sophomore Paul Bankston, West Jones sophomore Gathan Wells, Natchez Cathedral midfielder Byron Zerby, North Forrest freshman Adam Bailey, West Jones freshman Matthew Hanna, and West Jones sophomores Bryan Blackledge and Morgan Whitt.
Easley said the South Division race will be difficult.
Meridian had all freshmen, except for one player last year, so they all return. Pearl River has a lot of Oak Grove freshmen, who had a great high
school team last year, so they're strong.
you go out and play. This men's league is as balanced and as strong in the year's we've had a soccer team."