International players on the Centre College soccer team are, left to right: Sota Ippongi of Japan, Jacob Camacho of Trinidad and Tobago, Amit Shahar of Israel, Eumir Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic and Christian Stulz of Germany. (Centre College Soccer Photo)
The Centre College men’s soccer team has players from 11 states — Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota, Maryland, Texas, Oregon, Illinois and Colorado. However, the team has a huge international presence as well with players from five countries — Japan, Israel, Dominican Republic, Germany, and Trinidad and Tobago.
“We don’t just go down one road in recruiting,” said head coach Jeb Burch. “We pay attention to what is out there and we have some really good connections. Xavier Tomlin took over as full-time assistant coach and is doing an awesome job. He sets them up and I try to knock them down. He wanted to get back recruiting not only nationally but internationally.
“He actually watches them play a bit more than I do and deserves most of the credit with these guys.”
Burch says each of his international players has a unique story:
— Junior Sota Ippongi went to Lexington Henry Clay High School after he came to the United States from Japan. Burch says his father is the head chef for a Lexington restaurant where numerous Toyota executives eat frequently. His mother is his No. 1 fan and really gets into our games,” Burch said.
Sota started 18 games last season and had nine goals and one assist. He had two game-winning goals.
— Junior Jacob Camacho of Trinidad and Tobago played in two games last season and had four saves against Washington & Lee.
— Freshman Eumir Rodriguez of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, went to Pomfret School in Connecticut. His coach was Patrick Burke who sent Nick Mazzarella, captain of Centre’s 2019 Final Four team, to play for Burch.
“Patrick thought we would be a good fit for Eumir and then we had to do our job and make a good connection,” Burch said.
— Freshman Christian Stulz of Germany had a Kentucky connection. HIs parents worked in Kentucky when he was young and made friends in the Bluegrass they stayed in touch with after moving back to Germany.
“He wanted to come to the United States to pay and study and they knew about Centre and knew there would be family friends around. He plays a position we need to get filled on defense,” Burch said.
— Freshman Amit Shahar of Israel was playing in Hong Kong and is used to traveling because his father is a successful international businessman.
“I watched him play six or seven games on video and then we did a few Zoom calls,” Burch said. “The person I work with for international students is the one who found him and thought we would be a good fit. So a third person who knew us and knew Amit really helped make this happen.”
Burch expects Stulz and Rodriguez to both play this season which starts Sept. 1. He also thinks Shahar has a chance to play.
“Talent-wise, they are all really good but we also have a really good overall freshman class,” Burch said. “This doesn’t have to be a hard game. Sometimes we make it more complicated than it is.”
Burch understands the value of team chemistry with such a diversified roster and believes leadership will be a team strength.
“That’s not random. We work on leadership year-round. They are the ones who lead the team and make it work. It’s not me. It’s how these players can take the team and guide it,” the Centre coach said.
He likes the way the dynamic plays out with his team. He says “Kentucky kids” show out of state players Keeneland, Lake Cumberland, Rupp Arena, Red River Gorge and other Kentucky “things” and then often visit out of state players to experience what their states are like.
“That dynamic is a neat dynamic and has always existed with us. We have punched above our weight with our soccer and all these guys embrace the international players in a great way,” Burch said.
The coach admits his team could “take some hits early” because of the strength of schedule but believes he has players in all four classes who will contribute heavily this season.
“Our senior class has been through it all. They were on the Final Four team (in 2019) and went through the COVID year,” Burch said. “I know our sophomore class is itching to give it another go and know they can do more than they did last year. We have some really good juniors.”
“I really feel like overall we are back to the way it was in 2019 and have not been since then after the kick in the stomach from the pandemic. I reminded our players last year we were doing COVID tests just to be able to practice and wearing masks a lot of the time. Now unless something changes, it feels more normal again and I think we can get back to where we were before the pandemic.”
