The 2023-2024 men's soccer team began their season 2-6-1, but they finished by winning four of their final six games to finish with a 6-8-1 overall record, offering a great deal of hope and excitement for the 2024-2025 season. Additionally, the Chargers return nearly all of their production, including MCCAA (Michigan Community College Athletic Association) Honorable Mention selections Santiago Morales and Dennis Hernandez. Morales, a Sophomore midfielder from Fishers High School, led the team with 8 goals, 5 assists, and 21 points scored. Hernandez, a Sophomore defender from Warsaw Community High School, is great along the back line, limiting opponents from scoring.
Also key among the returnees is Redshirt Freshman goalkeeper Trent Platz of New Prairie, who missed last season following an injury during the exhibition season. At 6-foot-6, he offers tremendous length in goal, and coupled with his athleticism, he can cover a lot of ground quickly. Sophomores Abe Rebollo of Plymouth, and Moises Franco of Beech Grove, both gave quality minutes a year ago, and both are expected to move into more of a defensive role this season, offering stability and experience in back. Additional Sophomore returnees include Tolulope Oluwafemi of Lawrence Central, who filled in admirably at goalie last season, midfielder/defender Exode Minga of Fort Wayne Carroll, midfielder Marek Robinson of Washington Township, midfielder Isaiah Hughes from Antigua & Barbuda, midfielder/defender Javier Guerra of Fishers, and midfielder/defender Alan Pena of Plymouth.
Head Coach Kirk Weiss offered this about his Sophomores, "it's huge to have this many returnees with experience. That is something we weren't able to lean on a year ago. Now, we have a group who can show our Freshmen how to act, adapt, and grow as college student-athletes early this season. With such a high return rate, I think it's also a testament to the 'buy-in' of our guys and the belief in what we are doing."
The Chargers look to an exciting 13-player group of newcomers (all Freshmen) to add athleticism, skill, and depth. Jonathan Monjaraz of Elk Grove High School (IL) stands out as a dynamic midfielder with quickness and good foot skill. Matt Polk Jr. of Northwestern High School in Kokomo has a strong, college-ready frame, he's a talented athlete, and he is very good in the middle of the field. Defender Zach Huff comes to the Chargers following a Senior year at West Noble in which he was selected Honorable Mention All-State in Indiana due to his activity along the back line. At 6-feet, Victor Rodriguez brings some size to the middle of the field, plus he's active and offers a lot of coverage, while 5-foot-4 midfielder Bawi Za Sang of Perry Meridian is much smaller, but he is electric and could really surprise some people this season with his explosive speed and foot skill. Midfielder Hein Lin of Perry Meridian offers versatility, Angel Pegoda of Plymouth is very physical in the back, and Yeffreys Quintanilla can affect games quickly as a striker.
"Our Freshmen are extremely hungry and have been pushing the Sophomores since day-1 of practice," exclaimed Coach Weiss. "Several of them come in with a bit of a chip on their shoulder because they are noticeably talented, yet they didn't get a lot of attention from 4-year schools during the recruiting process." Additional Freshmen fighting for their opportunity to affect the lineup include striker Anthony Hughes of Wawasee High School, striker Isaiah Moore of White River Valley High School, striker/midfielder B.J. Isom of Muncie Central High School, midfielder Daniel Akinyose of Ben Davis High School, plus midfielder Aidan Moench of Boone Grove High School. Isom is in his second year at MUAC, but he exclusively played basketball during the 2023-2024 school year.
The Chargers also added Elmer Roque, Nate Hutsell, and Ruben Herrera to their coaching staff, which should benefit these student-athletes on a day to day basis. As for their outlook on this season, Coach Weiss suggested, "coming off of probation last season, and having a group of hungry players in 2023-2024 who weren't allowed to play in the tournament, we are thrilled the core of them chose to return to make a true run at postseason play. Add to them our current Freshmen, and it makes this team that much stronger, so qualifying for the MCCAA tournament at the end of the year is a priority for this group."
The Chargers officially open their season tomorrow, Friday, August 23rd, when they travel to Bethel University for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff against the Pilot JV team. The first home game will be next Friday, August 30th, when the Chargers host Fairhaven Baptist College, with the start time being 6:00 p.m. Good luck to the men's soccer team in 2024-2025!!
