JACKSON - After a disappointing season in 2010, the Millsaps Majors Men's Soccer Team is ready to bounce back and make a splash in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Lee Johnson enters his ninth season as the Majors head coach and has brought in a new assistant coach and 11 newcomers to his team.
Steve Voltz has taken over as assistant coach for the Majors replacing Shane Barden and Ed Moore. Voltz brings over 10 years of coaching experience to the Majors. The new staff, a large freshman class, and a group of returners look to bring a successful season to Millsaps in 2011.
“Our goal this season is simple, make it to Birmingham at the end of the season and win a conference championship,” says Johnson.
Forwards
The Majors bring back two experienced forwards in senior Brian Meyers and sophomore Trey Fontaine. Meyers played in 14 games last year, earning one start and scoring one goal. He enters his final year as one of the leaders of the group of forwards.
Fontaine made a mark last year as a true freshman. He started 14 of the 18 games he played in and was first on the team in assists (3) and second on the team in goals scored (3) and points (9). Fontaine was also perfect last year in penalty kick situations. As he returns, Fontaine will be looked at as one of the primary goal scorers on the Millsaps squad.
Midfielders
Millsaps welcomes back six midfielders this season while only losing one starter to graduation. Sophomore Michael Pellissier returns after a stellar freshman year. Pellissier started in 15 of the 17 games he played in while accounting for one goal. The team also welcomes back key reserves in junior Duncan Stakevich and sophomore Hayden Baker. Coach Johnson feels Baker is primed to have a breakout season.
“I think Hayden is set to have a great season,” says Johnson. “He came in this year fit and ready to play and should really help our team out.”
The Majors also received some good news that redshirt junior Drew Moroux has returned after a season ending injury last season. Moroux started 30 total games in 2008 and 2009 and brings great experience to the team.
Defense and Goalkeepers
Maybe one of the most experienced groups of the team will be the defenders. Junior Taylor Harrison, along with sophomore James Klugh are returning starters as they started a majority of games last season. Millsaps also welcomes back key reserves in senior Will Christian and Alex Szabo. Senior Martin McManus makes the move to defense this season and looks to be a key contributor.
In goal, Millsaps welcomes back one of the best goalkeepers in the conference in senior Dylan Broussard. Broussard started nine games last season, making 85 saves and keeping Millsaps within striking distance.
His backup, Stephen Andrieu, has proven he can step in and be a major factor in goal as he picked up 33 saves last season in four starts. Andrieu had a goals allowed average of 1.87.
Newcomers
The Majors welcome in 11 newcomers this season who are looking to make an impact immediately.
“It's a good class,” explains Johnson. “They will play many minutes for us and should help out team out.”
One name Millsaps fans could remember is former Millsaps football player Martin Haaga. He returns from injury and has joined the soccer team to look to make a difference.
“For our team, under Coach Johnson, classification has never been an issue, the best 11 will play,” Moroux went on to add. “Sure, experience is a valuable piece of a team, but it never fails that young players challenge older players. It is expected and welcomed because it is the only way our team can improve from year to year. “
Schedule
The Majors open things up on the road on September 1st at Louisiana College before traveling to Memphis for the weekend to take on the Ozarks and Maryville. The first home match is set for September 9th against East Texas Baptist.
The Majors then take on Austin College at home, followed by a road game against Huntingdon, and a return trip home to face Hendrix and Colorado College. Millsaps then hits the road to take on Trinity and Southwestern, returns home to battle Birmingham-Southern and Oglethorpe, and hits the road again to travel to Sewanee and Centre. The Majors will finish things off against Rhodes at home.
New to the SCAC this season is postseason play in soccer. It is the inaugural year of the SCAC soccer tournament which will be held in Birmingham on November 4th. The best six teams will qualify.
The Majors look to improve after a tough season a year ago and may have the pieces to not only improve, but make a run towards the top of the conference. A trip of a lifetime to Brazil and hard work has not only made the Majors better, but has brought them closer.
“There are many moving parts to our team right now, we have a new assistant coach in Steve Voltz who brings a new passion and energy to the team and a large freshman class; we are coming off of the trip to Brazil last Spring that made this team the closest I've ever played with,” adds Moroux. “But if I had to choose (a key to success) it would be the drive and thirst for continuous improvement and never being satisfied with where we are or what we've achieved.”
