C-N Soccer Prepares for the Fall with Summer League Play

Several members of the Carson-Newman men’s and women’s soccer teams have thrived on their summer league teams.

“We always like our players,” Carson-Newman head soccer coach Richard Moodie said, “to go and play and get the experience, and then come back fresh.”

For the men, Marius Staalby (Trondheim, Norway) and Lucas Siqueira (Sao Paulo, Brazil), both of whom will be returning to C-N this fall, have spent some time this summer playing for the Knoxville Force in preparation for their upcoming season.

In 2010, the Knoxville Force entered the Southeast Division of the National Premier Soccer League, the fourth level from Major League Soccer.

“Staalby has had some top performances with the Force,” Coach Moodie said. “Siqueira has been fantastic, scored a number of goals.”

Nick Skoda (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Rurik Periera (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), C-N returning senior and junior respectively, also spent some time with the Force. Last season with the Eagles, Pereira had five assists from center back and Skoda, who battled an injury all fall, started 16 games and had three goals and two assists.

C-N fullback Duncan Foster (Naphill, High Wycomb, United Kingdom) spent his off season playing for the Myrtle Beach Mutiny.

“Foster started a lot of games this summer,” Coach Moodie said, “and has been very successful.”

Graduates of the 2013 Eagle squad Matheus Bachi (Caxias do Sul, Brazil) and Christopher Trejo (Guatemala City, Guatemala) also played this summer for the Force.

“Our graduated seniors,” Coach Moodie said, “have been fantastic this summer.”

Graduated captain Rumwald Le Guevel (Vannes, France) tended goal for Nashville FC.

“There are pros and cons of playing in the summer,” Coach Moodie said. “You risk getting burned out or hurt.”

On the women’s side, Mikayla Gregg (Newport, Tenn.) and Gabby Gianeselli (Knoxville, Tenn.) played for the Knoxville Force. “Gabby got some minutes at left wing,” Coach Moodie said. “Gregg is currently injured.”

Incoming Eagle Hannah Schoutko (Knoxville, Tenn.) has been preparing with the Knoxville Force for her first fall season with C-N.

“Schoutko, a 2014 recruit, has been training with the Force,” Coach Moodie said, “and has been doing very well.”

C-N All-American and 2011 graduate Morgan Gruenenfelder (Sweetwater, Tenn.) has continued her career at center midfield for the Lady Force since December 2011.