Experience is a key tool when it comes to highly competitive sports. The 2020 High Point Men’s soccer team is a perfect example of that tool. With a mixture of old and new faces, Head Coach O’Keeffe looks at the experienced players to be a resource for the younger players.
“We expect the older guys to groom, build, and educate the younger guys,” O’Keeffe said.
The Panther’s welcome back numerous starters such as sophomore midfielder Ebe Kudolo. Kudolo, a Ghana native, is a player any team would love to have on their roster. As a freshman, he took the conference by storm in the 2020 season by tying conference high with eight assists. Kudolo was named Big South All Freshman Team as well as Big South First Team All-Conference Team.
“Ebe will be the maestro of the midfield and be expected to lead,” O’Keeffe said.
There is not a vast change in experience in defensemen either. This year’s defense will consist of a mixture of new and old faces. Senior Austin Yearwood was Co-Defensive player of the year and he will be back on the field ready to compete as the Panther’s starting left back. Eyes are on Yearwood this year because he has a has a possibility of extending his career after this year by playing professional soccer. Goal keeper Kody Palmer, a red shirt senior, has won the starting job as the goal keeper. He will lead the defense this season and be the voice from the back.
The question of the season is, what about the Panther’s forward? The famous number nine, Mamadee Nyepon will no longer be in a Panther jersey but the three time Big South All-Conference player left a legacy for other forwards to follow.
“You cannot just replace Mamadee with one player but a group of guys that fill his shoes,” O’Keeffe said. O’Keeffe is confident that the void of losing Mamadee can be fixed by collectively focusing on a combination play and finishing.
Coach O’Keeffe was recently named head coach but is very familiar with HPU as he has been part of the program since 2010. O’Keefe has obvious passion and love for the game of soccer.
“Here at High point we are going to compete for a championshipm” O’Keefe said. High Point is happy to have him serve his role as head coach and lead the 2020 High Point Panther’s to a national championship.
Categories: Sports
