Welo, Bachi and Ward captain Men’s Soccer All-Decade team

Posted: Sep 14, 2020

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Two-time All-American Sindre Welo along with All-South Atlantic Conference selections Matheus Bachi and James Ward wear the captains' bands for the Carson-Newman men's soccer all-decade team, released Monday afternoon by the Carson-Newman Athletic Communications Office.

Throughout the 2010s, the Eagles finished in the top three of the South Atlantic Conference standings seven times, hoisting three regular season titles in 2010, 2015 and 2019. On the national stage, C-N made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament with a runner-up effort in 2013. That national finalist squad posted the most wins in a season in program history, going 16-6-1. The program's second-most wins came in 2015 with a 15-3-2 record.

The All-Decade team was selected by Carson-Newman head men's soccer coach Stephen Lyons, former head coach and All-Region player Richard Moodie, former assistant coach and All-SAC selection Kavi Luchowa, Director of Athletic Communications Adam Cavalier and Associate Director of Athletic Communications Danielle Whaley.

All 22 of the Eagles on the all-decade team account for five All-America, 17 All-Southeast Region and 28 All-SAC honors since 2010. In total, they scored 223 of the program's 361 goals within the past decade, dished out 142 assists, captured 240 saves and notched 40 shutout victories.

Welo, the three-time All-SAC and four-time All-Region pick was a hallmark for the Starting XI during his career, starting in 73 of his 77 appearances from 2012-15, good enough for second in program history in both lists. The Trondheim, Norway native still holds the C-N record for minutes played with 6,006 throughout his illustrious career. He lines up at the midfield position with Kristian Speake and Ross Frame who also suited up with him during the trek to the 2013 National Final. The trio hold a total of 54 goals between them with 35 assists for 143 points. Like Welo, Ross brought in an abundance of accolades, receiving All-SAC, two All-Region and two All-America honors in his lone season with the Eagles. He was also tabbed the conference and region Player of the Year in 2013.

Welo holds the second-most goals scored among his All-Decade counterparts, sitting just behind Tobias Solem Karlsen who found the back of the net 29 times. He leads a trio of forward who fired 65 goals. Tom Read, an All-American Honorable Mention in 2017, sent off 24 of those while Joao Pedro Dowsley had 12, including the game-winner over No. 12 Simon Fraser to send C-N to the 2013 National Championship match. Read continues to stand as one of the greatest Eagles to provide a helping hand on goals, sitting at second in program history with 31 assists.

Anchoring the backfield of the all-decade unit, Bachi and Ward tallied a combined 85 appearances in the Starting XI with 7,711 minutes on the pitch in the 2011-13 and 2014-15 seasons, respectively. A senior captain for the 2013 team, Bachi still holds the program record for most minutes in a single season with 2,129 during that year.

The pair of All-Decade captains are joined by two of the most recent defensive leaders in the 2019 SAC Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Region selection Kensho Yoshikoshi and two-time All-SAC selection Samuel Jenkins. During the 2018 season alone, they both started in each of the 17 matches C-N played.

Behind the backline is two-time All-SAC and All-Region goalkeeper Rumwald Le Guevel. The Vannes, France native was 22-11-4 in his two-year career with 9.1 shutouts. He still holds the third most wins in program history and the third-best goals against average at 1.11.

The second-team for the 2010s holds three All-Region accolades and 11 All-SAC honors. Forwards Marius Staalby and Robert Hill along with defender Rurik Pereira are the only second-team to be honored more than once in their careers with Staalby leading the way at three-straight All-SAC laurels. Hill received postseason plaudits in all four years of his C-N career with the final two coming at the start of the decade.

Two of the program's leaders in successful penalty kicks fall within the second-team list. Staalby still sits at the top of makes and attempts with four and five, respectively, from 2013-16. Midfielder Lucas Siqueira is right behind him with three penalty kicks made from 2012-15.

Holding down the net for the second team is Bram Kaarsgaren. After his debut season with the Eagles in 2019, the All-SAC first team selection holds the sixth-most wins in team history with a 9-4-3 record. He sits alongside Le Guevel on the career GAA list at 1.11, making 71 saves on the year with 4.1 shutouts.

For all the latest news and notes surrounding the men's soccer program, check back to cneagles.com and keep an eye out for @CNathletics and @CNmenssoccer on Twitter.

First Team

F – Tobias Solem Karlsen (2016-19)

F – Joao Pedro Dowsley (2011-14)

F – Tom Read (2015-17)

MF – Sindre Welo (2012-15)

MF – Ross Frame (2013)

MF – Kristian Speake (2013-14)

D – James Ward (2014-15)

D – Matheus Bachi (2011-13)

D – Kensho Yoshikoshi (2018-19)

D – Samuel Jenkins (2016-18)

GK – Rumwald Le Guevel (2012-13)