7 Bulldogs named to All-MACCC team

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast led all teams with seven players selected for the All-MACCC men's soccer team announced by the conference today, including four on the First Team.

Keeper David Ruiz Ospina (Fr., Manizales, Colombia/Gimnasio del Pacifico), forward Kade Smith (Fr., London, England/Whitmore), midfielder Guy Mizrachi (Fr., Haifa, Israel/Ironi Nesher) and defender Zach McWillie (So., Jackson/Murrah) earned spots on that top team. It's the second year McWillie won a spot on the First Team.

Forward Victor Moerck (Fr., Vaerloese, Denmark/Lyngby Handelsgymnasium) won Second-Team honors, with midfielder Nygel Jobe (Fr., Brandon/Brandon) and defender Mark Wilson (Fr., Ridgeland/St. Andrews) on the honorable mention list. 

The Bulldogs won the MACCC championship for the second time in three seasons, losing only once on conference play.

FIRST TEAM

Keeper David Ruiz Ospina

The freshman from Manizales, Colombia, finished third in NJCAA Division II with seven shutouts. He finished his first campaign with a 13-3-2 record and a 1.10 goals-against average. Ruiz Ospina was as proficient with the ball at his feet as making saves, a precise passer who was vital in helping the Bulldogs build from the back.

Forward Kade Smith

The freshman from London, England, finished third in the conference with 15 goals. He also added four assists. Smith scored two goals in four straight MACCC games from Sept. 26-Oct. 6, and his blazing speed stressed opponent defenses all season long.

Defender Zach McWillie

The sophomore from Jackson helped Gulf Coast finish with the third-lowest goals-against average in the MACCC. He was also a dangerous part of the Bulldogs' set-piece game, scoring two goals and assisting on two others.

Midfielder Guy Mizrachi

A redshirt freshman from Haifa, Israel, was a key part of the Gulf Coast defense from his deep-lying role, who also linked play from the backline through midfield. He had three goals and five assists and took many of the Bulldogs' set pieces.

SECOND TEAM

Forward Victor Moerck

The freshman from Vaerloese, Denmark, finished second in the MACCC with 17 goals. He added six assists and registered a hat trick against East Mississippi. 

HONORABLE MENTION

Midfielder Nygel Jobe

The freshman from Brandon had two goals and five assists, playing mainly in midfield. He occasionally filled in at outside back, with his skill putting pressure on the opposition flank.

Defender Mark Wilson

The freshman from Ridgeland was a versatile defender who started the season as an outside back but spent substantial time in central defense.

For more information on MGCCC's 11 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.