Fontainebleau 2008 graduate Denton Gottung will take his soccer talent to Mississippi College in Clinton as he has signed a letter of intent with the school to attend on a leadership and academic scholarship.

Gottung, a three-year letterman, was the Bulldogs’ starting goalkeeper as a senior after he injured his shoulder and didn’t play in his junior year. “I enjoyed playing close, competitive district games especially against St. Paul’s. They always played us tough,” Gottung said.

“I made a couple of unofficial visits to Mississippi College. I visited the campus back in March, and I met with coach Kevin Johns. I really liked the coaches, and I met with a couple of the soccer players.”

Seated Fontainebleau graduate Denton Gottung signs his letter of intent to attend Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., to play soccer for the Choctaws. Seated next to Gottung are his mother Patricia and father Paul. Standing from left: Mandeville Soccer Club coaching directors Shane Jeanfreau, Colin Gilmartin, Mike Ortner, Liam Rennie and Fontainebleau head soccer coach Budd Ditchendorf.

“Mississippi College has a good computer science curriculum. The campus is only about three hours from home, which is something I had hoped for. With the situation in goal, I think I have a good chance of playing,” Gottung added.

Gottung said he also considered joining the Coast Guard along with possibly attending the Merchant Marine Academy.

The Mississippi College Choctaws men’s soccer team finished last season with a 12-5-1 record. The Choctaws fell to the University of the Ozarks, 2-1, in the American Southwest Conference Tournament semifinals.

When asked to describe himself as a goalkeeper he said he plays with immense confidence. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a 20-4-1 record earning a berth in the bi-district playoffs. He posted nine shutouts while allowing less than a goal per game. He also notched one goal as a regular field player. He received District 7-1 honorable mention his senior year.

Fontainebleau head soccer coach Budd Ditchendorf described Gottung as a player who wasn’t afraid to lead his teammates. “Even though he wasn’t a team captain, he was a leader on the practice field. He set a high standard for his teammates. He had an excellent work ethic, which fueled his success in his net,” Ditchendorf said.

Gottung named Casey Keller, who played goalkeeper for Fulham in the English Premier League and a four-time World Cup U. S. participant as his favorite player.

Gottung graduated with a 3.0 grade point average. His favorite subject is social studies. He plans on majoring in computer science and is interested in programming.

Denton is the son of Paul and Patricia Gottung.