By Dominic Rapposelli
Sports Editor
Washington College men’s soccer returns to action coming off a program best finish. They will enter the 2024-25 campaign ranked fourth in the country after their most recent foray into the NCAA Division III tournament.
Last season’s outcome continues a trend of positive play for the Shoremen over the last three years, seeing them take home a program first Centennial Conference title in 2021 as well as a berth in the NCAA tournament. They followed this performance with a loss in the CC playoffs the following season.
After making their historic postseason run, national attention is now placed on the Shoremen. Their strong defensive play and ability to score when necessary has put them at the top of the mountain in Division III.
“This is a brand new season and it’s a brand new team. Lots of new faces and for us the ranking means nothing more than the fact that a target is on our back. We enjoy that pressure and realize that teams will be gunning for us,” fifth year goalkeeper Anthony Pinto said.
Pinto, a reigning first team All-Centennial and All-Region player, registered 63 saves through his 20 starts last season.
Pinto, and the rest of the team, additionally have their eyes set on the postseason. After being closer than ever to a National Championship last season, the team aims to take that next step.
“My fifth year class along with the true seniors only have one more shot at the ultimate goal: a national championship. But we understand that’s not given to you, it’s earned. It’s not a week-by-week process or even a game-by-game process. It’s a day-by-day process and we are going to enjoy every second we have with these group of guys,” Pinto said.
Entering the 2024 campaign, the Shoremen will begin their season with a pair of road contests starting at Lebanon Valley College on Friday, Aug 30.
“Our preparation process is pretty consistent with what we have been doing in previous years, which is a testament to our coaches and trainers and people that allow us to maximize our focus on soccer and playing our best…we have a determined group that has done a great job of making the most out of every game and training session,” senior midfielder Dominic Miller said.
The Shoremen open their season with a slew of non-conference adversaries before opening Conference play on Sept. 21, when the team will play host to Dickinson College.
“One of our most important stretches this season is our beginning slate of games. We play five in the first ten days, so it’s going to be important for us to start strong and continue building our identity in those opening couple of weeks,” Miller said.
WC will not see a ranked opponent until deep down the final stretch of the regular season. In the final four games of their schedule, the squad will travel to take on the 24 ranked Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays on October 23.
Subsequently, the team ends their schedule at the 17 ranked Franklin and Marshall College Diplomats on Nov. 2.
The Shoremen have fared well against the Diplomats, winning three of the last four meetings. The Shoremen have not been as lucky against the Blue Jays, losing three of the last four meetings.
In a loaded Centennial Conference, the importance of beating ranked teams is even more underscored in order to make a Conference tournament run and beyond.
“We are excited for the season, and we are super appreciative of the support we have received this year and previous years on campus. There were a ton of people at our preseason scrimmage last week which was awesome to see,” Miller said.
Photo courtesy of WC Athletics.
Photo Caption: Men’s soccer looks to keep building off the 2023 season; they start their campaign ranked as the fourth best team in Division III.