The Central Christian College of the Bible men's soccer team is one exhibition game into their 2025 campaign, with their official season opener on Saturday at home. It's time to announce the new Saints who will take the pitch this fall, and head men's soccer coach Chase Gwynn has his recruiting class finalized for the 2025 season. It consists of 22 newcomers.

"The best way to describe our incoming group is complete," Gwynn said. "Far from perfect, but complete. There were specific needs we had that myself and Coach Richardson had been praying for that God provided well beyond what we could have hoped. The group fits our core goal, to be upstanding young men that are also really good at soccer. It's another step towards our secondary mission of bringing trophies back to CCCB. We have some top local talent mixed with guys you'd never expect to find in Mid-Missouri. It's awesome!"
 
BARAKA GRODYA
5-7 | FR | MF
Columbia, MO | Hickman HS
Coach Gwynn: "Baraka is top local talent and a player we’ve been building a relationship with for a while. He’s a complete player - defense, attack, and a contagious smile that you can't help but enjoy being around."

RICHARD FREITAS
5-7 | SO | MF
Jardim Casa Branca, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Richard is a player who has the rare talent of being able to make a midfield tick. As a transfer I’m looking forward to seeing him continue his college career with us and continue to grow as a player getting ready for the next level." 

JOAO AGUIAR
5-9 | JR | D
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Joao is a player who demands excellence by example. Coming in as an experienced player, he’s already shown a desire to elevate the team and himself….while always saying “kachow” when accelerating."   

OTAVIO PRADO
6-5 | SO | D
Sao Paulo, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "I can’t speak highly enough of Tavinho since the first talk I had with him. The pinnacle of character and a natural born leader. His humility and ability to be a shepherd while also being a top player is all a coach could ask for."
    
PEDRO FREIRE
5-9 | SO | D
Recife, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Pedro is another player who comes in and will perform wherever asked. As a defender or winger he always puts out and is someone who comes in with a heritage of success."
        
LUCAS CARMO
5-11 | SO | MF
Minas Gerais, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Machine, Pitbull, Class. Those words come to mind about Lucas immediately.     Another player who off the field shows humility beyond his years while still being a good player on the field. His discipline, tenacity and ability makes for a brilliant CDM."

JOSH WARREN
5-4 | FR | F
Jacksonville, FL | University Christian HS
Coach Gwynn: "Can't help but smile when Josh is around whether it's from him scoring goals or just his personality, he’s one I’m excited to work with and see grow. Coming off being all-time leading scorer for UCS, he knows how to find the net, create and will be one to look out for."

PAULO FILHO
5-7 | SR | MF
Goias, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Craque or ‘Ace’ in Portuguese describes him best. He's older, experienced and is one of the best passers at our level. Quiet off the field, he's one that when on his day makes the admission fee worth it."

LUCAS RABELLO
5-6 | JR | MF
Rio De  Janeiro, Brazil | Ecclesia College
Coach Gwynn: "Lucas is another experienced player who comes in as an upperclassman. He’s proven himself as a college player, but also proven himself with top character as well. Crafty on the field and a big asset as a person, he’s shown his colors and those colors are very good." 

JOAO PRAXEDES COSTA
5-8 | SO | MF
Minas Gerais, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Praxedes always brings me joy. His smile, day to day willingness to help and personality always brighten my day. Once healthy, I have no doubt he’ll continue to be the creative midfielder I know and have seen."    

GAGE WALKER
6-0 | FR | F
Mexico, MO | Mexico HS
Coach Gwynn: "Gage is a player whose name was given to me when I took the job in October 2023. I couldn't be happier that almost 2 years later he’ll be in our colors. He’s a local forward who has all the tools to be successful in college - Strength, Speed and, most importantly, a nose for goal. He reminds me a lot of myself."

ISAAC SOARES
5-8 | FR | MF
Fonseca, Brazil | Liceu Nilo Pecanha
Coach Gwynn: "Isaac is a good soccer player. What I mean by that is you can put him at any position and he’ll do well.     He has a good background and I’m excited to get to work with him once he gets in for the season."
        
RAFAEL AGAPITO
5-11 | FR | F
Sao Paulo, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Casoti is another forward that I’m excited to work with. A strong holdup 9, he brings a lot of refinement with his touch and play in tight spaces for being a target man. He also never fails to call me ‘sir’ regardless of me telling him he doesn't have one. You’d think he’s one of our Georgia guys with his Southern manners if you didn't know he was Brazilian."

ISRAEL COBIAN
6-2 | FR | MF
Jefferson City, MO | Calvary Lutheran HS
Coach Gwynn: "Izzy is another longtime player on our lists that I’m thrilled to be working with after knowing of him for over a year. He’s a guy who is college ready physically and the mind will follow as he grows used to the speed of the college game. Without a doubt a guy who embodies our program on a deep level. 

ZACKARY HATHAWAY
5-11 | FR | D
Jacksonville, FL | GOCA HS
Coach Gwynn: "Zack is one of our most mature guys. He is a natural leader who has a deep desire to be the best as a teammate as well as on the field. If you gave me a team of Zack’s I think I'd be happy. As a player he’s a good defender who can immediately contribute and  with some growth will develop into a complete player."

LUIS SEIXAS
6-1 | FR | MF
Sao Paulo, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: Luis is a guy who also is just a flat out pleasure to be around. As a player he has athleticism and an off the chart work rate. Excited to work with him and be encouraged by him. 
    
RUAN SILVA
5-8 | FR | MF
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Ruan is meticulous in everything on and off the field. He’s one that I haven’t gotten to see as much of as I’d like yet, but everything he has shown has been great. Really excited to continue working with him."
        
JOAO AREDA XAVIER
5-9 | SO | MF
Belo Horizante, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Areda is quiet off the field but excels in what he does on and off. He’s a clean player and one I’d trust with the ball 7 days a week. The best compliment I can give him is I’d trust him to take care of my cat."

AUSTIN BYISHIMO
5-8 | FR | MF
Columbia, MO | Battle HS
Coach Gwynn: "Austin is another local talent that excels in tight spaces. His footwork and creativity are there. As he develops into his growing body, he’ll no doubt become even better."
    
KYLE THOMAS
5-9 | FR | D
Cole Camp, MO | Cole Camp HS
Coach Gwynn: "Kyle embodies the heart of our program better than anyone. He is the best teammate I could ever ask to have and is someone who I know is a huge asset. He’s really impressed me in preseason on the field. He’s shown that he has the ability to keep growing and contributing."
    
JAKE GRACEY
5-11 | FR | GK
Rathfriland, Northern Ireland | St. Marks HS
Coach Gwynn: "Jake comes in as a freshman but you wouldn't be able to tell it based on his play. With a rich playing background, he's used to playing against men. Without a doubt the future in net while also providing immediate competition for our older keeper to push both of them. He’s also just a flat out great teammate and has adjusted really well to everything minus the heat."
    
DIOGO MENDONCA
6-6 | FR | D
Goiania, Brazil | Barclay College
Coach Gwynn: "Diogo is a towering presence who plays with everything he has in him. Never a shortage of passion. Not a “gentle giant” but a genuine one for sure. He plays physically but is a player that cares about others and will always be real with you."    

The Saints were scheduled to play at Champion Christian College on Tuesday, Aug. 26, but that game was canceled due to inclement weather. They will now officially open the season on Saturday at home against Kentucky Christian University. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.