By James Jackson, Graduate Assistant for Sports Communication
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University Men’s soccer team is excited as they get ready for the 2023 season. Last year, the Bulldogs posted a 4-11-1 overall record and a 1-9-1 conference record. After this season, the team has brought in 10 newcomers to boost the squad and return to winning ways.
Union head coach Steven Cox is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Bulldogs. He is joined on the bench by first-year assistant coach Christian Young.
The Bulldog’s season will begin with two away exhibition matches against Bethel University and University of Missouri – St. Louis. Union then plays two home preseason matches against Ouachita Baptist and Harding University on August 31 and September 2. These games are followed by two away preseason games at Trevecca Nazarene and Missouri S&T. The Bulldog’s open the Gulf South Conference with home games against Auburn Montgomery and Delta State on September 16 and 22.
This year’s team is compiled of seven seniors, bringing depth and experience to the team in Botond Nemeth, Alpay Altuntas, Jorge Gutierrez, Stan De Vries who led the team with five assists, Kobi Mosley, Sam Newman, and Kenny Nitsche.
The junior class consists of two transfers who will bring more depth to the upperclassman group in Jamie Chamberlain and James Baker.
The sophomore class is compiled of six returners in Hunter Santoscoy, Alexander Lapkalo, Ostian Bowen who led the team with seven goals and was named GSC Freshman and Player of the week, Christian Harjanne, Jacob Blue, and Tommy Scahill.
The Bulldogs look to strengthen their squad with eight freshmen coming into the team in Will Weingart, Pierre Van Tilburg, Niklas Bindewald, Ashanie Kennedy, Tucker Cowles, Thad McCanse, Zeph Key, and Brody Thompson.
The Bulldog’s captain and midfielder Stan De Vries is named in the preseason All-GSC team, and Ashanie Kennedy is named to the GSC newcomers watchlist. The team is ranked 11th in the GSC preseason poll.
https://gscsports.org/news/2023/8/18/mens-soccer-west-florida-tops-2023-gscmsoc-preseason-poll.aspx
