May 5, 2010

Rodrigues, Bacchi sign to play soccer at four-year schools

Playing important roles in the start up of the Cowley College soccer program, sophomores Dayton Rodrigues and Joao Bacchi recently signed letters of intent to continue their playing careers at four-year schools.

Rodrigues, who served as a co-captain for last year’s team, signed with John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR. While, Bacchi signed with NCAA Division II Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas.

The duo was a part of the first ever-recruiting class for the Cowley College soccer program. They helped the Tigers win four games in their inaugural season and improved the team’s win total to six games this past season.

Cowley head coach Roberto Dos Santos appreciates the efforts of both players and is happy to see them earn an opportunity to continue playing soccer.

“I will miss them, but I am happy they will get to move on towards their four-year diploma and get to keep playing soccer,” Dos Santos said. “They represented Cowley and our program with a lot of honor.”

Rodrigues started each of the past two seasons and was named co-captain as a sophomore, while starting 15 games and tallying four assists at the outside midfield and forward positions.

As a freshman, Rodrigues started 12 games and recorded three goals and six assists.

Rodrigues, who played high school soccer in Tulsa, OK, will be only a little more than an hour from home when attending John Brown University, which finished with a record of 10-8-1 last season.

At Cowley, Rodrigues enjoyed playing with Bacchi and the six Brazilians on the team.

“It was great to play with a bunch of foreign players and get a feel for how they play,” Rodrigues said. “I enjoyed being a leader on the team and think my skill level increased.”

Bacchi tied for the most points (12) on the team as a sophomore as he scored five goals and added two assists. As a freshman, he finished with 14 points on three goals and eight assists.

He will be joining a Texas A&M International University squad, which finished last season with a record of 6-9-3.

“They had the best to offer me in terms of soccer and academics,” Bacchi said. “Cowley was a good experience for me, I grew up a lot as a person and as a player.”