IU Columbus’ Jon Michael Bright (16) attempts to dribble past Saint Mary-of-the-Woods’ Jamie Gayol during a soccer match Oct. 19 at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex.
The Republic file photo
When Kevin Nolan was named the IU Columbus men’s soccer coach last summer, he had only about a month to get ready for the beginning of its inaugural season.
Still, the Crimson Pride exceeded expectations last fall by going 8-9-1, including 3-6-1 to finish eighth in the River States Conference and make the conference tournament.
“I got in late July when I got the job, so most of the team was already recruited,” Nolan said. “I was able to bring in five or six of my guys, and then at the end of the fall we released about half the team with guys that just weren’t at the level I wanted or weren’t bought in. So we ran the whole spring with 15 guys, and they all came back. They’re all still here. They’re our foundation, and then I was able to bring in another 15 this offseason, so we have half new guys and half returners.”
Heading the list of returners are All-Conference goalkeeper Jacob Kasarda, a sophomore from Crown Point, and Jon Michael Bright, a senior from Blue Ridge, South Carolina, whose eight goals ranked second in the RSC. Other returners include defenders Eduardo Cordova (sophomore, Columbus North) and Dylan Krueckebarg (sophomore, Angola); midfielders Kevin Cruz (senior, Goshen) Rick Sanchez (junior, Columbus East), Alejandro “Pollo” Alvarez (sophomore, Columbus North), Jake Hofelich (sophomore, Columbus East), Angel Roque (freshman, Tijuana, Mexico), Cung Mang (sophomore, Perry Meridian) and forward Alejandro Saldivar (sophomore Columbus East).
Goalkeeper Zach Roberts (junior, Columbus East) is back after sitting out last season. Among the incoming freshman are locals, midfielder Christian Cardoso (Columbus North) and defender Justin Sylva (Columbus East).
“A lot of guys will put their blood, sweat and tears into the practices,” Cardoso said. “It’s just a good family. The guys always want to be together, and they’re always wanting to practice for each other and get better and get better. If you mess up, they’ll let you know.”
“He’s been a big contributor already as a freshman,” Nolan added. “So he’ll be one of the guys that makes an immediate impact for us. Ever since we signed him, I feel like our awareness in Columbus, everybody has been following us now.”
The Crimson Pride also added defender Bryce Dolenc (sophomore, Westfield), a transfer from Marian University.
“I have high expectations for this group,” Nolan said. “I know already, it’s just a different vibe. The soccer IQ is a lot higher than it was last year.”
“The overall level of player we have and the depth of our roster for the men’s team is very good,” he added. “I’m very happy because I have a lot of people to pick from now, guys who I know who can come in off the bench and put in a shift. It’s making it real competitive for the guys, which is what we want. We want a competitive environment. Usually, when you bring in such a big class like we did, it’s kind of tough to get everybody on the same page and everybody liking each other and getting that family vibe, but these guys are already like brothers that hang out all the time. They’re laughing. The camaraderie at practice is great.”
Nolan, who also will be coaching the IUC women’s soccer team this fall, strengthened the men’s schedule. The Crimson Pride will open the regular season Saturday with a women’s-men’s doubleheader. The men will host Pikeville at 7 p.m. at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex.
“We beefed up our out-of-conference schedule just to get us ready for our conference schedule because we have two of the top teams in the country — West Virginia Tech and Rio Grande, who are always top-25, and they’re always competing for the conference championship,” Nolan said. “So I beefed up our schedule a lot just so we can get some more experience.”
The 2024 IUC men’s soccer schedule:
Saturday vs. Pikeville, 7 p.m.
Tuesday vs. Cincinnati-Clermont, 7 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Freed-Hardeman, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 at Fisk, TBA
Sept. 7 at Trinity Christian, 1 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. Marian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Taylor, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17 vs. IU Northwest, 6 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Georgetown, 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 vs. West Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 vs. Ohio Christian, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Brescia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Midway, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 vs. Rio Grande, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 vs. IU East, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Oakland City, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Shawnee State, 7:30 p.m.
