SHREVEPORT, LA. - LSUS Athletics will have eight student-athletes graduate from LSUS on Friday, December 18. Tom Cobham, Alexis Hobbs, Royce Hunter, Taylor Jacob, Nykeria Jones, Hugo Juliao, Austin McNicholas, and Julius Williams will all earn their degrees on Friday at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, La.
“I am really proud of our graduating student-athletes,” said LSUS Athletic Director Lucas Morgan. “The number one goal is for all of our student-athletes to graduate, and these eight individuals were able to accomplish that. I can’t wait to see what is in store for all of them in their lives.”
Cobham, Juliao, and Williams closed out their last season in the men’s soccer program by helping the Pilots win at least 12 games for the fifth year in a row. Juliao, the RRAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference member, solidified the Pilots’ defense all season long en route to a 12 win campaign and a 7-3-1 record in conference play. He appeared in all 20 games this season for the Pilots, while starting in 19 of them. He finished with five assists this season but his contributions in each match did not show up in the box score. He continuously made it tough on opposing teams trying to find the back of the net against the Pilots this season. Williams used his last season to break the all-time scoring record at LSUS, as he finished the season with eight goals and six assists. Cobham returned this season after suffering a season-ending injury a year ago. He played solid minutes for the Pilots, notched one assist, and found himself in many situations down the stretch that helped the Pilots find success.
Hobbs, known for her high soccer IQ, was a leader for the Pilots during the first season under Head Coach Mark Matlock. She started all 15 games she appeared in for the Pilots this season and was instrumental in leading the Pilots defense that only allowed 12 goals during conference play, good for second in the RRAC.
McNicholas has been a steady force in the everyday lineup for Coach Brad Neffendorf and the LSUS Baseball team. Over his three seasons as a Pilot, McNicholas holds a betting average of .360, while also notching a total of 187 hits, 14 home runs, and 109 runs batted in. He has appeared in 144 games over two full seasons and the COVID shortened season that saw the Pilots play only 26 games before the season was canceled.
Jacob and Jones, of LSUS Women’s Basketball, have seen a lot of wins during their time wearing the purple and gold. Jacob was the steady hand at the point guard position for two seasons under Coach Matt Strickland. During her time, she scored 233 points, averaging 5.2 points per game, while appearing in 45 games. Jones is currently enjoying a season where she is averaging over three points per game for the Pilots. Over the past two seasons, Jones averaged 5.9 points per game including a breakout season a year ago where she averaged over 12.3 points a game for a Pilot team that finished 16-2.
Hunter has been a major contributor for the Pilots during his time in Shreveport. Last season, he appeared in 15 games while coming off the bench in 12 of them and averaged 11 points per game in those games. He shot 52 percent from the field and helped the Pilots secure the No. 1 seed in the NAIA National Tournament. So far this season, Hunter leads the Pilots in scoring at 16.5 points per game while shooting 47 percent from the field. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information and updates on LSUS Athletics please visit lsusathletics.com, ‘like’ us on Facebook at LSU Shreveport Athletics or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @lsus_athletics and @lsusathletics.
