By On Sunday, Sept. 17, the Carroll College men’s soccer team beat Rocky Mountain College for the first time in history.
“Our ability to break through and do something that’s never been done before is just exhilarating and really shows the type of team we are and can be,” said Matt Wigton, a senior business major from Annapolis, Md.
“One of our team goals was to beat Rocky this year because we’ve never beaten them,” said Michael Klooster, sophomore health sciences major from Belmont, Mich.
On that fateful day in September, the Men’s Soccer Fighting Saints did just that. The Fighting Saints left Bears territory celebrating a 2-0 win over previously undefeated Rocky Mountain College with goals by Michal Mojzis, a junior biology major on the premed track from Bratislava, Slovakia, and Enrico Paparelli, a freshman business financial planning major from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
This unprecedented win comes with the arrival of the new Head Coach of the Fighting Saints Men’s Soccer Team, Austin Shick, and 16 newcomers (11 freshmen and five transfers).
Before heading into the match, Shick stated that it is “very clear we have a very strong group of players, and that’s very exciting.” With seven of the 11 consistent starters being sophomores or freshmen, Shick commented that “the future is very bright for the young.”
The youth brought to the team has already brightened up their season.
Ryan Croft, a senior business major and goalkeeper from Fleming Island, Fla., commented that compared to last season, “everyone on the team is more confident going into the season and conference play by a long shot.”
After a grueling preseason with three practices daily and new fitness tests, Shick confidently stated that his players were “ready for the season and excited for the challenge” with a “proper preseason” already behind them.
Soccer is not the sole thing on the minds of these Saints, however.
Shick, who often puts on his own cleats to join in practices, stated that the most important thing he wanted to teach his players was how to be “good humans.”
He commented on his hope to build good friendships with his players and to teach them how to have both great soccer and life skills.
“Getting over this hurdle of beating Rocky sets a high standard for us and makes us more excited for both this season and the success that it will bring along after,” said Wigton.
The Helena community will have to stay tuned to see how the Carroll men’s soccer team continues to do throughout their season. With this win under their belt against a tough competitor, the future does indeed seem very bright for these Fighting Saints.
