Bulldogs place 4 on All-Region Team

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast led all teams with four players named to the All-NJCAA Region 23 Team, announced this week.

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 team. It's the second year McWillie won a spot on the First Team.

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

All-Region players are eligible for NJCAA All-American awards.

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.

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