Once again, the Men’s Soccer Team has begun a season primed with high expectations. The team has set the bar high in the MIAC, having won the conference title the past two consecutive years. With the entire conference chasing after them, the team knows that nothing will come easy this season.

“We are playing a really tough schedule. We chose a schedule where we are playing teams with ability similar to ours, eight teams of our ten nonconference opponents are nationally ranked teams. We want an exciting season playing against exciting programs, some of the best in the country,” Head Coach Michael Middleton said.

The team kicked off the season with a 3-1 win over Carroll University, but followed it up with a disappointing loss to Wartburg College in the Gustavus Classic.

High expectations are not a cause of concern for this year’s team though, with experienced seniors and underclassmen playing on the varsity squad.

“We have an older group. We are confident, but not arrogant,“  Middleton said.

The experience of this year’s team does not mean it will necessarily look like those of previous years.“ As a coaching staff, we are able to approach things differently, it’s more reiterating to our players rather than teaching, which means we can advance them more quickly.”

“We try to utilize the best facets of the best players we have in our squad and that changes year to year so we are always adapting. We are actually playing a different system than we have in the past,” Middleton said.

Coach Middleton also noted that this year’s team is filled with talented Midfielders who are clever in possession, and who like the ball at their feet.

Senior Midfielder David Lilly and Senior Goal Keeper Brett Ylonen commented on the team’s focus towards its growing expectations.

“The majority of the team played last year when we went to the national tournament, so we know how hard we have to work to make it that far. The expectations are pretty high based on our performance the last couple years. We are playing tough teams to see how well we can compete with them,” Lilly said.

“I want the team to reach it’s full potential. I don’t know what the limit of our potential is yet, but I really like what I’ve seen in the first couple games. I have a feeling it’s going to be a great year,” added Ylonen.

While the team admittedly feels the pressure of living up to their success of recent years, it doesn’t get in the way of them having fun together. Losing only three seniors last year means this year’s group knows each other well.

“They like a laugh and they really enjoy practice, just a really fun group to be around,” Coach Middleton noted. When asked about any pregame superstitions, the responses reflected the team’s comfort level with each other.

“After certain hot days, we are rewarded with ‘Lollies’ after practice,” Ylonen said.

“The day before a game we want them to replenish straight after practice nutrionally, so we have Gatorade and Pop Tarts. Even though it was funny at the start to incorporate Pop Tarts, it’s become a sort of tradition,” Middleton said.

“If it’s an away game, chances are one of the vans will have some guys dancing in it,” Lilly added. Having the reputation of being the most creative team in the region is one that the team enjoys. “Whatever the result of the game is, it will be exciting,” Middleton said.

Gusties can come support the men in their next home game on Sept. 10, where they host Martin Luther College.

–Vincent Bartella