2021 Centenary Men's Soccer Season Preview
A hungry and determined group of Gents will take the field for their season opener on Saturday night as the 2021 Centenary men's soccer season finally gets underway as the Maroon and White welcome the LeTourneau YellowJackets to Mayo Field for a non-conference match set for 7 p.m.
The Gents showed flashes of brilliance in 2019 and enjoyed a great deal of success, but it is no secret that last season did not end the way they wanted, as Centenary dropped its final three matches of the season and six of its final eight after starting off the campaign 6-2.
Kyle Symczak enters his fourth season as head coach of the Gents and presides over a deep and talented rosters ready to make noise in the Southern Collegiate Conference this season. Symczak guided the Gents to an even 8-8 overall record last season and a 3-6 mark in SCAC play. Centenary posted an impressive five shutouts last season and went 7-3 at home. This season's roster features six seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores, and seven talented freshmen.
The Gents won the second-most games in a single season in the division III era and finished eighth in the SCAC standings, just missing a conference tournament berth. Centenary handed regular-season champion Colorado College its only loss in SCAC play last season as the Gents blanked the Tigers, 2-0, at Mayo Field on Oct. 6.
"I am thrilled the NCAA and the SCAC have found a way for us to compete this spring," said Symczak. These student-athletes have been through a lot and my hat goes off to how well players across the country have handled these difficult times. Our team here at Centenary have been working hard, staying motivated, and are excited for the opportunity to compete this season. I know this is the case for programs across the country and I am looking forward to our home opener against LeTourneau on Saturday."
Junior goalkeeper Sami Borchalli (Lafayette, La.) returns to anchor the Gents' defense. Borchalli earned Honorable Mention all-conference honors last season. He played in 14 games with 13 starts, totaling 1272:06 of total playing time and collected 94 saves, the seventh-best total in a single season in the division III era. Borchalli posted a 1.63 goals against average, the second-best GAA in a single season in the division III era and also recorded four shutouts, second-most in a single season in the division III era and tied for first in the SCAC. His goals against average ranked eighth in the SCAC, he ranked second in the conference in save percentage of .803 and saves. He also led the SCAC in saves per game (6.71).
Sophomore midfielder Andres Bautista (Houston, Texas) is another key returner for the Gents after posting an impressive stat line in his freshman season with six goals and three assists for a total of 15 points. He played in all 16 games with 14 starts and his six goals were second-most on the team and his three assists also ranked second on the squad.
Junior Diego Hernandez (Carrollton, Texas) is also back after he started 14 games and served as a lockdown defender all season. Hernandez was named the SCAC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 30, 2019 after he led a Gents back line that posted three shutouts in SCAC play at home from late September to early October. He played a staggering 250 of the 270 minutes in the three wins over Hendrix, Austin College, and the University of Dallas. Senior midfielder Greg Petreas (Denton, Texas) returns after he collected a team-best four assists last season.
The Gents will play one more non-conference match before starting SCAC play in late February. Centenary faces ETBU on the road on Feb. 5 and then open their conference schedule on Feb. 20 at home versus Trinity.
That match will be the first of three consecutive home matches in conference play for the Maroon and White as the Gents then face Dallas at Mayo Field on March 6 followed by Austin College on March 13. Centenary then hits the road for three matches in a row beginning with a contest at St. Thomas on March 20 followed by matches at Colorado College (March 27) and Southwestern on April 3.
The Gents face Schreiner on April 10 for Senior Day in their home finale and then finish the regular season at Texas Lutheran on April 17. Centenary then will serve as host for the 2021 SCAC Men's Soccer Championship on April 23 and 25 at Mayo Field.
A link to the Gents' complete schedule can be found here: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/msoc/2020-21/schedule
Live stats and live video are available for all home matches.
#GoCentenary #CTheOpportunity
