Men's Soccer Ready to Kickoff 2021 Season

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - With the first game day of the 2021-2022 season quickly approaching, there are several reasons that the Coker University men's soccer team is hungry for success and ready to kick off this season.

Head coach Michael Antoniewicz enters his third season behind the reigns of the Coker men's soccer team. 

The Cobras are coming off a disappointing 2020 CoVID season and are ready to make waves in the South Atlantic Conference as well as Division II after being selected 10th in the SAC Preseason Coaches Poll. 

"We have learned a lot about what went right and what went wrong these last couple of years and we are all on the same page in regards to getting things right this year," said Antoniewicz. "This is one of the best conferences in the country at the Division II level and I want us to earn that right of being one of the top teams in this conference and I have full belief in this group that we can do that."

Coker has a good mix of seasoned upperclassmen and eager newcomers, with 17 seniors and over 20 newcomers on this year's roster, adding needed depth in the lineup. The Cobras have a solid set of returners that are key to the program's success this season. 

​​"We have some boys who have been here for my first two years that have had a successful season and a disappointing COVID season," said Antoniewicz. "We also have some boys who have just experienced a brief, disappointing COVID season and they are hungry to bring success back to this great program."

Antoniewicz will lean on his three captains Hugo Jönsson, Adam Kennedy and Gustavo Palmieri who are providing great leadership on and off the field.

 "They have started pre-season fantastically and have really helped the new players feel at home right away and set the right standards on and off the field," said Antoniewicz.

Coker returns 2019 First Team All-Conference and 2020 Preseason All-Conference selection, forward Jacques Fokam-Sandeu, who missed the entire 2020 season due to injury.

 "Jacques has come back looking really good and I expect him to be one of the top players in the league," said Anotniewicz. "We have some other returners we are very excited about that will be huge assets to our team this year such as Felix Stoeffler, Markos Touroukis, Gabin Guillou, Alex Doulos and Luca Leonini."

Antoniewicz says his newcomers have been a breath of fresh air this year and have brought a new energy to the program that was lacking last year and have already added a lot to the program both on and off the field.

 "We have a good mix of transfers and freshmen that have come in and I believe we have a lot of great talent this year," said Antoniewicz. "Most importantly, the character of these players has been great! The future is really bright for this program with these young men!"

The Coker coaching staff was able to bring in a stellar recruiting class with top transfers Colin Serredszum, Ché Richards, Joao Medeiros, and Nicholas Magri. 

"They all bring great experience and all have come from top levels where they have played and have been very successful," said Antoniewicz. "We have some young freshmen, who have hit the ground running and we expect big first years from them such as Matty Tricker, Jasper Rump, Mitchel Starrs, Lukas Berntsson and Bastiaan Jager. We are really happy with this recruiting class."

The coaching staff has been really pleased with how their team has progressed throughout the preseason. 

"We have really tested them a lot physically and mentally. We have had numerous players say this is the hardest pre-season that they have ever done but that has not stopped our guys from shying away from any challenge. They have been giving their all in every session and our fitness levels are in a very good place right now," said Antoniewicz. 

The Cobras have fully embraced the team motto this year. 'Leave your ego at the door! One team. One Vision. One Goal. Together.' Antoniewicz gives huge credit to this to his leaders who have done a phenomenal job of promoting the team culture and motto already and is pleased how everyone else has already fully bought into it. 

"They have been giving their all in every session and our fitness levels are in a very good place right now," said Antoniewicz. "There is a real togetherness with this group that has been growing and growing every day and that's what truly excites me for the season."

Antoniewicz has been impressed with his team's performance in their two exhibition matches, with good showings against Emmanuel (Ga.) and USC Aiken. 

"We played against two very competitive programs with Emmanuel and USC Aiken," said Antoniewicz. "We played some really good soccer and were in control for the majority of both games. We scored quite a few goals and solid defensive performances too. I made a few challenges to the guys during the games and they delivered." 

Coker kicks off their 2021 regular season campaign at home on Thursday, Sep 2, 2021 against Chowan University. 

"Myself and the rest of the team are really excited to get the season officially underway!" said Antoniewicz. "We play a really strong program in Chowan, who has been great the last few years! Coach Whalley has done a brilliant job and we are going to have to be at our best on Thursday to get a positive result. I believe in this team and this program that we can start the season on the right track."

For the latest Coker Men's Soccer news head over to www.cokerboras.com .