Manhattan Christian College Athletics and Athletic Director, Lauren Sanders are excited to announce, introduce, and welcome to our Thunder family, Scott Blake as the head soccer coach. Coach Blake will be the head coach for both the men's and women's programs. Blake brings passion for student-athletes and for the sport of soccer. His character and values align perfectly with our values here at MCC, emphasizing not only athletic excellence, but also personal growth, spiritual growth, and character development. MCC men's soccer played six matches in 2025 before canceling their season due to a limited roster, while women's soccer did not play this season. With Blake at the helm, he plans to fill both rosters next fall.

Blake grew up in Sarasota, Florida and moved to Jefferson City, Missouri in 1989. He attended and graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1993 where he was a four-year varsity letter winner in soccer and baseball. After high school, Blake attended Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri and played soccer and baseball for the Wildcats. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from CSC in 1997 and would later go on to earn his Master of Science in Administration from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. He also has his physical education certificate and has 29 years of teaching experience in Missouri at the elementary, middle, and high school level. Blake brings years of experience to the Thunder soccer programs as he has coached both boy's and girl's high school soccer for 29 years and club soccer for 25 years. Blake has coached multiple conference, district, regional, and state tournament teams with many players earning those respective awards. Blake would also win conference and district Coach of the Year honors, while earning the chance to coach at the 2020 All-American Games. Also, a long time member of the United States Soccer Coaches and Missouri Soccer Coaches Association.

"We are thrilled to welcome Scott Blake to the Manhattan Christian College Athletics family. With his strong leadership, proven success, and deep commitment to developing young athletes both on and off the field, Coach Blake is the ideal person to lead our men's and women's soccer programs into the next chapter. His passion for excellence and character-driven approach aligns perfectly with our vision, and we look forward to seeing both soccer programs thrive under his guidance." said Sanders.

Blake had this to say about this opportunity, "My family is excited for the opportunities at Manhattan Christian College and in the city of Manhattan. We would like to thank President J. Kevin Ingram, Jordan Strom, Lauren Sanders, Adam Gage, and all the fantastic staff in administration and admissions. I am humbled to be selected to lead the Men's and Women's Soccer programs at MCC. MCC is a special place in faith and vision, leadership, teaching and academics, and pursuit of athletic excellence. Thunder Athletics have both current and historical success in the National Christian College Athletic Association. I look forward to helping to bring Christ-centered and talented young people to campus and our soccer programs. From the start, there will be eight core virtues that will lead us on and off the field: Faith, Character, Passion, Humility, Respect, Unity, Tradition, and Mindset. Go Thunder!"

Please join us in welcoming Head Coach Scott Blake to the Thunder family. Blake is married to Jennifer Blake and they have two kids, Ethan and Abby. Abby is a current, senior volleyball student-athlete at MCC and Ethan is a men's soccer student-athlete at Lindenwood University. Coach Blake is actively recruiting for both men's and women's soccer teams for the 2026 season.

How to Follow the Thunder: For complete information and to stay up-to-date with Manhattan Christian College Men's and Women's Soccer, visit www.mccthunder.com and follow the team's social media pages on the Men's Instagram and the Women's Instagram.

The Thunder men's soccer team traveled to Kansas City, Missouri to take on Spurgeon College in a rescheduled NCCAA Central Region match from earlier this month. The Thunder would battle and be in a tied match at the end of 45 minutes. Two second half goals by the Knights would be enough to secure a 2-0 victory. The Thunder would be outshot 28-2 in the contest. Freshman, Jaime Fernandez would have 12 saves on the afternoon for the Thunder. With the loss, the Thunder move to 0-5-1 overall and 0-3-0 in the Central Region.

The Sons of Thunder will be back at home on Saturday, September 27th for a game under the lights against Ecclesia College at 7:00PM at Frank Anneberg Park in Manhattan, Kansas. The Thunder are trying to avenge a 7-1 season-opening loss to Royals.

How to Follow the Thunder: For complete information and to stay up-to-date with Manhattan Christian College Men's Soccer, visit www.mccthunder.com and follow the team's social media pages on Instagram.

The Thunder men's soccer team took on rival Ozark Christian College on Saturday afternoon in a Midwest Christian College Conference and NCCAA Central Region match. The Thunder were overwhelmed with the Ambassadors from the start as they would be outshot 34-9 and fall by a final score of 5-0. Freshman, goalkeeper, Jaime Fernandez would go on to have 12 saves for the Thunder. With the loss, the Thunder drop to 0-4-1 overall, 0-2-1 in the MCCC, and 0-2-0 in the Central Region.

The Sons of Thunder will play their next match on the road, a rescheduled match from earlier this month, against #7 ranked Spurgeon College. This match will take place in Kansas City, Missouri at the Central Bank Sporting Complex on Thursday, September 25th at 1:00PM.

How to Follow the Thunder: For complete information and to stay up-to-date with Manhattan Christian College Men's Soccer, visit www.mccthunder.com and follow the team's social media pages on Instagram.

The Thunder men's soccer team had two matches scheduled for the weekend, but would only end up playing one. On Friday afternoon, the Thunder battled with Emmaus, who is receiving votes in this week's NCCAA DII Men's Soccer Top-10 poll, to a 2-2 tie. The Thunder would go up 2-0 late into the second half, but two late goals, one being a penalty kick on a handball, would ultimately end the match in a tie. Freshman, Nicko Gomez would score his first goal of his career off an assist by senior, Damien Cervantes. Senior, Riuben Basubeche would knock in the second goal on a penalty kick early in the second half. That was Basubeche's second goal on the season. On Saturday, the Thunder's match against Faith Baptist Bible would be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. After the weekend, the Thunder now sit at 0-3-1 overall and 0-0-1 in the MCCC.

The Sons of Thunder will play again in a week when Ozark Christian visits Manhattan, Kansas on Saturday, September 20th. This match will be played at 3:30PM at Frank Anneberg Park.

How to Follow the Thunder: For complete information and to stay up-to-date with Manhattan Christian College Men's Soccer, visit www.mccthunder.com and follow the team's social media pages on Instagram.

The Thunder men's soccer team continued their road swing to start the season with trips to Kansas Christian and Central Christian College of the Bible. On Friday, the Thunder were held scoreless against the Falcons and fell 2-0. Freshman, Nicko Gomez would take fours shots with two of them being on goal. Freshman, goalkeeper, Jaime Fernandez would record six saves in goal.

On Saturday, the Thunder would open Midwest Christian College Conference play against the Saints of Central Christian College of the Bible. Another scoreless match for the Thunder would lead to defeat as they would fall 8-0. After the weekend, the Thunder are now 0-3 with an 0-1 MCCC and NCCAA Central Region record.

The Sons of Thunder will close out their road swing on Tuesday, September 9th when they face Spurgeon College at 1:00PM in Kansas City, Missouri.

How to Follow the Thunder: For complete information and to stay up-to-date with Manhattan Christian College Men's Soccer, visit www.mccthunder.com and follow the team's social media pages on Instagram.

The Thunder men's soccer team will kick off Midwest Christian Conference play this weekend as they travel to Moberly, Missouri to battle Central Christian College of the Bible. The Thunder defeated the Saints twice last season, a 1-0 win on the road and a 5-0 victory at home. A nine game conference slate is scheduled for the Thunder.

Head coach Craig Bender is ready to compete against MCCC opponents, "Our team has made great progress from game one to game two. After taking on two NCCAA Division I opponents, we are ready to play teams in our conference, region, and division. We look forward to Saturday!"

The Sons of Thunder finished third in the MCCC last season with a 2-1-2 record. They would fall in the the MCCC Tournament Semifinal to Emmaus University, but would win the consolation match against Ozark Christian College.

The Thunder took on Kansas Christian College today and fell 2-0. They head into their first conference match with a 0-2 record. Saturday's match will kick off at 1:00PM at Central Christian College of the Bible.

How to Follow the Thunder: For complete information and to stay up-to-date with Manhattan Christian College Men's Soccer, visit www.mccthunder.com and follow the team's social media pages on Instagram.