By After a historic 2024 season, the Carroll College Men’s Soccer team geared up for their first-ever appearance in the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship on November 21.
The Saints’ overall success in 2024 earned them one of 40 spots in the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship. Carroll traveled to Claremore, Oklahoma, where they competed in a three-team pod for the first round of the tournament, with the first match on Thursday, November 21. The Saints faced Hope International University (14-3-3) in the opening round, with the winner advancing to take on No. 2-seed Oklahoma Wesleyan.
The Fighting Saints defeated Hope International University winning 2-1 allowing them to advance to the second round. However, Oklahoma Wesleyan shut out the Saints with a 4-0 loss.
Even though the Saints fell short in the National Championship, they still capped off a remarkable season by securing the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) regular season title and advancing to the conference championship match.
“Winning the conference has meant so much to everyone involved in this program, especially for us seniors, as winning the first trophy in our program’s history was the first thing on our minds when we stepped onto campus for the first time,” said Jacob Demmons, a senior business major from Helena. “From the lowest of lows, to the highest of highs, we are beyond proud to leave this team better off than we found it.”
Following a remarkable season as CCC Regular Season Champions, this team dominated the individual awards, with Felix Billard, Justus Herrmann, Tristan Skerritt, Juan Muniz Navarrete, Alfie Snow, and Head Coach Austin Shick all earning top honors. The team also placed eight players on the All-Conference teams.
Felix Billard, a sophomore psychology major forward from Mallorca, Spain, was named Offensive Player of the Year after leading the CCC in points (24) and goals (11) during the regular season. Billard’s standout performance also earned him two CCC Offensive Player of the Week awards and one NAIA National Player of the Week honor.
Justus Herrmann, a freshman from Weil am Rhein, Germany studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year, while Juan Muniz Navarrete, a senior Business major hailing from Hermiston, Oregon, was honored as Goalkeeper of the Year. Alfie Snow, a junior psychology major from Middlesbrough, England, was named Newcomer of the Year. Head Coach Austin Shick was recognized as Coach of the Year for his leadership throughout the season.
