Richard Bland Sending Six Men's Soccer Student-Athletes Onward

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- The Richard Bland College men's soccer program is sending six former Statesmen onward to four-year schools as transfer student-athletes this fall.  They include Rodrigo Carvalho Lisbon, Portugal to Knox (Ill.) College, Bryce Deitrich/Farmville to Liberty University, Tulio Graciano/Cacapava, Brazil to Shaw (N.C.) University, Sebastian Hendi/Alexandria and Sahir Jovel/Intipica, El Salvador to Marymount University, along with Denzel Speed/Williamsburg to Longwood University.

"We are very proud to graduate six student-athletes and we wish them all the best," said head coach Eduardo de Souza.  "Our ultimate goal within the RBC men's soccer program is to prepare our student-athletes both academically and athletically to be able to continue their careers at four-year NCAA member schools.  We will be monitoring their performances and always invite and welcome them back to our alumni game in the Spring."

Carvalho, a defender, started 19 of 21 matches this past season with three goals and one assist for seven points.  He helped the Statesmen defense to a school-record seven shutouts, as well.  Rodrigo will join the NCAA Division III Prairie Fire at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.

Deitrich, a defender/midfielder, started 19 of 21 matches this past season with one goal and two assists for four points.  He helped the Statesmen defense to a school-record seven shutouts, as well.  Bryce will join the NCAA Division I Flames at Liberty University in Lynchburg.

Graciano, a midfielder, started one of 15 matches this past season with one goal and one assist for three points.  Tulio will join the NCAA Division II Bears at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina,

Hendi, a forward, started nine of 13 matches this past season with five goals for 10 points.  Sebastian will join the NCAA Division III Saints at Marymount University in Arlington.

Jovel, a defender, played in nine matches this past season, helping the Statesmen defense to a school-record seven shutouts.  Sahir will also join the NCAA Division III Saints at Marymount University in Arlington.

Speed, a defender, started all 21 matches this past season with one goal for two points.  He helped the Statesmen defense to a school-record seven shutouts, as well.  Denzel will join the NCAA Division I Lancers at Longwood University in Farmville.

Richard Bland completed 2016 with the finest season in the four-year history of the program, posting a final record of 12-7-2.  The Statesmen won their first-ever NJCAA Region 10 Tournament Championship, advancing to the Southeast District semifinals.