Carson-Newman Men’s Soccer Position Previews: Forwards
We begin previewing the 2025 Carson-Newman men’s soccer team with a look at this year’s forwards with help from senior forward Ben Dukes.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – We begin previewing the 2025 Carson-Newman men's soccer team with a look at this year's forwards with help from senior forward Ben Dukes.
Ben Dukes is one of two starting attackers that returns for head coach Stephen Lyons in 2025. Playing in all 16 games, Dukes tied for the team lead with five goals in his second season with the Eagles. All five goals came in the month of October. He paced Carson-Newman's eight-goal eruption versus Newberry on October 23rd, scoring three of his team's eight goals. He scored his three goals in exactly 20 minutes and 15 seconds, the third fastest hat trick in the past 15 seasons. It was just the fourth time that a hat trick has occurred all in one half. He tied for the most shots with 35 and led the squad in shots on goal with 19, producing the highest shot on goal percentage (.543) on the club. He made 13 starts, including seven straight to end the season.
"It was good individually to get five goals and help the team in that respect," Dukes said. "Hopefully I can add onto that this year and as a team, win a few more games, score more goals and be more successful."
This past season, Carson-Newman's offense averaged 1.62 goals per game, scoring 26 goals in 15 games. Eight of those came in a blowout win over Newberry on October 23. The offense increased its mark by .5 from 2023 and scored multiple goals in nearly half of its games a season ago.
"That Newberry game showed that when we play our game, we can beat anyone," Dukes said. "Last season, we just didn't score enough goals to win a few games. To have that boost of confidence from the Newberry game, it was really good and showed that we can up there at the top."
Antoine Torrent (Clermont ferrand, France) is another key puzzle piece that returns after a fabulous freshman campaign. He was one of just three players to start and play in all 16 games. Torrent finished with a team-high seven assists, while scoring three goals to total 13 points in his rookie year. The Frenchman recorded multiple points in four games and tied for the most shots on the team.
"Antoine is a great player," Dukes said. "Especially for his age, he was only 18 playing last season as a freshman. He didn't look out of place at all and was one of our best players. I'm sure he's going to have another great season and be a big part of our attacking group."
Graduate student Thomas Lachapelle (Brussels, Belgium) is back for his second season in the Orange and Blue. He finished the year with 10 of his 19 shots finding the target, one of the most efficient marks on the club. Playing in all 16 games, the attacker scored three goals including a brace against Coker on Sept 21. Mac Hickman (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Wylder Lee (Knoxville, Tenn.) are also returning forwards. Hickman played in nine games a season ago, while Lee used a redshirt season.
Mike Cercel is the only newcomer to the position group. The freshman forward joins C-N from Zwolle, Netherlands.
"To be successful and winning games we are going to need everyone in the attacking group," Dukes said. "Depth is really important for any good team that wants to go on and win things. We will need everyone at one point or another. I believe in any of the guys to be ready when their chance comes."
Carson-Newman men's soccer position previews will continue next Thursday, August 21st with a preview of the team's midfielders with assistance from Maxime Wester.
