JACKSON, Miss. – A strong recruiting class gives the Millsaps men's soccer team great depth and optimism heading into the 2024 season.

Head coach Gentry Johnson welcomes 14 newcomers, including two graduate transfers and one projected redshirt, alongside 15 returners. Johnson enters his second season and 2024 marks his first recruiting class.

Junior Michael Hamauei is looking to lead at goalkeeper after leading the conference last season with 101 saves. The Shreveport, La., native started all 17 matches for the Majors a year ago. During his sophomore campaign, Hamauei's hard work on the field placed him on the All-SAA Honorable Mention Team for the second time.

This season Hamauei and sophomore Gavin Pocasangre and freshman Alden Davenport will work to keep the ball out of the net.

Graduate Connor Stegeman will also be returning as a defender for the Majors after appearing in 16 matches while making 12 starts. During the 2023 fall slate he acquired 898 minutes of playing time while scoring twice in a memorable win over Tougaloo. Stegeman could also become a game changer on the offensive and defensive side of the field once in rhythm.

Sophomore defender Ryan Hoover is another returner to watch on the field and should see more action. During his freshman campaign, Hoover played in 14 matches for 209 minutes. He netted his first collegiate goal in a 2-2 draw against ETBU.

Keeping opposing teams away from the goal will also include senior defender Parker Ricks and Luke Seelmann, juniors Lane Kirk, Collin Edwards and Fisher DeCamp. DeCamp is a transfer from Pearl River Community College and a member of the Region 23 NJCAA Division III champion in 2023-2024. All could put a spark on the Majors' backline.

Freshman new faces on defense include Anthony Charbonnet, Drake Dilodovico, Hayden Fisher and Kaleb Wilkins.

Locking down foes will be sophomore Greer Hernandez, who will be playing defender and midfielder as well as freshman Aldon Romano. Hernandez showed great fitness after earning All-Region status in cross country.

Junior midfielder Ai Suzuki, the shot taker of the team, will be making his way back to the squad. Last season Suzuki accumulated 1065 minutes of playing time and saw one goal against Centre. His 12 shot attempts and seven on goal are the most of any returner. Suzuki's speed and footwork can easily be translated down the field when putting his teammates in the right position to score or setting up assists. He scored a penalty shot goal against the Millsaps Alumni on Aug. 24.

Senior midfielder Kade Folse, another great player in his position, could possibly have a breakout year as well. Folse's effort on both sides of the field gave him the recognition of playing within 1365 minutes last season (17 appearances, 16 starts). Folse recorded one assist on the year while also scoring at ETBU.

Pitching in at midfield on the pitch will also include sophomore Ethan Pratt, who started in 16 matches last season, registered an assist and tallied two shots. Juniors Sam Cagle, a solid midfielder who saw time in 17 games, recorded three shots on goal and amassed 1186 minutes of playing time. Colleague Hogan Payne, a transfer from Itawamba College, could also be a key contributor.

The Majors are also adding five freshman midfielders, including Aidan Brown, Ellis Dykes, Drew Mckeithen, Nicholas Theriot and Harrison Williams. Mckeithen was entrusted with a large amount of playing against Holmes Community College in an exhibition on Aug. 23, while Brown scored against the Millsaps Alumni the next day.

At the forward position, senior Daniel Denton could possibly see more playing time following a redshirt season. Freshman forward Dawson Alexandre is also hoping to make a name for himself after helping Christian Brothers High School become a D2-AA West Region Champ as a member of the All-Metro team.

The Majors will begin the regular season at home against Central Baptist College on Friday. A total of 16 regular-season matches, including 10 non-conference matches, will take place prior to the SAA Tournament in early November.

Live video and live stats for all matches can be found at gomajors.com.

2024 MILLSAPS MEN'S SOCCER SCHEDULE

 

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