Men's Soccer Ready to See Hard Work Pay Off

The College of Wooster men's soccer team is laying the foundation in hopes to once again be playing meaningful games late into their fall season.

It has happened the past three years, but each time the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament has eluded the Scots. 

"Last spring we came up with this concept to build," Wooster head coach Andy Zidron said. "Everybody has a role to play, to lay the bricks and each day is an opportunity to get better.

"We bring our hard hats and work boots every day in all that we do and try to bring value to each other through authentic influence. We're grateful for each other and for the opportunity to play a game we love with people we care about. We honor each other and the experience by giving our best towards the build."

A year ago, the men went 6-8-3 overall and 3-4-1 in the NCAC. They were in the mix toward the end of the season thanks to a highlight 1-0 win over Denison University at Historic Crew Stadium.

The win was Wooster's first over the Big Red since 2018 and second since 2004. However, a loss in the season finale concluded Wooster's year.

Zidron saw important strides made but also moments he would like to undo.

"Last year we dropped games because we made mistakes in crucial moments," he said. "It's the little details … if you don't think they matter, they do. Some of those games were so slim of a margin, and if we do the right thing, we're top four and competing for a conference title."

Luckily, the Scots have plenty of returners as well as a strong core of newcomers.

Two of Wooster's three All-NCAC selections return in rising senior Max Wiley and junior Elliot Miller. Wiley led the team with 11 points and five goals, while Miller followed with 10 points and three goals but led the way with four assists.

First-year Aris Christodoulou got valuable experience and contributed plenty, being fourth on the team with eight points on three goals. In addition, Zach Napora returns for another year, after scoring two goals last year.

Offensive minded first-years also has Zidron excited as Connor Shea and Markus Franch amongst others will compete for playing time.

"Watching this group blossom from last season into the spring and to now, we've had a lot of success," Zidron said. "We're excited to watch this group and the seniors lean into the day-to-day leadership and to see what we're able to accomplish. They're a great group that has embodied servant leadership and puts the team first. I'm thankful for their mindset and desire to be at their best for each other."

Zidron calls sophomore Nate Chartrand a lynchpin in the backfield, but he will have plenty of help with the likes of returnees Jacob Fried, Connor Piero, Ioannis Aristodemou and Jonny Swiatkowski.

The Scots also added to their depth of goalkeepers with two first-years, Eddie Glucksman and Ian Falconer, while bringing back senior Andrew Beazley and fifth year Gabriel Thomas.

Thomas had a 5-5-1 record with a 1.74 goal against average, while Beazley went 1-3-2 in seven games with a 1.64 goal against average.

"Our goal is to achieve our standard of excellence in each game. We're competing against ourselves and our standard," Zidron said. "If we do that, I think we will put ourselves in situations to play meaningful games in late October, early November and go from there. It's going to be a lot of fun."

The Scots open the year at Trine University on Aug. 30. In that same weekend, they host Case Western Reserve on Sept. 1 for their home opener.

Finally, NCAC play opens and runs through October, starting Oct. 5 with a home contest versus Oberlin College.