Men's Soccer

After a slow start to the season the Falcons (3-7-1) are starting to find the back of the net. A 4-0 win over Prairie State has East Central back in the win column with hopes of staying in the win column throughout the end of the year. Goals from Jason Heywood, Robens Decius, Ciaran Taaffe and Nickardo Blake helped pace the team to victory. The game was delayed due to the weather, but the delay didn’t stop the Falcons from breaking out of their scoring slump and putting up their highest scoring total of the season.

Tyler PhongsavathEast Central (1-1) notched their first win of the season for new head coach Bobby Peters with 1-0 win over Oakton Community College from Chicago, IL. A Falcon victory was sparked by strong defensive play by Nickardo Blake, Tim Findall and Chris Unnerstall in the backfield. Tyler Phongsavath recorded his first college shutout of the young season. Despite numerous chances on goal, the Falcons were only able to manage a lone goal by Robens Decius, last season’s leading goal scorer.

Nickardo BlakeFalcons’ Soccer Team freshman central defender, Nickardo Blake, was honored in the post season by being named NJCAA Men’s Soccer Second Team All-American. Nickardo was a big part of the team’s success defensively as the team posted a school record twelve shutouts. He was also selected to the NJCAA Region XVI First Team and the Midwest Community College Athletic Conference First Team.

Lionel BrownThe Falcons finished the season with a 17-5-1 record and were rewarded with post season honors for a wide array of players. Coach Benji Grimes was named MCCAC Coach of the Year for 2008. Nickardo Blake received the highest honors being named 1st Team All-Region XVI and 1st Team All-Conference as well as being a candidate for NJCAA All-American. Lionel Brown, who recorded a school record 12 shutouts this season, was a 1st Team All-Region and 2nd Team All-Conference selection.

2008 MCCAC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS2008 MCCAC CHAMPIONSThe last game of the regular season for the Falcons proved to be a rewarding one as East Central College beat Forest Park 2-0 to claim the 2008 Midwest Community College Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championship. The Falcons finished the regular season 15-4-1 and 4-1 in the conference.

Nazin MichelThe Falcons, 11-4-1, won their last Region XVI game of the season over Forest Park 3-0. Nazin Michel, Pablo Rosales and Reggie Faucher scored for the Falcons as they cruised to victory. Pablo Rosales netted a great goal assisted by Tim Findall as the team strung together six passes in front of the Highlander net. Coach Grimes,"this was the best goal we scored as a team all year.

Pablo RosalesThe Falcons, 10-2-1, used a strong defensive performance to beat Crowder 1-0 at home on Friday, September 26. Lionel Brown only had to make two saves in goal as the defense held tight in the back. Nickardo Blake, Luis Percovich, Aaron Benttrinder, Spencer Hunter, and Jordan Tod all combined to hold out the Ghostriders. Pablo Rosales had the lone goal of the match as he scored on a free kick from the edge of the penalty box.

The NJCAA #17 ranked East Central College Falcons improved to 9-2-1 by dominating Florissant Valley 7-0. The goal scoring came from a variety of players as Robens Decius lead the pack with three goals. Lionel Brown, Aaron Bent-Trinder, Tim Findall and Nazin Michel added the other four to pace the Falcons to victory. Brandon Allen and Lionel Brown shared the shutout in goal for ECC. The Falcons are the leaders in the MCCAC standings with a 4-0 record.ROBENS DECIUS

Warren ReidThe NJCAA #17 Falcons knocked off #7 Meramec 1-0 in a tightly contested battle in St. Louis. East Central added a second victory against a top ten team this season to go along with the Jefferson win a week earlier. Coach Grimes stated,"the game was close and we played well defensively the entire game." Warren Reid received a pass from Victor Del Monego and beat two defenders along the left side of the field to finish the lone goal of the contest with sixteen minutes remaining in regulation time.

Victor Del MonegoThe Falcons, now 6-1-1, had a successful trip to Kansas City facing to Region XVI opponents: Blue River and Maplewoods. East Central downed Blue River 3-1 with goals by Victor Del Monego, Pablo Rosales and Nazin Michel. The second game of the trip ended in a 1-1 overtime tie with Maplewoods. Coach Grimes stated, "I was pleased with the overall play, but we need to work on increasing attack play to create better opportunities."