Returning All-Conference Defender Seeking Another Strong Men’s Soccer Fall Campaign

This year’s Georgia Gwinnett College men’s soccer team returns an all-conference performer who started 12 matches during the freshman season to anchor the defensive unit in 2025. GGC’s defensive unit returns a combined 31 starts from an 11-win 2024 campaign that featured a second-round appearance in the NAIA national tournament.

Preparing for the upcoming fall season, GGCAthletics.com examines the players who will be leading an athletic backline on this year’s team when the campaign starts on August 21 against Campbellsville University (Kentucky) at the Dalton Classic in Dalton, Georgia. The home opener comes August 28 against Lawrence Tech (Michigan) in the Grizzly Labor Day Classic at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Amadou Diop was honored by the Continental Athletic Conference for his strong play last fall. He also earned Player of the Week accolades during the season.

Diop emerged as a defensive force in the center of the pitch as the 2024 season progressed. The 6-foot-4 sophomore scored three goals and registered four points across 17 matches, with 12 starting assignments. The first-team all-conference performer started GGC’s last nine matches, when the team posted six victories and one tie.

“Amadou didn’t have much of a preseason with us last year, so it took him a while to get acclimated to playing for us. But as the season progressed, he became a force for us,” stated DeCou.

Senior Esteban Correa is coming off his most productive season as a Grizzly in 2024, when he appeared in 17 matches. He is a wingback option on defense while also having the ability to assist the midfield when the Grizzlies are generating offensive pressure.

Sophomore Josefa Simao started 13 matches during his initial collegiate season, scoring two goals and collecting one assist. He provided an assist in the season-opening victory against SCAD Savannah (Georgia) before scoring goals against Columbia International and Bryan College (Tennessee) in August. Simao battled injuries late in the season and has returned to assist the midfield and defensive groups as another wingback.

A pair of collegiate transfers add depth as central defenders with juniors Olu Sonubi from NCAA Division II Shippensburg University (Pennsylvania) and Errin Leak from Tyler Junior College (Texas), respectively.

Sophomore Cesar Rojas appeared in two matches for the Grizzlies last fall and adds more depth to the defensive unit.

“We’ve got depth and athleticism. I’m excited about the pieces we have on this team,” said DeCou, who also noted that except for a couple players, everyone in the GGC lineup could be six feet tall or taller, “We have become a taller team. That will allow us to be a threat on set pieces. Hopefully, that leads to a lot of clean sheets (shutouts) defensively.”