Terrier Sports
Vincent Bezecourt’ 16 is the first Terrier to make a U. S. professional team in almost 20 years.( Photo: Ben Solomon.)
Champion Terrier Now Plays for New York Red Bulls in MLS
The NEC champion Men’ s Soccer team has now produced its first top flight professional. Vincent Bezecourt’ 16 signed with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer( MLS) this August, moving up from the team’ s minor league USL squad. Bezecourt is the first Terrier to sign a major U. S. professional league deal since John Halama who pitched from 1991 – 94 at St. Francis before beginning his Major League Baseball career in 1998.
Bezecourt, a midfielder, led the Terriers to the 2014 Northeast Conference Championship and a national ranking of 22. In 2015, he earned Third Team All-American honors after pacing the Red & Blue with seven goals, which was good for fourth in the Northeast Conference.
“ Vince has earned this opportunity with his play in USL and his attitude toward working hard every day to improve his game,” said Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch.“ He shows qualities that we think will translate to the MLS level. This is a testament to Vince and to our organizations’ player development system.”
In 19 appearances prior to his promotion, Bezecourt contributed six goals and led the league with eight assists and 45 chances. In 2016, he recorded six goals and two assists in 18 regular season appearances, as well as a goal and four assists during the playoffs en route to NYRB II winning the USL Championship.
“ It was a nice surprise, I’ m very happy to be here,” said Bezecourt.“ When you are a USL player, you always look up at the big guys from the first team and you want to play with them, to train with them. I’ m grateful for the opportunity and very thankful to all of the coaches from USL, the players and thankful for the trust from the coaching staff too.” ●
Men’ s Water Polo Standout Plays in World University Games
Men’ s Water Polo standout Nikita Prokhin’ 19 played for Team Canada in the prestigious World University Games( WUG), which were held in Taipei, Taiwan this past August.
“ It was always a dream of mine to play for my country since I was a kid,” Prokhin said.“ It was my first time playing for Canada. I actually have dual citizenship in Kazakhstan and Canada and I competed for Kazakhstan in other international competition. My family moved to Canada when I was 10 and I gained citizenship in 2014.”
The junior credits his preparation at St. Francis College for helping him make the team.“ The game is much more physical at the NCAA level and we train much harder in the gym. I think I’ m able to see the game better, have
Nikita Prokhin’ 19 in the SFC pool. gained strength, and I’ m much better on defense because it’ s played much harder over here.”
Prokhin is excited for what’ s in store for the 2017 Terriers.“ I think the training and international experience should really help me when our season starts. I know that the other guys on the team are really excited and determined to win our conference this season.”
The Terriers are now preparing for the post-season and hopes of returning to the NCAA Final Four. ●
ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE TERRIER | FALL 2017 | VOLUME 81, NUMBER 1 15