JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The second part of the Carson-Newman men's soccer position previews features the midfield and senior Lucas Siqueira (Sao Paulo, Brazil).
Five seniors, a junior, three sophomores and two freshmen make up the Eagles that will roam freely from box to box.
Siqueira joins Sindre Welo (Trondheim, Norway), Stuart Oliver (Beverly, England) and Rurik Pereira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) as four returning seniors readying for their last campaign on Mossy Creek. University of Charleston transfer Jules Gabbiadini (York, England)
Siqueira is the team's leading returning goal scorer as the Brazilian netted five goals during 2014 campaign; three of his goals came from the penalty spot, which is second in school history for penalty kicks scored in a season. Siqueira has eight career goals in the Orange and Blue. Welo has the most career goals on the team as the Swede has notched 19 goals during his first three seasons. He appeared in all 18 games last season and was in the Starting XI 15 times.
"All the seniors in the midfield are going to be able to bring a lot of experience and then this will help the guys be more calm in situations where we are down a goal or two," Siqueira said.
Oliver's first season at Carson-Newman featured a goal on the road at Queens (N.C.) and he accumulated four shots on goal. Pereira is transitioning from the defense into the midfield after garnering Honorable Mention All-South Atlantic Conference mentions in 2014. The Brazilian tallied four goals and two assists last season, including a world-class bicycle kick at Wingate in September. Gabbiadini transferred to Carson-Newman after spending the last three seasons at the University of Charleston (W.Va.) where he was named to the 2014 NCAA Division II All-Tournament team after the Golden Eagles fell in the National Title game to Lynn. The Englishman tallied 16 career goals in the Mountain State.
"I think what is good about Rurik coming in from the defense to the midfield is experience; we got someone who is talkative, someone who can organize the midfield and everyone already knows him so they trust him," Siqueira said. And Jules is a great addition to the puzzle because he's calm, he also has some good maturation in the game and off the field as well, so people are trusting him."
The lone junior in the midfield will be another player making a transition from the back line as Jalen Goddard (Chattanooga, Tenn.) is now a full-time midfielder. The East Hamilton High School product appeared in five games as a sophomore and recorded an assist. He will play on the outside as he has down during his first two years.
"I think because they did play in the midfield when they were younger and then they transitioned to the defense and now they are transitioning back, that makes them more complete, actually," Siqueria said. "They have more knowledge about different positions, so they know more about positioning themselves well in the field. They don't need to be looking for orientations. They already know where to be and where to go, when to pressure and everything. That makes them to understand a lot more."
Three sophomores are scattered throughout the midfield with the returns of Tanner Heath (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Johann Pereira (Rio de Janerio, Brazil) and Curtis Walker (Christian Sted, Virgin Islands). Heath spent time in the midfield and as a defender during his freshman campaign. He scored his first career goal in his first collegiate game on the road at Tampa and tallied three assists. He made 16 appearances last season and plays on the outside. Pereria appeared in 16 games last year and recorded an assist against Queens (N.C.); he plays in the middle and helps patrol the park. Walker did not play in 2014 but during the offseason, he spent time with the U.S. Virgin Islands National Team and dressed for the country's World Cup qualifiers against Barbados.
The two freshmen midfielders are Travis Whitt (Waxhaw, N.C.) and Ellis Messham (Liverpool, United Kingdom). Whitt amassed five goals in high school and was named All-Region as a senior. Messham was All Saints High School's leading scorer as a sophomore and junior.
"I think they are really exciting. They are really taking it seriously and that's great. I think the posture they come to practice with everyday is great. They are really trying to showcase everything we have talked to them about," Siqueria said. "They are trying to learn; they are trying to absorb everything. And I think if they keep this mentality and this posture, they are going to have great years ahead of them."
The last part of the position previews will be released next week and will look at the forwards with junior Marius Staalby (Trondheim, Norway).
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