CLINTON, Miss. - The men's soccer team was picked fourth in the preseason GSC Coaches Poll, narrowly trailing West Florida, Lee, and Christian Brothers who rounded out the top three, as released by the conference office on Tuesday.
The Choctaws were highlighted by two preseason All-GSC team members in Joshua Davies and Guilherme Santos.
Davies is coming off of a season in which he earned several accolades, including being named a 3rd team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches. He also earned a consensus 1st team All-South Region selection from D2CCA and USC, and was celebrated as the GSC Defensive Player of the Year.
Over the course of the season, Davies started all 16 matches, netted two goals, and led the team with a staggering 1,398 minutes played.
Santos appeared in 15 matches making 13 starts. He ranked third on the team with four goals and contributed an assist, accumulating nine points for the season. Santos played for a total of 861 minutes in 2022.
Both players represented Mississippi College in the 2023 GSC Men's Soccer Preseason All-GSC team, with Davies in the defense and Santos gracing the midfield.
The Choctaws have a full slate schedule of 16 games in 2023 with 11 GSC matchups and eight home games. MC opens their season on the road on Thursday, August 31, at 7 p.m. CT, facing off against Florida Southern in Lakeland, FL. They will then travel to Eckerd on September 2 for a Saturday road match at 1 p.m. in St. Petersburg, Fla.
2023 MSOC Preseason All-GSC Team
GK – Max Klink, Christian Brothers, Gr.
D – Fynn Geigle, West Florida, So.
D – Josh Davies, Mississippi College, Gr.
D – Charlie Elliott, Auburn Montgomery, Gr.
M – Fabian Navarro, Lee, Jr.
M – Shane Pettit, West Alabama, So.
M – Guilherme Santos, Mississippi College, Gr.
M – Stan De Vries, Union, Sr.
F – Kainan Dos Santos, West Florida, Sr.
F – Lucho Galizzi, Christian Brothers, Sr.
F – Keegan Ancelin, West Florida, Jr.
AL – Andres Solares, Christian Brothers, Sr.
2023 MSOC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. West Florida – 121 (11)
2. Lee – 100
3. Christian Brothers – 89 (1)
4. Mississippi College - 85
5. Auburn Montgomery - 84
6. West Alabama - 82
7. Montevallo - 76
8. Spring Hill - 45
9. Alabama Huntsville - 40
10. Delta State - 31
11. Union - 29
12. Shorter - 11
