Pearl River soccer bolsters attack with impact transfer

Pearl River announced on Tuesday the addition of Caleb Burke, who is transferring to PRCC from William Carey. (Courtesy William Carey Athletics)
Pearl River announced on Tuesday the addition of Caleb Burke, who is transferring to PRCC from William Carey. (Courtesy William Carey Athletics)

POPLARVILLE – Head coach Drew Gallant announced Tuesday his Pearl River men's soccer program has bolstered its roster for 2019 with the signing of Caleb Burke.

The center forward is transferring from William Carey and will go through spring drills with the Wildcats.

"He's a really good goal scorer and something we're lacking at the center forward position," Gallant said. "He does a good job as a target player and linking up with the rest of the players around him, capitalizing on his opportunities in the box."

Burke is the reigning Sun Herald Boys Player of the Year. A prolific goal scorer at Ocean Springs High, Burke netted 21 goals and seven assists as a senior for the Greyhounds during the 2017-18 season. He was also named the offensive MVP of the Mississippi Association of Coaches and Coast all-star games.

Burke signed with William Carey out of OSHS and registered three assists in 11 matches for the NAIA powerhouse.

PRCC has had a pipeline in recent seasons to prep power Ocean Springs. The Wildcats boasted three Greyhounds on their roster in 2018 in former OSHS teammates Kealan Baggett, Brandon Pasquini and Mike Jimenez. All three former Greyhounds were freshmen this season.

"He's another high-level player produced by Ocean Springs and Gulf Coast United who should fit in well with the players we already have," Gallant said.

PRCC previously announced the addition of four incoming freshmen in John Bowman (Bay St. Louis), Max Matsenbaugh (Bay St. Louis; St. Stanislaus), Carson Favre (Long Beach) and Tres Ray (Poplarville).

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