Koala Men’s Soccer Gears Up for Year Two

Columbia, S.C. -- The Columbia College men's soccer program will open the second year of the program, Wednesday, Aug. 23, when they host Johnson & Wales University. The non-conference match is 2 p.m. at Columbia College's Younts Stadium.

Head coach Jon Sandy will lead a contingency of half returnees and half newcomers. The Koalas returns 13 and adds 14 newcomers for the 2022 season.

"We have a strong core returning from last year and an exciting new class of freshmen and incoming transfers who will help us raise our level on and off the field this year," said Sandy. "We have had a high level of training this preseason and are excited to see how that translates onto the field in a competitive environment."

In its Inaugural season, Columbia College finished 2-13 overall and 1-12 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). The Koalas defeated Toccoa Falls 1-0 to pick up the first win of the program and its first AAC win of the program against Kentucky Christian 2-1.

Columbia College has the good fortune of returning its top four scorers led by Breon Riley (Jr., Forward), who finished 2021 with eight total points off all goals (4). The Koalas had two players to finish with six points as Ratesh Leach (Jr., Midfielder) had three goals and Koyé Gnamien had two goals and two assists.

"We're looking to take steps forward as a program and build on the foundation we laid last year," Sandy said.

After Wednesday's contest, the Koalas will have seven days off before returning to action on Thursday, Sept. 1, when they host Trinity Baptist in a 7 pm non-conference contest. The Koalas will host Toccoa Falls on Wednesday, Sept. 7, before opening AAC play on the road September 14 at Kentucky Christian.