finished up a trip to California in which they lost both matches, both with a one-goal difference.
The Boxer men will return home with a record of 1-3. As a team that brings back more returners than newcomers for the first time since Eric Mild was hired as the head coach, the team hopes to gel like it did at the end of the previous season that saw the Boxers win in their final two matches.
“The quality of soccer we are playing up to this point is better than it was at the end of last season where we had so much success,” coach Mild said.
Elan Yogi returns as the lone senior and a voted captain on the roster for the team, and with him comes junior Matt Kimball, who will co-captain the team.
“Kimball is a great team leader, and Yogi is a great leader as well” Mild said of his captains. “These players have been through the experiences of traveling, match prep and are doing a great job educating the freshman.”
In a season one year ago, where goals came in scarce numbers, Mild accredited the youth and new players to this struggle.
Mild could not help but point out how the attack, led by the foot of Kimball, became much more dangerous towards the last games of the year.
“We are figuring out our team identity,” Mild said. “A lot more possession is coming and with that more chances. Next we just need to finish these chances.”
The men defeated UC Santa Cruz, 2-1 on Sunday and begin Conference play at home against Puget Sound Sept. 17.
They follow that up with a game against conference rival Pacific Lutheran Sept. 18 in Forest Grove at Hanson Stadium.
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