2025 Men's Soccer Preview

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Conway, Ark. – Kicking off a new season in a brand new complex, Central Baptist College men's soccer begins the 2025 season tomorrow with a trip to Fayette, Mo., to take on Central Methodist University. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.

            "I feel like we are more organized than we were last year," said head coach Dylan Perdue, who begins year three guiding the Mustangs. "I feel like we are fit and ready to go."

            CBC returns 16 players from last season's 5-14 squad that was eliminated in the American Midwest Conference quarterfinals by William Woods, who departed the conference in July. Leading the group of returners are Hugo Chacon, an AMC honorable mention and all-tournament team selection last year, and three-year starting goalkeeper Jasper Gadellaa, a former All-AMC selection himself. Joining them are goalkeepers Calvin Hargis and Edvin Yttergren, defenders Liam Persson and Calan Cowdery, midfielders Michael Settle, Jack McNamara, Padry Muleba and Braydon Hall, and forwards Hayes Lawrence, Billy Murray, Brycen Clause, Victor Alvarez, Eric Padron, and Darwin Juarez. "Hugo coming back after earning an all-conference selection last year is huge," said Perdue. "Jasper is back for his fourth year as a starter and he is ready to go after struggling with injuries last season."

            16 newcomers join the group of returners. Transfers Drew Cracknell, Archie Woodall, Flavio Bravo, Nigel Agboola, and Clay Glomski join Michael Rowden, Jared Nunes, Lincoln Lopez, Fabrizio Bravo Estrada, Braden Biggs, Landon Brown, Izaiah Beal, Christian Morales, Zeke Smith, Caleb Acfalle and Maxwell Kruit. "Our two guys from Northeast CC, Archie and Nigel, are quality adds to our team," added Perdue. "They both won a trophy (at Northeast) and will also bring a winning mentality."

            The schedule, which includes a preseason contest against Southwest Baptist on Saturday, has three matches against teams that went to the national tournament last season (Oklahoma City, William Carey and Williams Baptist) and seven conference matches beginning October 4. "I'm really excited about the schedule this year," added Perdue. "It's a mixture of quality opponents and physicality and some technicality. I believe having a harder non-conference schedule prepares us better for our conference."

            This will also be the first season at the new Conway Soccer Complex. "(The new facility) is brilliant," said Perdue. "It was tough to get people to come out and support last year at Burns Park. With us now being back in town, we have more of a student pull. That will be huge for us this season!"