Experienced Midfield Returns for Men’s Soccer

The most experienced unit on this year’s Georgia Gwinnett College men’s soccer team also happens to be its deepest contingent, with 13 midfielders and two wingbacks being featured across the middle of the pitch for the Grizzlies this fall.

The midfield position has one senior and a returning first all-conference team performer, along with two transfers who contributed to last year’s NAIA national championship squad at Dalton State University (Georgia).

GGCAthletics.com highlights the midfield unit as the Grizzlies prepare to kick off this season with matches at the Dalton State Classic against Campbellsville University (Kentucky) on August 21 and Brescia University (Kentucky) on August 23. The home opener comes August 28 against Lawrence Tech (Michigan) at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Midfield starting candidates include sophomore Kevin Diaz, who scored three goals – all in home matches – and started 19 matches in his collegiate debut season. He contributed to the team posting five shutouts last season.

Also, senior Ryuji Kubota matched Diaz’s seven points with three assists and two goals while starting 18 of his 20 matches in his first season in Lawrenceville. Seven of his 12 shots in 2024 were on the opposing goal.

“Kevin gives us a big physical presence who can control the ball in the middle of the pitch. Ryuji is a jack-of-all-traits player who can play an attacking role, but he’s strongest going box-to-box (down the pitch).  Kevin is more defensive,” noted DeCou.

A key component to the midfield is wingbacks who assist the team when defending but have the technical and athletic skills to supplement GGC’s offensive attack. Sophomore Josefa Simao and senior Esteban Correa are returning options to join transfers Pedro Alejandro and Pedro Nunes from Dalton State, while freshman Cheihk Samb has entered the program from Lawrenceville.

Simao started all 13 matches he appeared in last season, scoring twice and providing one assist. Correa made 17 total appearances, including six starting assignments, a year ago.

Alejandro and Nunes followed new assistant coach Tom Bentham to GGC after helping Dalton State win the NAIA title. Alejandro also competed for Puerto Rico in the under-20 age group ranks and Nunes contributed two assists in 19 matches in 2024 for the Roadrunners. 

“The wingbacks are expected to give us the full width of the pitch. It is a physically demanding position, so having quality depth there will allow us to wear teams down,” stated DeCou. “Josefa played extremely well for us in this role last year as a freshman. Then, Pedro (Alejandro) and Pedro (Nunez) played at a high level at Dalton State while Cheihk joined us for our spring practices. He brings us serious athleticism to get up and down the wing. These players also are very technical.”

Sophomores Nic Peranitsch and Djordje Djurasinovic combined to make 27 appearances for the Grizzlies last season, with Peranitsch earning six starts and having an assist. Djurasinovic attempted 11 shots, including seven on goal, across his 14 matches in 2024. Classmate Aldo Campos adds depth to the middle of the pitch after making seven appearances for the team.

Sophomore Gabriel Martins and junior Francisco Osorio are two other transfers with midfield experiences from Dalton State. Sophomore Diego Pereira recorded four assists last season for NAIA’s Life University (Georgia). Also contributing to the position’s depth and talent are newcomers in sophomore Diego Fredericks and freshmen Luka Colic, Michael Mallaburn and David Verela.

“Diego is a little pit bull who will win those 50-50 balls and create opportunities for us. Francisco has had a great summer and gives us another box-to-box player and can help with our attack. Luka and Michael will remind fans of some past Grizzly players with Michael being a little more defensive in nature,” said DeCou.

Georgia Gwinnett College men’s soccer is coming off a 11-7-2 campaign that featured a trip to the second round of the NAIA national tournament.