Lipscomb men’s soccer has announced a new roster for the coming season, and the eyes of the coach were focused on ability to attack offensively.
“We’ve historically been known as a team that has a really potent offense and some really dynamic attacking pieces,” said head coach Charles Morrow.
The coaches were looking for more of that attacking force with this signing class, with high hopes to improve that sting in their offense.
“In addition to filling some key positions like Ben Loche as our holding midfielder, that we lost last year, really the focus of this group was finding attacking players that could give us more of a threat in the attack and scoring goals,” said Morrow.
“We’re really happy with the group that we got and the quality they bring as players and really excited with the quality of people that we’re seeing so far,” said Morrow.
Here is more on the signing class and some of their notable achievements.
Gerik Jakubowksi is a forward from Phoenix, Arizona.
1st-Team All-Region at Sunnyslope High School. He Led TSV Allershausen in assists, second in goals for a season. Won U16 State Cup Championship with Real Salt Lake AZ and he will be joining his brother Zarek Jakubowksi, an upcoming junior, on the Bisons roster.
Austin Marfell is a winger from Warner Robins, Georgia.
He is a first-team advanced to ECNL National Championship Final and a Team MVP for Houston County High School. Marfell is a two-year team captain and won the regional championship with HCHS.
Marlon Grossman is a forward from Schwaebisch Gmueno, Germany.
Grossman made 26 appearances in the U17 and U19 Bundesligas. He was a part of the U17 Southern-German Championship, winning FC Heidenheim squad and advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal. He was the 2nd Captain for FC Heidenheim.
Luca Naumann is a central midfielder from Berlin, Germany.
Naumann won the U19 Bundesliga title and participated in the UEFA Youth League with Hertha BSC Berlin. He earned three caps for the U17 German National Team and most recently played for SV Lichtenberg 47 in the Regionalliga Nordost.
Preston Price is a central midfielder from Columbia, Tennessee.
He is the highest goal-scorer in school history with 87 goals, a 1-time All-Region & 4-time All-District. ECNL All-Conference team for Tennessee Soccer Club and received an ECNL Bahamaian National Training Camp invite.
Dane Seraphine is a center back from Nashville.
Seraphine was a 2019 State and Regional Champion with Tennessee Soccer Club, team MVP and captain in 2018 for Middle Tennessee Fire and a 2018 Disney Showcase champion with Darlington School Soccer Academy.
Javanne Smith is a forward from Nottingham, England.
He played for Chesterfield FC of the National League, the 5th Tier of the English Soccer System. Made an appearance in the FA Youth Cup competition and his Brother, Kimarni Smith, is an All-American forward at Clemson.
Tyrese Spicer is a winger from Tringity, Trinidad and Tobago.
Spicer was the Secondary School Football League Player of the Year. He scored 35 goals and notched 25 assists in 55 games. Played two matches with U15 Trinidad and Tobago and was called up to Trinidad and Tobago National Team training camp in June 2020.
Kyle Sutton is a forward from Branson, Missouri.
He holds the Branson High School career records with 78 goals and 36 assists. He was named Missouri 1st-Team All-State – 2-time All-Region and 4-time All-District. Suttons won the Germantown Invitational with Pinnacle FC.
Will Turner is a Center Back from Nashville, Tennessee.
He won TN state championship with Father Ryan, was a 2019 All-State honoree & 2-time team MVP. Played for Tennessee Soccer Club and spent August 2019-March 2020 participating in the YES Abroad program in Senegal.
“The NCAA has allowed us to start virtually and do stuff throughout the summer with these players virtually and get to know them through zoom and even better than before, we’re really excited with the quality of person that we have and people that we have and the guys that are coming in, I can’t wait to get started with them,” said Morrow.
Photo Courtesy of Riley Hoag.