Men’s soccer was ranked fourth in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll on Sept. 16. This is their third straight week in the top 25.
After starting with a 4-0 record and outscoring opponents 17-0, they were ranked No. 24 in the week two poll. They rose to ninth in the rankings after earning their fifth straight shutout in a Sept. 5 victory against Kansas City, and then to fourth after drawing against Saint Louis on Sept. 12.
The team’s 18-0 goal differential to start the season is their best in program history.
Head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt cites the team’s consistency — preparing the same way for each match — and roster depth as contributors to the early-season success.
“There's balance in the group,” Carlin-Voigt said. “You're going to need a deep team to get through a college season when you're playing three, two games a week and the games come fast and furious.”
The Pilots are led in scoring by redshirt sophomore forward Joe Highfield, who was named to the All-WCC Preseason Team, with four goals. Sophomore forward David Ajabge and junior forward Nicholas Dunbar follow with three goals each, while junior forward Diego Rosas leads with four assists.
However, one of the team’s notable strengths so far has been their defense — they have yet to allow a goal through their first six matches. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Miguel-Angel Hernandez has recorded 10 saves and five shutouts, leading the West Coast Conference (WCC) with a perfect save percentage. Hernandez was selected WCC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8 and Sept. 15.
The team finished last season with a 10-game undefeated streak, but missed the NCAA tournament due to early-season struggles such as unexpected losses to low-ranked teams. This year, the group has been playing to improve, according to senior defender and midfielder Oliver Jeppe.
“Every time someone comes in, there's some new energy,” Jeppe said. “We never slow down in the game… [we] haven't let a goal in because we’re so hungry and so eager to do better than we did last year.”
Jeppe suggests the team’s togetherness off the field — making jokes, watching movies and eating together — helps them compete as a unit, and Carlin-Voigt also believes the team is stronger than the sum of its players.
“The star of the team is the team,” Carlin-Voight said.
While the squad has started strong, they are careful not to get too comfortable with over half of the season still remaining.
“We haven't got into the meat of the season yet,” Carlin-Voigt said. “We know that, but we love the momentum that we have. We're proud of the way that we're playing, but we know that there are bigger challenges ahead.”
The squad has 11 games left to play, including an Oct. 10 conference match against San Diego, who was ranked No. 23 in the Sept. 16 poll.
Kaeden Souki is the Sports Editor for The Beacon, he can be reached at souki28@up.edu.
