Sandburg Men’s Soccer Set to Start 1st Season Under Ruvalcaba

 

The Carl Sandburg College men’s soccer team kicks off a new era in its season opener at 2 p.m. Sunday at Kleine Field against Iowa Central.

 

The Chargers are in their first year under head coach Gerardo Ruvalcaba, who spent last season on the sidelines as an assistant. Sandburg finished 5-7-1 overall a year ago. Sunday’s match is the first of 11 home contests on the Chargers’ schedule this fall.

 

NOTABLE RETURNERS

Felipe Da Silva, sophomore D 

• Voted All-Region 4 as a freshman last season.
• Selected as a co-captain for 2023.
• Ruvalcaba: “He is one to look out for because of his leadership abilities as well as being a role model for all of our new players.”

Sebastien Bornelus, sophomore D

• Appeared in eight games, including five starts down the stretch, last season.
• Ruvalcaba: “As soon as he got his opportunity last year, he made sure to get noticed. That shows strong character on his part.”

Brais Gonzalez, sophomore D

• Like Bornelus, Gonzalez also saw his playing time pick up near the end of his freshman season, making eight appearances, including five starts.
• Selected as a co-captain for 2023.

 

KEY NEWCOMERS

Lorenzo Schons, freshman RW

• Ruvalcaba: “He is a very fast and intelligent player. He has come with a motivation like I’ve never seen before.”

Felipe Endo Dos Santos, freshman D

• Ruvalcaba: “A very athletic and technical player. He will be turning heads once seen on the pitch.”

Matt Roach, freshman F

• Galesburg High School graduate was a second-team All-Western Big 6 Conference selection as a senior.
• Ruvalcaba: “Matt is a very fast and powerful striker. It’s always nice to see local players follow their dreams.”

 

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS TEAM THIS SEASON?

Ruvalcaba: “My expectations for this team are to be united and well prepared to face the challenges that will come this season.”

 

GAMES TO WATCH

• 2 p.m. Aug. 20 vs. Iowa Central
• 2 p.m. Sept. 30 vs. No. 1 Morton
• 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at defending national champion and No. 3 Prairie State

 

FAMILIAR FACE ON COACHING STAFF

Former Charger Rodrigo Zamora is serving as an assistant to Ruvalcaba. Zamora was a goalkeeper for the Chargers in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

 

THIS WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF …

Ruvalcaba: “This will be a successful season if we are able to respect one another and keep working hard. We will need every player to bring their best attributes and build that chemistry.”