McPherson College Men's Soccer

Kent Freund is entering his second season as McPherson College Men's Soccer head coach.   In his first season at the helm, Freund returned just one-third of the Bulldogs' scoring from the previous season, but brought in 13 new players, including five transfers. Under Freund, Anthony Pereira scored a team-high 10 goals for the Bulldogs and assisted on two more. Pereira is the first Bulldog to score double-digit goals since the 2018 season. Freund spent four seasons at McPherson College, the first two as an assistant coach and the latter two as associate head coach. During his time with the Bulldogs, he helped lead them to a pair of national tournament berths and coached four NAIA All-American selections.  Prior to arriving in McPherson, Freund was a graduate assistant at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., where he helped lead the Wildcats to four straight NAIA Tournaments.  Freund also spent time as the varsity girls assistant coach and goalkeeper coach at Blue Valley Southwest High School, leading them to back-to-back Class 5A State Championships. He was also a standout collegiate goalkeeper, leading NCAA Division II Fort Hays State University to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament in 2014. He was a four-year letter winner for the Tigers and a first-team All-MIAA selection in 2014. Freund left FHSU with the most wins, most saves, and most shutouts in a single season and career in program history.  Freund holds a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Fort Hays State and a Master's degree in Sports Management from Baker University. Year Overall KCAC Postseason 2023 1-12-5 1-7-5 Totals (1 year) 1-12-5 1-7-5

Ian Thomson is starting his first year as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach. Thomson brings 15 years of college coaching experience to McPherson College and is no stranger to the KCAC, spending 10 years as the head women's soccer coach at Tabor College. While the head man of the Bluejays, Thomson racked up 74 career wins and made the KCAC Tournament eight times. He also coached 51 All-KCAC players, 97 Academic All-Conference selections, and 52 Academic All-Americans. He was a two-time KCAC Champions of Character Coach nominee and led the Bluejays to back-to-back KCAC Team of Character awards in 2014 and 2015. Prior to arriving in Hillsboro, Thomson spent five seasons as the head women's coach at Independence Community College where he became the all-time winningest coach in program history. In his final season with the Pirates, the team reset the record books in several categories including most wins in school history.   Coaching Highlights All-time Wins Leader at Tabor College 51 All-KCAC players 97 Academic All-Conference selections 52 Academic All-Americans Two-time KCAC Champions of Character Coach nominee KCAC Team of Character awards in 2014 and 2015 All-Time wins leader at ICC 2 All-KJCCC Players   Playing Highlights Thomson started his Playing career at Neosho County Community College. He was the first Academic All American in school history. Thomson was also a standout player at Tabor and was an All-KCAC selection in 2004 and was named team captain in 2005. He also made the Academic Team in his three seasons with the Bluejays. Coaching History 2010-2013 Head Coach at Independence Community College 2014-2023 Head Coach at Tabor College 2025-Present Head Coach at McPherson College. Quick Facts Hometown: Pittsburg, KS Family: Wife Melissa, Three Sons, Sawyer, Moses, & Henry. Three Dogs College: Associates of Art from Neosho County Community College 04’ BA in Graphic Design Tabor College 06’ Master's degree in Recreation and Sport Science 20’  

Miguel Palacio Perez will be entering his first season as the Assistant Coach for the McPherson college men’s soccer program. Coaching Highlights Perez arrives at McPherson College after being a Student Coach for Graceland University during his last 3 semesters of undergraduate degree. Playing Highlights Perez played for Gateway Legacy Christian Academy from 2019 to 2021. Following his time there, he then went to Graceland University from 2021 to 2023. He then finished his collegiate career at Florida Memorial University to play for one season, followed by his return to Graceland University as a student coach. Coaching History 2024 - 2025 | Graceland University Quick Facts Hometown: Medellín, Colombia  College: Graceland University '25 Union Commonwealth University (currently doing his Masters)