Bulldogs continue preparation for season opener

The 10 returning players and the 18 new players on the men's soccer team are meshing well so far in the preseason, according to Holmes Community College Associate Men's Head Coach Ousmane Coulibaly.

"The preseason has been going great," Coulibaly said. "We look very strong in every area. We have depth in every position which is great for us when it comes to substitutions during games to maintain a good level."

"We still need to improve in all areas to have a great team and a successful season," he said. "Our expectations are to make playoffs, and we will go from there one game at a time. We picked up some very good players this year to help our returning players."

Dalton Mailman, a sophomore midfielder from Okaloosa, Fla., is expected to be a leader from the returning players. "He gives us that extra security in front of our defense."

Newcomers Khalee Wilson of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Juan Pablo Rodriguez of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Luis Oseguera of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Bennett Crain of Brandon, Brandon King of Southaven and Colby Fair of Southaven will be key to the Bulldogs' success.

Coulibaly said Wilson is a versatile player who can play every position on the pitch except for goalkeeper. "He will bring a lot to the team with his knowledge, vision and leadership qualities." 

"Rodriguez is also a very talented player who will certainly add some quality to our attacking plays by scoring some important goals for us," he said. "Oseguera, a very talented and aggressive center midfielder, will add a lot of quality to our midfield with his work ethic on the field besides his distribution qualities."

"Crain will certainly help us a great deal on the attack with his aggression and relentlessness," Coulibaly said. "King, an excellent defender, will be the anchor of our back line and help take our defending to another level with his solid defending, composure, leadership and distribution out off the back. Fair, a very talented goalkeeper, will definitely make the saves that would keep us in games and give us more confidence going forward." 

"Overall, we have a well-balanced team this year, and we will work very hard to reach our goal of making playoffs."