FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
SGC Men Look Good in Pre-season Action, Open Regular
Season Today
The SGC Tigers men’s soccer program completed pre-season
play this past Saturday, and optimism fills the air in their locker room.
The team brought in 12 new faces and returns13 players from last year’s team
that lost in the first round of the play-offs. Coach Ken Kirsch begins his
second season with the Tigers and really likes what he has seen so far. “I
think we addressed some needs in the off-season but it is nice to have a
strong group return because it shortens the learning curve for the young
players.”
The Tigers return Second Team All-American Felipe Nascimento, who finished
the 2009 campaign sixth in the nation in scoring; central mid player Johnny
Waters whose experience should help tremendously; and in the back, defender
John-Michael White should provide leadership and strong play to anchor this
group. The Tigers’ 2010 class added some speed, depth and some strong
technical players. Coach Kirsch stated, “I believe we run better overall and
our touch may not let us down as much this season. I am pleased with the
players we brought in and I feel they compliment the returning players very
well.” The Tigers added speedy flank players Connor Stevenson from Orlando,
and Patrick Olschlager from Tallahassee; a silky smooth intelligent defender
in Emanuel Goncalves from Brazil and Jeff Dumond from Augusta; and Sam Wise
from Columbus, Georgia, should provide strong play in net this season. Coach
Larry Butler comes from Leesburg, Florida, and will be a great addition to
the Tigers’ coaching staff. “It’s great to have a full-time coach working
with us this season. It will help tremendously,” said Coach Kirsch.
The men’s team reported to pre-season camp on Aug. 8 and have not looked
back since. Three-a-day practices, weights and conditioning have been the
theme for the past two weeks. “I have a six-week program to start this
season to ensure our fitness levels are at a maximum,” noted Coach Kirsch.
In three pre-season games the Tigers went 1-1-1 but outscored their opponent
by a 6-4 margin. “I think we should be able to score some goals this season
and if we can keep some clean sheets in the back it should provide well for
us,” said Coach Kirsch. SGC hosted and won 5-2 against a local club team
last Wednesday, had a 1-1 draw against NCAA Division II Georgia Southwestern
University on Friday and in the most entertaining game of the week, SGC lost
0-1 against the Savannah College of Art and Design from the NAIA on
Saturday. “We played well and consistent in all three games. We need to
create a consistency and an expectation in how we are going to play every
day and every game all season long,” said Coach Kirsch.
The Tigers take a trip to North Carolina to open up regular
season play this weekend. They play Cape Fear Community College in
Wilmington on Aug. 28 and then travel to Raleigh to play Wake Tech College
on Aug. 29. Schedules are posted on the SGC athletic Web site.
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About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is an accredited two-year institution in the
University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's
environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary
study and close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer
opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible
to the citizens of its service area.
