Denton, Martin Gil, Lopez Sign Professional Deals
January 08, 2024 | Men's Soccer
SPRINGFIELD - Three recent Missouri State Bears have signed their first career professional deals, with two signing with Spokane Velocity FC in USL League 1.
Jack Denton (2018-2023) and Javier Martin Gil (2021-2023) each signed with the Velocity, the team announced late last week. Alejandro Lopez, who joined the Bears in 2023, signed with AD Guanacasteca in the Costa Rica Premier División. Lopez returns to his home country to play for the club based in the city of Nicoya, just hours away from his hometown of Heredia.
"It's a tremendous honor for Missouri State men's soccer and the athletic department to see three of our guys get pro contracts in early 2024," Missouri State head coach Michael Seabolt said. "It speaks to the commitment to all the players, coaches, staff and administration to excellence. We are super proud of these guys. All these guys have put the Bears before themselves and we are so appreciative of that. We are excited to follow them moving forward."
Denton (London, England) racked up the accolades in his six years at Missouri State. The back-to-back MVC Midfielder of the Year has also been named to the last two United Soccer All-West Region teams. Denton scored a career-high four goals in 2023 and amassed three assists, marking him tied for third on the team in both stats in his final season. Throughout his Bears career, Denton was part of four consecutive MVC Championships and five straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He played over 7,000 care minutes and will enter the professional ranks with the second-most starts in Missouri State history (82).
"He's been a tremendous leader during his time in Springfield," Seabolt said. "He's been a captain that has made the most of every moment with us. On top of that, he is always a great person and is ready to support his teammates. I know he is going to do fantastic in the pros."
Martin Gil (Madrid, Spain) joins Denton in Spokane to continue as teammates at the professional level. The two-time All-MVC defender started every game for Missouri State each of the last two seasons and was third on the team with 1,634 minutes played in 2023. Across three seasons with the Bears, Martin Gil amassed 48 starts across 54 appearances and played nearly 4,000 total minutes.
"Javier transferred in one year before associate head coach Jordan Valentine joined our staff," Seabolt said. "Jordan coached Javier in Division II and spoke very highly of Javier. We trusted Jordan and Javier has lived up to every single bit of that on and off the field. He's a great player, a great guy and a fantastic Bear."
Additionally, former Missouri State player Josh Dolling (2017-2021) also signed with the Spokane Velocity to round out the trio of Bears heading to Washington. Dolling continues his professional career after being a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-American and four-time All-MVC First Team member at Missouri State.
Lopez (Heredia, Costa Rica) makes his way back home to continue his playing career for AD Guanacasteca. The midfielder joined the Bears in 2023 after four years at Lipscomb University where he scored seven goals and was named to the 2022 All-ASUN First Team. He scored one goal with the Bears in Missouri State's 5-2 win over Bowling Green on Oct. 27, 2023.
"Alejandro came in this year and we are super thrilled that he chose Missouri State for his fifth year of eligibility," Seabolt said. "He was a fantastic Bear who really showed up and performed well late in the season to help us achieve NCAA Tournament success. We are super proud of him and we know he will do great things in Costa Rica."
Jack Denton (2018-2023) and Javier Martin Gil (2021-2023) each signed with the Velocity, the team announced late last week. Alejandro Lopez, who joined the Bears in 2023, signed with AD Guanacasteca in the Costa Rica Premier División. Lopez returns to his home country to play for the club based in the city of Nicoya, just hours away from his hometown of Heredia.
"It's a tremendous honor for Missouri State men's soccer and the athletic department to see three of our guys get pro contracts in early 2024," Missouri State head coach Michael Seabolt said. "It speaks to the commitment to all the players, coaches, staff and administration to excellence. We are super proud of these guys. All these guys have put the Bears before themselves and we are so appreciative of that. We are excited to follow them moving forward."
Denton (London, England) racked up the accolades in his six years at Missouri State. The back-to-back MVC Midfielder of the Year has also been named to the last two United Soccer All-West Region teams. Denton scored a career-high four goals in 2023 and amassed three assists, marking him tied for third on the team in both stats in his final season. Throughout his Bears career, Denton was part of four consecutive MVC Championships and five straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He played over 7,000 care minutes and will enter the professional ranks with the second-most starts in Missouri State history (82).
"He's been a tremendous leader during his time in Springfield," Seabolt said. "He's been a captain that has made the most of every moment with us. On top of that, he is always a great person and is ready to support his teammates. I know he is going to do fantastic in the pros."
Martin Gil (Madrid, Spain) joins Denton in Spokane to continue as teammates at the professional level. The two-time All-MVC defender started every game for Missouri State each of the last two seasons and was third on the team with 1,634 minutes played in 2023. Across three seasons with the Bears, Martin Gil amassed 48 starts across 54 appearances and played nearly 4,000 total minutes.
"Javier transferred in one year before associate head coach Jordan Valentine joined our staff," Seabolt said. "Jordan coached Javier in Division II and spoke very highly of Javier. We trusted Jordan and Javier has lived up to every single bit of that on and off the field. He's a great player, a great guy and a fantastic Bear."
Additionally, former Missouri State player Josh Dolling (2017-2021) also signed with the Spokane Velocity to round out the trio of Bears heading to Washington. Dolling continues his professional career after being a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-American and four-time All-MVC First Team member at Missouri State.
Lopez (Heredia, Costa Rica) makes his way back home to continue his playing career for AD Guanacasteca. The midfielder joined the Bears in 2023 after four years at Lipscomb University where he scored seven goals and was named to the 2022 All-ASUN First Team. He scored one goal with the Bears in Missouri State's 5-2 win over Bowling Green on Oct. 27, 2023.
"Alejandro came in this year and we are super thrilled that he chose Missouri State for his fifth year of eligibility," Seabolt said. "He was a fantastic Bear who really showed up and performed well late in the season to help us achieve NCAA Tournament success. We are super proud of him and we know he will do great things in Costa Rica."
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