Youth key for MCC soccer Eagles in 04

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Aug. 21, 2004
Only two sophomores return this year for the Meridian Community College men's soccer team, and that is just fine with Eagles head coach Alex George.
The Eagles posted a 14-2-2 record in 2003, but the season ended in disappointment for the squad.
MCC came up one win short of capturing the MJCAA South Division title, and the Eagles were eliminated in the first round of the State/Region XXIII playoffs.
The Eagles will open the 2004 season with a clean slate. Seventeen of the 19 players are freshmen.
Though MCC's latest team lacks experience, there is no shortage of talent in the Eagles' soccer stable.
MCC will count on its two sophomores to help the young players adjust to the junior college level of soccer.
Traye Torrance returns to a forward spot for MCC this year. He will be a captain for the Eagles this year, and George said Torrance is one of the best players he has ever coached.
Travis Brown, also a team captain, will be counted on to provide leadership from his wing-midfield position.
The second-year player has blazing speed, he runs a 4.4 in the 40, and he is one of the strongest players on the team, benching 350 pounds.
The Eagles will also have some foreign flavor at forward.
Honduras native Alejandro Alvarado will patrol the front for MCC this year, and the import packs enough skills to wreak havoc on opposing defenses.
Northeast Lauderdale High School graduates Paul Tate and Chad Brunson will provide the link between the defense and offense at the midfield positions.
Paul Ross, who helped Pascagoula win the 5A State title, will anchor the defense as the team's sweeper. Jarred King, a Carry High School product, and Jay Crane, who graduated from Meridian High School, will man the wing back spots for MCC.
Justin Clearman will provide the last line of defense for the Eagles in goal. The challenge will be for the Eagles to gel as a team quickly in order for MCC to challenge for a division, state and regional title.
MCC's men's team will play its first game in a preseason match against Bossier-Parish at 2 p.m. Sunday on the road. The Eagles first game of the regular season will be against Itawamba Community College at 3 p.m. on Aug. 28 at home.