Written by: Danny Talbert
Following the monumental 2022 season the LaGrange College Panthers men's soccer team kicks off the season at Panther Field this Sunday, Aug. 20, at 3 p.m. During last year's Collegiate Conference of the South championship run, the Panthers went 11-5-2, which crowned them the regular season CCS Champions.
Coach Dickson looks to build off last season's success with the handful of returning All-CCS players. Forward Enrique Hernandez returns this year for his final season as a Panther. In 2022, Hernandez was named the CCS Offense Player of the Year and was selected First Team All-Conference. He was also selected to the United Soccer Coaches All Region VI team. When asked about what it means to have Hernandez back for his final season, Dickson said, "He sets the bar high for himself. He led the country in goals at one point last year and he is going to try to replicate that success again. Him coming back is invaluable. He is the best player in the conference and one of the best players in the nation."
Another All-CCS player returning to make a championship run is midfielder Mathew Webb. During his freshman season, Webb appeared in 18 games with 16 starts, and accounted for five assists. Webb was named Second Team All-CCS. Along with Webb returning at the midfield position is center back senior Nicholas Smiech. Smiech scored two goals and had two assists during the 2022 campaign, and also made the Second Team All-CCS. He returns in the 2023 season as a captain. Another returner who was selected to the Second Team All-CCS is junior goalkeeper Andrew Cole. In 2022, Cole started in 15 games and posted a superb .795 save percentage. Not only does the team return a handful of All-Conference players, but also key members who have helped contribute to the success of the team. On the defensive side of the field, returns senior Satchel Hart. During his time as a Panther, Hart has started in 35 games. Another forward who had a great season in 2022 is sophomore Lucas Duke. During his freshman season, Duke played in 18 games in which he scored eight goals, two of which were game winners. These are just a few of the returning key players who look to contribute to another championship run.
In regard to all the returners, Coach Dickson said, "We returned 22 players and brought in three very talented freshmen in, so it is a very similar team. Andrew (cole) had a very good season last year but we brought back all three goalkeepers, so he knows he has to keep performing. Matt (Webb) was a freshman last year, so going into his sophomore year we are expecting him to have more goals and assists and I think he is going to have a fantastic season. Nick (Smiech) should have another great year going into his senior year, especially as a captain."
With the upcoming scrimmages, Coach Dickson said that it is very helpful to see where the team is at in terms of what they did in the offseason and how he can put together the best unit for the regular season. He also said that Truett McConnell has a very tough team full of older players and international talent so that it should be a good opportunity for his team to play against a competitive program.
The LaGrange College men's soccer team kicks off the 2023 season with a scrimmage against Truett McConnell at 3 p.m. at Panther Field. The exhibition follows the women's soccer team's scrimmage against Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College at 11 a.m. also at Panther Field.
