Depth, Versatility Give Men's Soccer Midfield Flexibility

Midfield is the deepest position on the 2022 Georgia Gwinnett College men’s soccer team with 12 different options and seven returning players preparing to control the ball in the middle of the pitch during the upcoming fall season.

This key position also has three collegiate transfers and two freshmen newcomers.

That depth, experience and versatility should be valuable assets as the Grizzlies strive to again contend among the NAIA’s top teams. A key component of the midfield is how the unit’s wingbacks will assist GGC’s offensive attack while also benefitting the defense in limiting opposing scoring opportunities. 

The Grizzlies will begin striving to meet those expectations August 24 with a match at Reinhardt University (Georgia). The team’s home opener is scheduled for August 30 against Milligan University (Tennessee) from the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The most experienced players in the middle of the pitch are senior two-year team captain Juan Cruz Parisi Sitjar and junior Marco Panaccione. They combined for two goals and three assists last season. Parisi Sitjar started 13 matches a year ago and is preparing for his fourth season with the Grizzlies. Panaccione had 12 starts in 2021.

A defensive-minded midfielder is junior Khaled Qasum, who appeared in 14 matches last fall – his first at GGC. Classmate Aaron Hafner overcame an offseason injury in the 2021 season to emerge as a key midfield piece for the team.

“Khaled is a leader of the midfield group while Aaron showcased his skills in October and November last season. He scored a beautiful goal at William Carey. We’re looking for him to continue that upward progression this year,” said DeCou.

Meanwhile, junior Diego Milessi brings an attacking presence to the Grizzlies’ midfield. He scored two goals and assisted on two other tallies while starting 13 of 16 matches last fall. This came after Milessi had two goals and two assists in the amended spring 2021 campaign, when GGC enjoyed a 10-2-2 record. Classmate Milton Alfaro is another experienced midfielder preparing for his fourth season in Lawrenceville.

Talented college transfers are juniors Odin Solheim and Aleksandar Rajkovic along with sophomore Nico Del Pilato. Solheim earned all-conference honors in helping Milligan earn top-10 NAIA honors last season. He also scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat GGC in the 2021 NAIA Opening Round. Rajkovic was a first-team all-region and all-conference player for Ancilla College (Indiana). Del Pilato is familiar with facing quality NAIA competition after playing at Middle Georgia State University, a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference.

“Odin (Solheim) brings experience and national tournament-level quality play to the midfield while Nico (Del Pilato) will have no issues meeting the challenges of our high-quality opponents,” DeCou said.

Sophomore Jay Santos made four appearances in his first collegiate season and adds depth to the midfield’s wingback position. Freshmen Alan Cruz and Patrick Gawliczek Rodriguez could assist in the team’s offensive attack in their first collegiate seasons.