bbenware@montreat.edu
828-713-6514

Brenton Benware is in his first year as head coach of the men's soccer squad at Montreat College. He was the former head men's soccer coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, OK. Benware served as OWU's head men's soccer coach for the last four years. He also coached the women's program there during his first two years.

While coaching at OWU, his men's soccer team reached both the NAIA-MCAC Conference Tournament and the NCCAA-Regional Tournament two times each.

Benware inherits a team that finished 12-6-1 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference last season and was ranked as high as 25th in the national NAIA poll at one point last year. He says, "This team has great potential this season. They are still young, but have a solid, returning core. These guys are looking to go to a national tournament this season."

Brenton Benware is married to Kelly and is a graduate of Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

jriccardi@montreat.edu
828-329-3319

Josh Riccardi begins his third year as the Assistant Coach of the men's soccer program. His determination and love for the game enables him to excel in recruiting, scouting, andpulling the very best academically and athletically from his players.

Riccardi, a Montreat alum, played three years for the Cavaliers. He became a very versatile athlete, transforming into a player that could be put into any position on the field. While a player, the Cavaliers continued to improve, culminating with two post season appearances.

Two years ago, Montreat men's soccer program expanded to include a JV squad, which Athletic Director Jonathan Bennett felt Riccardi was the perfect man for the job. His focus was to find what players who would excel academically and athletically, while nourishing their development skills. One of Riccardi's favorite quotes is by Oeida Hatcher, "It doesn't matter how hard or how many times you fall down, what matters is how fast you get back up and recover." In their inaugural season, the JV squad went on to win all their games against JV opponents and had a .500 season in the men's open division in Asheville.

Riccardi's favorite verse is Proverbs 27:19, "As water reflects a face, so does a man's heart reflect the man."And for all the players and Montreat community that know Coach Riccardi, it is obvious that his heart reflects the Christ-centeredness that players come to expect out of the Cavalier athletic department.

Josh is originally from Clearwater, Florida where he attended St. Petersburg College before finishing his academic career at Montreat. He now resides in Black Mountain, North Carolina