JACKSON, Miss. - The 2017 edition of the Centenary Gents soccer team begins the season Friday afternoon, September 1, when it takes on Belhaven on the campus of Millsaps. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Unlike the Ladies team, the Gents return virtually everyone from a seven-win team last season, including the promotion from interim to head coach for Kyle Symczak. In fact, Centenary returns 87.5 percent of goals scored (14-of-16) and 83.3 percent of assists (10-of-12) - including Shreveport-native and junior Nick Hammond, who led the team and finished 10th in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference with five goals.
The Gents also return junior Seth Fountain and sophomore Nic Douthit, who each led the team with two assists last season.
However, the Maroon and White look to replace four-year starter in goal, Rylan Whan. Whan finished his career with a school-record 404 saves. He finished in the top-50 in the nation in saves per game each of the last three seasons, including 19th in 2015 with 7.67 saves per game.
In goal, the Gents will have the services of senior Kaleb Behm, sophomore Lamarr Meza, and freshman Alec Melvin. Meza played two seasons in goal his freshman campaign, recording a complete-game shutout in a 1-0 win against Hendrix October 25. Behm went 1-3 in the 2015 season, making eight appearances, four starts, and played nearly 500 minutes between the pipes.
Melvin is playing for the Gents after a high school career at local Captain Shreve High School. The Maroon and White also added Gin Pau, who is Airline High School's all-time leading goal scorer.
More about the eight newcomers
Centenary, who is picked to finish eighth in the SCAC, is slated to begin the season against Belhaven. Centenary is 4-0 all-time against the Blazers, including a 2-1 last season in Jackson, Mississippi. The Gents finish the weekend Sunday, September 3, against the University of the Ozarks at 2 p.m. The Gents are 1-0 all-time against the Eagles, winning 1-0 on the road to close out the 2011 season.
Centenary will open up home and SCAC play next Friday when it hosts Austin College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
