LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern men's soccer team will open its 2023 campaign at home this weekend. The Moccasins will take on Mississippi College this Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7 pm followed by another home game with Delta State University Monday, Sept. 4 at 1 pm.
With the season set to kick off Saturday night in Lakeland, head coach
Ashley Holmes '12 looks forward to the depth this team possesses to compete in every game. Holmes believes with the development of returning players and the addition of key transfers and freshmen, this team will be ready to make a push in the Sunshine State Conference.
"Last season was such a big rebuild for us with 17 new players, giving us the opportunity for a lot of teachable moments, "stated Holmes. "We are a lot stronger off the bench this season and preseason has been fantastic for us. Having the extra depth will help us go Saturday, Wednesday, and Saturday against some top-25 opponents in conference play."
Holmes will look to senior goalkeeper
AJ Pearce and senior forward
Kyle Carr to lead this team on and off the pitch. Pearce appeared in 14 games last year for the Mocs playing 1260 minutes and logging 64 saves as goalkeeper. Carr appeared in 14 games for the Mocs in 2022 and was second on the team with 7 goals and 15 points.
"Pearce's leadership will be huge and Carr's hard work embellishes everything about the culture of this program," Coach Holmes said of these two gentlemen.
Other notable returners include
Jay Skelcher-Maxwell and
Victor Beker who are both juniors looking to make an impact on this year's squad. Beker, who did not get much playing time last year, has been one of the best players for the Mocs this preseason.
Skelcher-Maxwell and Beker will be joined by Division I transfer
Ruben Linden from Wisconsin Green Bay, where Holmes is confident Linden will fit right into the heart of the defense this year.
A few other great additions to the roster will be freshmen
Pablo Overfeld from Germany and
George Spencer from England. Holmes looks for Overfeld to provide a pulse in the backline in his first year and for Spencer to be competing for a forward position. Holmes is very excited about the freshman class and the different skill sets they bring to the team.
Assisting Holmes will be newly appointed associate head coach
Antony Moore and assistant
Pablo Gallo Arias '19. Moore and Arias are both returning from last year's staff along with goalkeeper's coach
Cody Camp. The coaching staff will be looking to build off last year and use all the players' unique skills in every game.
The Mocs open their season at home this Saturday, Sept. 2 at Berend Field in Lakeland, Fla. against Mississippi College. After the pair of games at home, the Mocs will hit the road for the first time this year with a pair of games in Alabama as they will face off against the University of Alabama Huntsville on September 8th and the University of West Alabama on September 10th.
