Northwest Mississippi Community College men’s soccer aims for improvement under new coach Whatley
Senatobia, Miss. — The Northwest Mississippi Community College men’s soccer team is looking to improve after finishing last season with a 6-11-1 record, the most wins since 2016, according to school officials.
The team has added several new players, including six international freshmen, and named Windham Whatley as its new head coach. Whatley joins NWCC after six years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he served as a volunteer assistant before becoming a full-time assistant in 2022. During his tenure, MGCCC compiled a 67-28-12 record and reached the national tournament in 2022, the college said.
Whatley also has coaching experience with the South Mississippi Soccer Club and played as a captain for MGCCC. He continued his playing career at William Carey University. The new coach emphasized a competitive mindset, saying, “We want to compete in every game. After the first game, we want to be 1-0 and then build off of that.”
The team will rely on returning players such as defender Leo Frank and versatile Wesley Kilpatrick, who will play in a more defensive role this season. Sophomore Vaughn Stackhouse is expected to provide leadership both on and off the field, officials said.
The incoming freshman class includes players eager to make an immediate impact, including six international players. Coach Whatley praised their effort and potential, noting, “All of them will play in some sort of way. They are exciting to watch.” Other newcomers like Luis Cano, Gio Salinas, and Landon Hood are also expected to contribute significantly.
Northwest’s schedule begins with two home games against Arkansas-Cossatot Community College on August 21 and Dyersburg State on August 25. The team will then travel to St. Louis for matches against Allen County Community College and Kansas City Kansas Community College in the St. Louis Showcase.
The Rangers will face tough competition throughout the season, including conference games against Jones College, Holmes Community College, and Pearl River Community College. Coach Whatley highlighted the competitiveness of the MACCC, saying, “Anybody can beat anybody on any given day, and for us, that’s an advantage.”
NWCC opens MACCC play with a home game against Copiah-Lincoln Community College on September 15. The team will also face other conference opponents and finish the regular season with a trip to East Mississippi Community College on October 27. The team’s last home game is scheduled for October 23 against Hinds Community College.
Whatley expressed confidence in his team’s fighting spirit, stating, “The team is going to fight every game whether we are playing the top or bottom of the conference. They want to compete and run for each other.”
For updates, fans can follow NWCC men’s soccer on social media or visit nwccrangers.com. Coverage of home games is available on Ranger TV.
Source: Original Article
