Despite a challenging season for the Ashland University Men’s Soccer team for their fall 2023 season, there’s still a chance for them to come back this season and become No. 1.
The team went 7-9-4 during their 2023 season, falling in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) semifinals to the Tiffin University Dragons.
On Aug. 3, 2023, the men were slotted third in the GMAC Men’s Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. The team was one of many conference favorites after they took a GMAC win in 2022 against the Cedarville University Yellowjackets going 2-1.
A team coming out of a season like that, had high expectations put on them.
They didn’t lack talent going into their 2024 season, seeing as it had returners such as Goalkeeper Ty Bowden, who won GMAC Goalkeeper of the Year, Midfielder Oliver Lovell, a 2022-23 Great Midwest Academic All-Conference recipient, and other returners who didn’t lack any talent.
Although, there’s an argument to be made that the team went into their 2023 season with injured players that were needed on the field, it was still a disappointing outcome for the team and fans.
The hope for Head Coach Nick Roberts, is to enter this season with little to no injuries so it can have a full team to compete for their 2024 season.
This positive hope that the AU men’s soccer team will bring home yet another GMAC title is due to their returners, emphasis on having a comeback after their challenging 2023 season and their preseason polls.
As previously mentioned, Goalkeeper Bowden and Midfielder Lovell, were two players who stood out when the Eagles brought home their last GMAC title. This season the duo will be seniors and not returning to AU after the season.
There’s an argument to be made that the last season is the best season. Although there were more lows than highs than the previous season, fans await to see returners make a comeback.
Going into the season, the training is seemingly more intense, with a huge emphasis on recovery and mental preparation so the team can avoid the slow start that occurred last year according to Bowden.
Injuries happen; however, these injuries arguably cost an entire season and title for the men’s soccer team. This emphasis is essential when it’s one reason why an entire season didn’t end how the team, fans, and polls expected it to.
Finally, despite their 2023 season the team was placed third in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference preseason polls. Although polls are just votes, it still speaks volumes about the men’s soccer team. Other teams within their conference can recognize that with a full healthy team, a force to be reckoned with.
So, with all these reasons being said it is my belief that the Ashland University Men’s Soccer team will bring home yet another GMAC title to make a huge comeback after last season.
Of course, this is simply an opinion piece by a Sports Editor … it’s up to the team to prove themselves not just to the fans, the preseason polls, or even the coaches – but to themselves.
The Eagles will play the Davis and Elkins College Senators for its first game of the season on Thursday, Sep. 5, at 2 p.m. at Ferguson Field.
