JWU Men’s Soccer Crowned National Champions Fall ‘22:

A serene weekend to say the least. From the first step onto the bus to the final step off where we were greeted by our women’s soccer team at two in the morning the week was nearly a fairytale. One that no one could’ve predicted after the season prior. 

After nine long months of work & dedication, we took things a step back this season. Shifted our focus. Starting on August 8th we didn’t focus on the national tournament, but rather on our first pre-season game against Queen City FC, and we took care of business in a 3-1 win. Afterward, we focused on the next game, Coker. Took care of business there too. Then the first game of the regular season, Columbia College. Our first challenge. Not on the pitch, but rather mentally. We were in the locker room waiting to play for about three hours after a storm delayed the game right after kick-off. However, this season we chose to be adaptable. We didn’t complain. We enjoyed it as best as we could, and when we stepped back on the pitch we took care of business. Now, the season wasn’t flawless. We lost some games, tied some games, won most, but we set standards and stuck to them this year. Through wins, losses, ties, or anything else we didn’t complain, we worked through it. We held each other accountable, and by the time we were focused on the next game, it was the final game. The game to be crowned as National Champions, or runner-up. 

We knew what sounded better to us. We knew we were the best team in the tournament through our preparation from the previous nine months. Now it was just time to prove it. The games came quick one after another after getting to relax for our first two days in Virginia Beach, but there was never a second we were in doubt. Even through the most stressful game of the tournament. The first game against Penn State: Brandywine, the number one seed in the tournament. A 3-3 thriller that went into OT and PKs that JWU came out on top of. Our energy flooded the field when Louis Bosi stepped up ice-cold, and put the game to rest. This game nearly felt like winning the whole thing. Our momentum and faith within ourselves carried us the rest of the way nearly with ease. Almost too easy for the Wildcat’s who brought the trophy home and crowned Coach Kroft the ‘Winner’ of it all. 

Oh, and don’t worry we’ll be getting our rings sized soon.

Evan Retzlaff