The Ashland University men’s soccer team finished their 2021 campaign with a record of 5-8-4, an underwhelming record with a veteran-heavy roster. The mix of experienced upperclassmen with talented underclassmen never quite meshed as the team had hoped last season.

The Eagles’ failed to make the NCAA tournament, falling in the final game of the season against Lake Erie College needing a tie or win to qualify.

With the 2022 season right around the corner, optimism is a common thought among the team. First and second-year players are confident they can make appropriate fixes to make a run in this year’s NCAA tournament.

Sophomore midfielder Sam Jordan said, “We’re looking to win our conference championship and make it through to the NCAA tournament…I have no doubt with the players we have that we can not only compete, but win the vital games we need to.” Jordan said, “I can’t wait to start the season and get going, I 100 percent believe we will make it far this year.”

The Eagles were picked to finish 5th out of 11 in the Great Midwest preseason coaches’ poll for the 2022 season. With a new motivator under their belt, the team views the 5th place placement as a way to exceed expectations and prove the coaches’ predictions wrong.

“The boys want to prove the poll wrong and do better than expected for sure.” Sophomore striker Stephen Wynne said, “We are younger as a team, which is exciting because we are just getting started. There is no reason we can’t go far in the conference.”

With the preseason winding down, the Eagles’ have their sights set on the regular-season opener occurring on Aug. 27th against Millersville, at 1 pm. The Eagles have specified that they know how important it is to start the season off with a win to increase confidence in a young group.

“We’re all working hard for the first game; preseason has been going well and I think by the time the first game comes around we will be flying.” Sophomore center midfielder Teddy Togliatti said.

The opening game could be a great way to put last season officially to rest and start the 2022 campaign off soaring for the Eagles.