Posted: Nov 04, 2015

MEN'S SOCCER PLACES SIX ON ALL-REGION X CONFERENCE TEAM

PETERSBURG, Va., (Nov. 4, 2015) – Following the finest season in school history, the Richard Bland College men's soccer team was honored with six players honored as All-Region X Conference performers. The Statesmen were recognized with one First-Team, three Second Team and two Honorable Mention selections.

Sophomore forward Eduardo Quintanilla (San Salvador, El Salvador/Stonewall Jackson), was named to the Region X First Team. Second Team honorees included sophomore forward Godfred Baisel (Cape Coast, Ghana/Patriot), Adam Belkorchi (Manassas, VA/Osbourn Park) and sophomore center Larry Sawyer (Freedom, Sierra Leone/Freedom). Freshman forward Sukrija Dudic (Srebrenica, Bosnia Hercegovina/Hermitage) and freshman winger Lorenzo Romero (New York, NY/Stonewall Jackson), were named Honorable Mention.

The adept and savvy Quintanilla had five goals and three assists on the season, tallying two goals in a 6-2 victory over Spartanburg Methodist on Aug. 31. "Eduardo is our top player, very good on the field and in the classroom," said head coach Eduardo de Souza. "We're going to miss him big time next season."

The speedy and fluid Baisel finished second on the team in scoring (12), points (28) and shots (53). With 31 goals in two seasons, he finished his career as Richard Bland's all-time leading scorer. His most impressive outing came when he tallied three goals against NAIA Bluefield College on Aug. 26. He had a pair of goals against USC Salkenhatchie on Sept. 13 and a single tally in seven other games. He also had a team-best four assists on the season. "Godfred is our all-time leading scorer in goals and is also very strong in the classroom," said de Souza. "He's an example of what a student-athlete should be."

Belkorchi, this year's captain, anchored a solid Statesmen defense. "His leadership was the key for this program, that's why he was our captain," de Souza said. "On and off the field he's a tremendous example for all student-athletes."

Sawyer earned three assists on the season and was a constant presence on the field. "Larry is an example of persistency and has very good skills on the field," said de Souza. "He definitely will move to a four-year institution next season."

Dudic led Richard Bland in goals (14), points (29) and shots (68). He had a string of games from Sept. 2 against Wake Technical to Sept. 24 against Patrick Henry, where he tallied eight goals, getting two against Wake, two versus Spartanburg Methodist (Sept. 19) and two against Patrick Henry (Sept. 24). During that five game stretch, the Statesmen went 4-0-1. "He is the top scorer for our team this year," said de Souza. "He has great character and we're excepting a lot from him his sophomore year."

Romero tied Baisel for the team lead in assists with four in his first season. "He did well as a freshman as a midfielder," said de Souza. "He has a lot more to come for us next season."

The Statesmen posted a 10-8-2, 7-5-2 record, the best since the program began in the 2013 season. Richard Bland earned the No. 4 seed in the Region X Championships, where the Statesmen defeated No. 5 Cape Fear 4-0 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Richard Bland met No. 1 nationally-ranked Louisburg, who earned a 4-1 victory en route to winning the Region X Championship.