[Men's Soccer] Fall Sports Season Preview Series: New Era Beckons for Men's Soccer Falcons in 2021

WICHITA, Kan. – Following a two-year stint as assistant coach under former head coach Joe Dincecco, Bryan Perez moves to the helm of the Friends University men's soccer program for the 2021 campaign.

Staying with Perez should give the Falcons maximum opportunity to continue the success from the past two seasons that featured a KCAC tournament title, an NAIA tournament berth and a combined overall record of 29-7-2.

"The voice is different but the message is the same," said Perez. "Joe did an amazing job with holding the team at a high standard. For me, I just need to continue to keep the guys accountable on and off the field."

Junior forward Juan Zamora (JR/LaBelle, Florida) will be at the forefront of whatever success the Falcons hope to attain this season.  From the moment Zamora stepped foot on campus for the 2019 season, he's been a game-changing player. 

The LaBelle, Fla. native was the KCAC Newcomer of the Year in 2019 and is now a two-time first-team All-KCAC performer while earning honorable-mention NAIA All-America honors last year.

Zamora scored a team-high and KCAC-leading 17 goals last season while also flashing a clutch gene by finishing tied for first in the league and eighth in the NAIA with five game-winning scores.

"Juan has a big responsibility this year to not only create scoring opportunities for us but also lead the other players," said Perez.

At goalkeeper, the Falcons welcome back All-KCAC honorable-mention selection Jasper McLeod (SR/Princes Town, Trinidad &Tobago). As a senior transfer, McLeod ranked third in the league in goals-against-average (1.10) last season and was named KCAC Defensive Player of the Week back on Mar. 16

Jesus Herrera Rivera (SR/Dodge City, Kan. ) also returns to give the Falcons a viable duo in the net.  Herrera Rivera saw action in eight matches last season and also snagged a KCAC Defensive Player of the Week honor (Mar. 2).

Sophomore forward Christian Raffinengo (SO/Wichita, Kan. ) and sophomore defender Kai Yamazaki (SO/Matsumoto, Japan) give the Falcons two more honorable-mention all-conference selections back in 2021.

Raffinengo served as a capable scoring compliment to Zamora, ranking second on the team in goals (six), game-winning goals (three) and points (14) during his freshman season.

Yamazaki was a key factor as a freshman defensively in the Falcons finishing tied for fourth in the KCAC with five shutouts last season.  Another defender returning with starter experience is Fernando Sandoval (SO/Wichita, Kan. ), who appeared in 16 matches last year with 14 starting assignments.

Junior forward Isaiah Castillo, a 2019 All-KCAC honorable-mention performer, is back with the team this season after seeing action in nine matches this past season and scoring three goals along with four assists. Senior forward Fernando Ramirez (SR/Westin, Fla. ) also returns after scoring twice in his first season with the program.

A pair of sophomore midfielders in Miles Miller (SO/Wichita, Kan. ) and Cooper Joseph (SO/Wichita, Kan. ) will look to build on their promising freshman seasons. Miller scored one goal and dished out two assists, while Joseph netted two goals last year.

"I believe Christian, Fernando (Sandoval), Cooper, Jasper, Kai and Jesus will come in as key players this year," Perez said. "I also believe we have a great group of newcomers. The one we are expecting to make an immediate impact is a sophomore midfielder and Neosho County CC transfer Guilherme Oliveira (SO/Sao Paulo, Brazil)."

The Falcons kick off the 2021 season with a matchup at cross-street rival Newman University tomorrow night (Aug. 25) at 7:30 pm, with the home opener slated for Aug. 28 vs. Briar Cliff University at Adair-Austin Stadium.  

The KCAC opener is set for Sept. 18 at home vs. the University of Saint Mary.

"We have a tough schedule this year with a pair of top 25 teams in the country," Perez said. "I think this is a great opportunity for us to compete at a high level and get us prepared for conference action."