Jacob Guerra, Casey Kelly named captains for Salve Regina men's soccer

NEWPORT, R.I. (September 4, 2020) -- Salve Regina University head coach Craig O'Rourke II has named seniors Casey Kelly (Waldwick, N.J.) and Jacob Guerra (Colchester, Conn.) as team captains for the 2020-2021 school year.

The Seahawks will defend their 2019 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) crowns after a fall campaign relegated to practice only.

"These are unprecedented times that we find ourselves in and the need for knowledgeable, competent, and effective leadership is of the utmost importance … now more than ever before." says O'Rourke. "Fortunately for the men's soccer program, we have two young men that are more than ready and able to meet the challenge. Casey Kelly served as one of our team captains last season and helped lead the 2019 edition of Salve Regina men's soccer to an undefeated conference record, a pair of CCC titles (regular and post-season), and a trip back to the NCAA National Championships. And in so doing, he pretty much won every award on the planet … from CCC Defensive Player of the Year to All-New England to Scholar All-American. His ability to lead and rally our side has already been proven and is beyond reproach."

O'Rourke added: "And this year, he will be bolstered in his leadership role by his classmate Jacob Guerra. Last season, Jacob was quite literally a complete and utter mis-match for any player in the conference who was unfortunate enough to find himself squared up against him on the field in a 1 v 1 situation. And those dynamic, aggressive, attacking abilities are the result of the past three years of dedicated and disciplined work that he has invested in order to hone his abilities. Now that dedicated work ethic and unassuming nature is going to serve as a model and template for our young, recruited talent to copy. Having not lost a conference regular season match since 2017, we are not going to 'sneak-up' on anyone on our schedule. Every team in the CCC will be out to end our streak and the ability of these two young men to galvanize our roster will be tested right from the opening whistle. But with lieutenants like Davies, Ventura, and the rest waiting to listen and follow them … I am completely confident that Casey and Jacob will lead this program to even loftier heights and achievements."