22 Players, 90 Minutes, One Goal: GSAC Champs

The men’s soccer team is back in action and they’re bringing new talent with them. Aiming for a repeat of last year’s season, the Lions intend to defend their GSAC title. With thirteen new teammates, the men’s soccer team has had to practice unity and multiple plays.

“We needed a lot of new players and depth this season since we lost so many players and starters from our successful season last year. Struggling to get our team chemistry back, we’ve suffered some early losses but now we are getting back into it with big wins and ranking back up to the 19th in the nation,” senior captain Jack Plummer said.

And that’s exactly what the Lions have been continuing to do. Saturday, October 1, the men’s soccer team entered the GSAC schedule with a huge win against The Master’s College Mustangs on Vanguard University’s field.

The Lions knocked off the 17th-ranked Mustangs 2-1 with their strong defense and stand out performances by Cody Adams and Kevin Cornwall, earning them Offensive and Defensive GSAC Players of the Week.

After an early departure from the NAIA Top 25 in the beginning of the season, the Lions are hoping that the win over Master’s will earn them a spot back into the Top 25.

“I think it’s quite clear that we have a lot of quality players on the team and with the addition of some transfers into the mix of returning players, it shows that we have strength in numbers,” transfer junior Sam Nicholson said.

With nothing but a few losses and majority of wins, the men’s soccer team is determined to excel in their upcoming games.

“We’re 7-3 and opened up GSAC with a win, so the energy and vibe surrounding our team is very positive,” sophomore Bryan Ponce said.

“I think that win is going to do a lot for our confidence,” sophomore Nick Ilich said, who gave the Lions a 1-0 lead due to his stand out free kick in the game against The Master’s College.

With much of the season still ahead of them, the men’s soccer team continues to march forward on the field with nothing but determination and high standards to meet.

“No doubt, after getting a taste of nationals last year and coming up short, we want that sweet taste again,” junior Kyle O’Brien said.

The team’s main goal is to make it to Alabama for Nationals again and come back with a National Championship.

“As a team we feel very confident with our upcoming games this month. We know that we can compete and win against the best so we’re very excited to play and show the country what we can do,” Plummer said.

The men’s soccer team is scheduled to play rivals such as Concordia and Biola University this month and embark on their fight to defend their GSAC title.