Sophomore Forward Eiichi Yamaguchi

Hometown: Osaka, Japan
High School: Yonago Kita

West Windsor, N.J. – It’s been a full year since Eiichi Yamaguchi has worn Mercer green and gold, but the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) men’s soccer forward still has the magic touch.

Originally from Osaka, Japan, Yamaguchi joined Mercer as a midfielder in 2017. That season he led the Vikings to a 20-4-1 and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19 Championship. His 29 goals were good for 3rd in the country, and helped earn him spots on the All-Region and Garden State Athletic Conference All-Conference Teams.

After missing the 2018 season for personal reasons, Yamaguchi returned to the Vikings lineup in 2019 as a sophomore and has quickly made his presence felt on the field. Through the first five games of the season Yamaguchi netted 10 goals, tied for first place in the nation.

“When Eiichi is on the field, he changes everything,” said men’s soccer Head Coach Widmarc Dalce. “Both offensively and defensively, everybody expects good things to happen when he’s in the game.”

This season, Eiichi’s best game came on Aug. 25, against Suffolk County College. The Vikings’ 6-1 victory included three goals by Yamaguchi, two of which were assisted by fellow sophomores Daiki Nagata and Matheus Martins. Six days later, Yamaguchi posted another hat trick, which vaulted Mercer to a 7-1 victory over Massasoit Community College.

“Our opponents are always focused on Eiichi, double teaming him and trying to shut down his scoring,” Dalce said. “But he is a team player. He is always ready to set up his teammates for success.”

Yamaguchi and the Vikings will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at Rockland Community College. He and the team will return home on Wednesday, Sept. 18, hosting Harcum College at 4 p.m.

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