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WESSON – A team that plays together and for one another, that’s what first year Copiah-Lincoln men’s soccer coach Junior Noel is looking for from his Wolves in 2015. Noel believes in the preseason that he’s seen a team that has bought into working together.
“These guys have given me everything I’ve asked of them so far,” said Noel. “They’ve been very coachable and willing to learn and that’s very encouraging.”
The tone setters for that work ethic are a group of five sophomores. Goalkeepers Bailey Hart and Noah Johnson, defenders Montie Smith and Johnny Moore, and forward Aaron Gutierrez make up the Co-Lin sophomore class. Having two veterans who can work in the net like Hart and Johnson gives Co-Lin depth at that position that you rarely see in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC). Hart was MACJC All-State as a freshman and the Pearl High School product looks to be even better in 2015. Johnson, a graduate of Southeast Lauderdale, backed up Hart as a freshman and drew several starts. In Smith and Moore the Wolves have two defenders who saw significant action last season with Smith starting in a number of matches. Gutierrez may have the most to prove out of the sophomore class. The Forest High School product was a goal scorer in high school and early last season put some balls into the net before cooling down. With some new additions doing work in the midfield, Noel feels like Gutierrez will see his scoring opportunities flourish.
Soccer teams in the MACJC are allowed two players from out of state and for the first time in quite a while, Co-Lin will have that quota met. Both out of state players hail from Davidson High School in Mobile, Alabama. Midfielders Jorge Fuentes and Mediateur Batevya were brought to Wesson by a coach who has deep connections in Mobile. Noel played at the University of Mobile and has coached at the university and also coached youth soccer in Mobile. What Fuentes and Batevya have is the confidence that comes from playing at a very competitive level of high school soccer. Fuentes is deft with either foot and Batevya, while the smallest player on the team, is quick as a hiccup.
In a large group of in-state freshmen, 13 players in all, Noel sees a group hungry to learn. “Defender Alex Boykin is a good example of this group, he’s always asking for extra work and to be pushed,” said Noel. The coach also mentions Sean East, Ethan Verdin, and Dalton Holliday as leaders in the freshmen class who have set an example in practice with their effort and work ethic.
For Noel, success with his team will be measured in their growth throughout the season and by providing a consistent effort no matter the opponent or their schemes. With a focused group of sophomores and an eager group of freshmen, the Wolves appear to be on their way to reaching those goals.
Simpson County Soccer Players: From left, Alex Boykin of Magee, Haylee Smith and Jhessika Crosby, both of Mendenhall; William and Douglas Escamilla, both of Magee.
