24th Ranked Soccer Cats Open Season at Milligan August 21st
MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats came up just short of making the national tournament last year and that will provide the incentive to get back to their annual goal this year.
Bethel is ranked No. 24 in the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 - Preseason Poll.
The Cats were 13-5-2 and saw their season end in the finals of the MSC Championships. The Cats will travel to Milligan College on Monday, August 21st to face the Buffs who received votes in the NAIA Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll. Millgan was 10-3-7 last year and lost in the first round of the national tournament. The Buffs were undefeated at home last year with a 6-0-5 mark. The opening season match begins at 6 p.m. CT.
Video: https://www.milliganbuffs.com/live
Stats (Presto primetime): https://www.milliganbuffs.com/sports/msoc/2023-24/boxscores/20230821_lp3j.xml
2023 Season Preview
Bethel Head Coach Malang Jarju previewed the upcoming men's soccer team and season. "We got back on track last year by reaching the finals of Mid-South Conference Championships, but we still have something to prove this upcoming season. We are looking forward to entering the 2023 season to build on what we accomplished last year. A determined and experienced team will be put together this fall to bring back the conference title that we narrowly lost to Lindsey Wilson College. We are returning everyone from last year except Alioune Diop who was a very instrumental player for us. Our success this year will require continued improvement in all areas. With a solid and deep group of players returning with 2-3 years of experience under their belts, the potential clearly exists and that should help us achieve our goals for 2023 season."
Complacency is not likely to be a problem for the Wildcats. Coach Malang added, "We will be a team that will enter the season with unfinished business to take care of. My young men will be motivated to build on the foundation we put in place last season. Team continuity, consistency and togetherness will help fuel the team to achieve and accomplish big things this season. I am looking forward to meeting my current and new players."
Senior Adrian Musubi (8 goals- 4 assists) was a MSC 1st team all- conference performer last year. Junior Standley Isaac and sophomore Gregory Cousins are among the returning forwards who will be counted on for offensive firepower. A transfer junior from Jefferson Community College, Alvarez Cooper and a freshman from Uganda, Goffin Oyirwoth are among several members of the recruiting class of 2023 with potential to add additional dimension to the offense. The midfield looks to be deep with juniors Mountaga Sall, Nicolas Ruiz and Jermaine Muirhead. A junior transfer Hubert Kopany from Harris Stowe State University will add quality and experience to the midfield position. The Wildcats are also expecting a good contingent of the recruiting class like freshman Dorde Stankovic and Luka Mrvic to add some competition in the midfield.
The back line looks to be solid and in good shape, giving the return of senior center back Nathan Hunter who now has the benefit of one year of starting all games under his belt. Junior center back Pablo Ramirez and sophomore left back Milos Stajkovic are all returning.
Senior Norberto Lima Vieira, who has been the starter for the past three seasons returns to anchor the defense between the pipes. Vieira is the all-time career leader in saves at the school with 192. Vieira is tied with former Bethel great Marco Taafe for most wins in net with 26.
Coach Malang concluded, "The boys regained momentum and confidence last year and we hope to continue that this upcoming season. Regardless, the challenges still exist, and improvements are needed in set pieces defending and additional goal scorers must emerge. We look forward to embracing these challenges and continuing to push forward."