Men's Soccer

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.

Nickardo BlakeThe 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."

Reginald FaucherThe Falcons are flying high after a 2-0 victory over the NJCAA #7 ranked Jefferson College Vikings. The first half ended in a scoreless tie with Lionel Brown making two big saves to preserve the shutout. The East Central defense kept the Vikings out of the net in the second half as well. The Falcons got a couple of looks at the net in the second half and Reginald Faucher struck with a bending shot from 25 yards out to elevate the Falcons to a 1-0 lead with 18:00 minutes left in the game.

As the weather got hot this weekend, so did the East Central College Falcons. The Falcons finished second in the Missouri Junior College Tournament only on points as they recorded three victories. East Central topped Oakton 2-1, Iowa Central 4-0 and Allen County 3-1. Robens Decius ended the weekend with four goals in only three games. Ade Ellis had the goal of the tournament as he hit a laser shot from 35 yards out against Iowa Central. Tyler Houck, Nazin Michel and Ivan Velez tallied the other goals in the victories. Coach Grimes, "I was pleased with our play for most of the tournament.