By Allison Hernandez, Staff Writer
The Newman University men’s soccer team is making waves this season, currently sitting with an overall record of 6-5 and a 3-2 record in conference play.
Led by head coach Victor Domingues and assistant coach Victor Machado, the team has shown steady progress, overcoming various challenges while staying focused on its long-term goals, the coaches said.
Reflecting on the season so far, Machado praised the team’s unity and drive.
“The team's performance has been incredible," he said. "From the first training sessions, we saw that everyone was on the same page. The players have shown leadership, discipline, and hunger to achieve the goals we have as a team.”
One of the key highlights of the season was the team’s 5-3 victory on Sept. 25 over conference rival Southern Nazarene University, which at the time was ranked No. 22 nationally.
“That game was crucial,” Machado said. “We needed to set a standard as a team, and thankfully, we came out with the win, and it showed us that we are capable of competing against anyone.”
But the season hasn’t all been smooth sailing, he said. The team has faced a number of injuries, forcing it to rely on the depth of its roster.
"However, we’ve been able to overcome this obstacle by rotating players without compromising our system and philosophy,” Machado said. “The depth and talent of our squad have been critical in making sure we continue to play at a high level."
Machado said that every player has contributed to the team's success.
“The seniors have shown great leadership, while the freshmen have shown a real commitment to learning and improving,” Machado said. “That balance has created great chemistry within the team, which makes achieving our goals just a little bit easier.”
As the team moves into the latter stages of the season, its goals remain ambitious.
“Our main objective is to win nationals," Machado said, "but we take it day by day, game by game.”
Machado said that players can’t expect to win everything if they don’t first take care of the basics — training hard, resting well, and getting proper nutrition.
The coaching staff is also mindful of the players’ responsibilities off the field as student-athletes and makes sure to check in on their mental and physical well-being.
“It’s critical that we maintain communication with the players to understand how they’re feeling both mentally and physically," Machado said. "Having a mature and responsible team gives us peace of mind, knowing they understand the right mentality to end the season strong and carry that momentum into the postseason and help us reach our goal.”
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Athletics
