Gonzalez, Sanchez On Board with GSU Men's Soccer

UNIVERSITY PARK, IL — The Governors State men's soccer team has added veteran presence to its roster with the signing today of midfielder Edson Gonzalez and forward Osvaldo Sanchez. Both incoming juniors bring collegiate experience, having applied their trade in the competitive Region IV of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Gonzalez was a four-time team MVP and honor roll student at Thornton Fractional South High School, where he graduated in 2016. After leading the Rebels to a South Suburban Conference Championship, Gonzalez moved on to South Suburban College, where he played for his father, Jose Gonzalez. He earned NJCAA All-Region IV First Team honors in 2016 and 2017, starting 30 consecutive games. In 2018 Gonzalez landed at NCAA Division II Wisconsin-Parkside, where he redshirted.

A Lansing, Michigan native, Gonzalez will be reunited with SSC teammate Hamzat Sanni. The son of Veronica Gonzalez, Edson plans on majoring in education with an emphasis on mathematics.

"Edson is a relentless competitor and proven leader. In addition to being a steely defender and adept distributer, he'll be a tremendous asset to the culture of our team," said GSU Head Coach Matt Eggert.

Sanchez scored eight goals his freshman year at Prairie State College in 2013, took four years off to serve in the Illinois Army National Guard, and returned to PSC in 2017. Sanchez compiled a team-high 27 goals and 10 assists his senior season at Bloom Township High School, earning all-sectional honors and being named to the All-Area Team by The Times of Northwest Indiana.

Hailing from Chicago Heights, Osvaldo's parents are Margarita and Gerardo Sanchez. Having already earned an associate's at Prairie State, Sanchez will now focus on business marketing at GSU.

"Osvaldo is a versatile attacker with the vision and technical ability to play in the midfield as well as up top. He is an absolute assassin in the box," said Eggert, who may have created one of the best nicknames on the team.