Two members of the 2020-2021 Blinn College soccer team have earned all-region honors.
Goalkeeper Diego Berlingeri and midfielder Marco Rodriguez Jr. were named to the All-Region 14 team in a vote by coaches.
Berlingeri played in six games as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending injury. For his career, he posted a goals-against average of 2.23. The Buccaneers had a 6-6 record with Berlingeri in the net.
Rodriguez had six goals and two assists for Blinn during his freshman campaign last season, including two game-winning goals. He is expected to be one of the leaders for Blinn’s upcoming season.
Rodriguez was named the NJCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Player of the Week after scoring two goals in last season’s opener last April, a 3-1 win over Paris Junior College.
Head coach Michael McBride praised both players.
“Some of Diego’s performances in the spring were spectacular,” said McBride. “He was such a huge loss to the team when his season ended prematurely due to injury. He is very worthy of his all-region award.”
A University of Missouri-Kansas City signee, Berlingeri was Blinn’s first player to commit to play for a Division I university.
McBride called Rodriguez a standout player.
“His blinding pace coupled with his agility certainly put our opponents on the back foot. When he was on top of his game, at times he was unstoppable,” McBride said. “We are really excited to see what he brings to the pitch this fall.”
The Buccaneers will kick off the Region 14 season Saturday, Aug. 28, at Northeast Texas Community College. The Region 14 home opener will be Wednesday, Sept. 1, against Tyler Junior College. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Rankin Field in Brenham’s Hohlt Park.
The women’s team also travels to Northeast Texas Community College for its season opener on Saturday, Aug. 28. Its home opener is also against Tyler Junior College at 5 p.m. on Sept. 1, also at Rankin Field.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
About the Blinn College District
With innovative programs and award-winning co-enrollment partnerships, Blinn’s academic transfer rate ranks No. 1 among Texas community colleges. Courses are available online and at five Central Texas campuses, and students save 43% in tuition and fees compared to the average state university. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.
