Lee is second MGCCC two-time NJCAA All-American

PERKINSTON — Hyungjoon Lee is Mississippi Gulf Coast's second two-time NJCAA All-American in men's soccer, picking up his second honor Wednesday.

Lee, who came to the Bulldogs from Suwon, South Korea, finished second in the MACCC with 14 goals. He also had four assists.

"He's a special player and a special person," Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. "I've never had anyone exceed even my expectations with regards to work rate and approach. He's moved the goalposts for the whole program. To me, he pushed things to where we're going to expect even more out of our kids coming in. We see what can be done."

Lee joins current assistant coach Jordan Hall as the school's only two-time honorees.

Handy said he showed up ready for each and every practice with a smile on his face. Lee won the honor as a midfielder, but he played significant portions of the season as a forward and as a defender. Handy employed him wherever he was needed game-to-game, half-to-half and even moment-to-moment.

If he needed a problem fixed on the field, the solution was often the player everyone called Joon.

"What's so amazing about him, is whatever position he's playing, he's usually the best player on the field," Handy said. "That's pretty special."

Last year, Lee led the conference with 11 goals and added five assists to earn Third-Team honors. He helped Gulf Coast win its first MACCC title in 10 years. Their NJCAA Gulf District title earned them a first-ever trip to the NJCAA Tournament.

Lee is one of seven Gulf Coast players to have earned NJCAA All-American honors. The Bulldogs have had three players earn four spots on the Division II team since that division was formed three seasons ago. Hall was named to the First Team in 2017 and the Second Team in 2016.

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