ICC Men’s Soccer Looks to Return to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament

Justin Brown, Harbinger
Monday, August 24, 2015

The Illinois Central College men’s soccer program begins another season with big expectations.

Those goals start with the Cougars returning to the NJCAA Division I national tournament led by first-year sophomore forward Kevin Fredriksson. The 6-foot-3 Swede brings an extensive knowledge of the game and experience against some of the best players from his country to coach Oz Bakirdan’s program.

Last season, the reigning Region XXIV champions who are ranked no. 8 in the preseason NJCAA D1 poll went 17-3-0 on its way to earning a trip to the national tournament for the first time since 2012.

Fredriksson says it was at the age of four that he fell in love with the game. He was attending one of his uncle Marino Ramhberg’s practices for the Sweden professional team Club AIK when his passion began.

“Something different (from the United States) in Sweden is that we don’t have high school teams, we only have club teams,” said Fredriksson, who at age 16 started playing for his hometown team, Club Assyriska in Orebro, Sweden. “School is school, after school is when you practice.”

“I came here with the dream to go to nationals and that’s what all the guys (on the team) dream and we need to work hard for it.”

The same kind of dedication was required in order for Fredriksson to suit up for ICC this season. In order to be eligible, the business major had to take and pass 15 credit hours over the summer.  

Fredriksson will help fill the void of the 26 goals lost by graduated forward Carson Gray, who is now playing at Saint Louis University. Bakirdan also expects returning starter center back Joost Hommenga (Holland) to step up for the Cougars this season.

“We brought in a great group of guys and once they figure things out we’ll be OK,” Bakirdan said.

Other key members include players from 10 countries including Duncan Corbett (Scotland), Ademola Bakre (United Kingdom), Luka Andonovski (Serbia) and Exodus Bargblor (Bowling Green, Kentucky). The roster also features players from Croatia, Bosnia and South Korea.

Also, on Bakirdan’s roster is Parker Cupi (Peoria Christian), Josiah Ulrich (Roanoke), Semso Gagulic (St. Louis, Missouri), Salomon Ocampo (Sterling), Gaston Pondal (Indianapolis, Indiana) and DeMonte Dudley (Columbus, Georgia).

The Cougars open their 2015 campaign at 6p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the CougarPlex against Carl Sandburg College.