Mississippi Brilla News Release -- www.msbrillafc.org
Thursday, March 24, 2011
JACKSON, Miss. -- After completing an undefeated regular season, but coming up short in the playoffs in 2010, Mississippi Brilla Head Coach Dave Dixon knew the components were already in place to make a deep run in the USL Premier Development League playoffs in 2011.
“We came up short of our goal last season, but most of the pieces were in place to win a PDL championship,” said Dixon. “The task during the offseason was to secure a core group of returning players, while improving our lineup with a few upgrades.”
As is the case each year in the Premier Development League, Mississippi will have many new faces in 2011. However, the fifth-year soccer franchise in Jackson, Miss. will be anchored by a strong group of returning players.
“The turnover in our league is pretty substantial each year,” said President Rusty Bryant. “Bringing back 11 players from a team that won our division last year gives us a great foundation to build a championship season.”
Highlighting the list of returning players is 2010 All-Conference and All-League selection, Moses Aduny. Aduny, one of three finalists for the 2010 Player of the Year, led Mississippi in scoring with 10 goals, and was also tied for the team lead in assists with three. The forward from Kampala, Uganda recently wrapped up a successful college season at Lindsey Wilson College by tallying 10 goals and seven assists. Aduny was also an All-Conference selection.
Joining Aduny for a second season with Mississippi Brilla is fellow Ugandan, Mike Azira. Azira was also an All-Conference selection at Lindsey Wilson College in 2010. The midfielder/defender appeared in 13 games for Mississippi in 2010, contributing an assist.
“Mike is one of the most talented players to ever play for Mississippi,” said Dixon. “We are thrilled to have him back with the team this year.”
Kent, England native, Nick Rich, will be returning to Mississippi for his third season with the team. Rich, currently playing for Virginia Commonwealth University, contributed two goals and two assists during Mississippi’s 2010 season.
Forward Nathaniel Foster from Ontario, Canada will be returning for a second stint with Brilla after a breakout senior season at Montevallo. Foster netted 18 goals and added four assists for Montevallo on his way to Second Team All-American, All-Region, and All-Conference honors.
The Mississippi defense will boast a wealth of experience heading into the 2011 campaign as Richard Dixon, Thomas Shannon, Michael Brown, Carl Sheard, and Alan Hannon return to the team. Dixon (Royal Palm Beach, FL) is coming off an All-Region and All-Conference season at the University of West Florida, while Shannon (Broken Arrow, OK) will be looking to return to form following a season ending injury at the University of Memphis. Fan favorites Brown (Clinton, MS), Sheard (Derby, England), and Hannon (Offaly, Ireland) add depth and experience to Mississippi’s back line.
Memphis native and University of Memphis midfielder, JJ Greer, will also return to the team looking to add to valuable minutes that he saw in his first year with Mississippi. Rounding out the list of returning players is goalkeeper Andy Goellner (Denver, CO) from Tusculum College. Goellner was the starting goalkeeper for much of the second half of Mississippi's 2010 season.
Mississippi kicks off its 2011 season on Friday, May 13 at 7:00 pm at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. Visit www.msbrillafc.org for ticket information.