The University of the Ozarks men's soccer team returns 11 seniors to form one of its most experienced team's in program history. Of those 11 seniors, eight have starting experience and five have been All-Conference. The Eagles will open the season in the Millsaps College Tournament September 1 and September 3.
Returning Starters: Bryce Young (Forward, Sr.), Matt Samaniego (Defender, Jr.), Alex Ross (Forward, Sr.), Luis Mena (Goalkeeper, Sr.), Johnson Cijulus (Midfielder, Sr.), Layne Garcia (Midfielder, Sr.), Robert Pope (Midfielder, Jr.), Daniel Valencia (Defender, Sr.)
Newcomers: Logan Valestin (Goalkeeper, Fr.), Miguel Reyes (Midfielder, Jr.), Garrett Hammonds (Midfielder, Fr.), Brandon Batres (Defender, Fr.), Drew Mott (Midfielder, Fr.), Ralph Jean-Pierre (Defender, Fr.) , Braden Tibbs (Forward, Fr.), Jimmy Hall (Midfielder, Fr.), Peter Ralph Severe (Midfielder, Fr.), Joshua Arroyave (Defender, Fr.), Juan Cano (Defender, Fr.), Spence Jean Baptiste (Midfielder, Fr.), Paul Bien-Aime (Midfielder, Fr.)
2016 Top Goal Scorer: Bryce Young (13), Sr., Forward/Plano, Texas
2016 Assist Leader: Thomas Ross (6), Jr., MF/Rockwall-Heath, Texas and Stewart Mena (6), graduated
2016 Point Leader: Bryce Young (27), Sr., Forward/Plano, Texas
All-Conference Players Returning: Bryce Young (Forward), Matt Samaniego (Defender), Alex Ross (Forward), Luis Mena (Goalkeeper), Johnson Cijulus (Midfielder)
2016 Record (ASC): 10-6-3 (4-4-2)
2016 Conference Finish: 5th
2016 Tournament: 1st round (Loss against Concordia University Texas)
Program Playoff Appearances: 14
Coach Brueckner Quotes:
"We have a good group of returning players and I think one of our biggest strengths is experience. I've really challenged this group to want more than making the playoffs. Ultimately, we want to bring another conference championship to the University of the Ozarks and get to the NCAA Tournament. But to reach that goal we have to take it one day at a time. I've asked them to come to training every day to improve collectively and individually. We don't want to look ahead to next week. I want them to rather focus on the match coming up. If we can do that, I think we achieve a great amount of success."
2017 Schedule
August
23 - Harding University (exhibition) - Home @ 3:00 p.m.
26 - Ouachita Baptist (exhibition) - Arkadelphia, Ark. @ 1:00 p.m.
September
1 - #Millsaps College - Jackson, Miss. @ 7:00 p.m.
3 - #Centenary College - Jackson, Miss. @ 2:00 p.m.
8 - Williams Baptist University - Home @ 4:30 p.m.
9 - Central Baptist College - Home @ 3:30 p.m.
14 - *Howard Payne University - Home @ 4:30 p.m.
16 - *Texas Dallas - Home @ 4:30 p.m.
21 - *University of Mary Hardin-Baylor - Belton, Texas @ 7:30 p.m.
23 - *Concordia University Texas - Austin, Texas @ 3:30 p.m.
28 - *McMurry University - Home @ 4:30 p.m.
30 - *Hardin-Simmons University - Home @ 3:30 p.m.
October
12 - *LeTourneau University - Home @ 3:30 p.m.
14 - %*East Texas Baptist University - Home @ 3:30 p.m.
17 - Hendrix College - Conway, Ark. @ 7:00 p.m.
21 - *UT Tyler - Tyler, Texas @ 3:30 p.m.
26 - *Louisiana College - Pineville, La. @ 7:30 p.m.
28 - *Belhaven University - Jackson, Miss. @ 1:30 p.m.
November
2, 4, 5 - American Southwest Conference Championship Championship Tournament
#Millsaps College Tournament
%Homecoming/Senior Day/Wounded Warrior/Arvest Bank Fanfest
*American Southwest Conference match
