Men's Soccer Ready to Begin 2024 Season on Saturday

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's soccer team is set to kick off its 2024 season on Saturday, August 24 with a home match against Shawnee State University at CH4 Stadium at 7:00 pm.

Head Coach Zach Ganzberg's team finished the 2023 season with a 7-10-1 overall record and a 2-6-1 mark in Crossroads League play.

After missing the Crossroads League Tournament in 2023, MVNU looks to get back in this season. The team will be anchored by the senior leadership of six players, including Zack Bowser, Caio Carrara, Sam Hershey, Aaron Jolly, Jordan McMahon, and Diego Shaw, who will help guide the incoming new pieces.

Bowser and Jolly are MVNU's leading returning goal scores as each finished with five goals last season. Jolly also added five assists in 2023. Hershey returns for his fifth year and will provide a veteran presence in the middle of the field for MVNU. Hershey scored two goals and contributed with three assists last fall.

Ganzberg is bringing in an influx of new talent to enhance the team's depth and strength. The newcomers include Valen Alvarado, Brayden Pierson, Julius Blumenauer, Dany Chassin, Duarte Pimentel, Samuel Kwakye, Camryn Beauford, Matias Davalos, Joao Brito e Cunha, Kevin Ngula, Garrett Stacy, Aiden McCrory, Cooper Staubach, Hudson Owen, Kaiden Hawes, Jaden Beachy, and Christian Dean.

With key veterans returning and a lot of fresh new talent coming into the mix, Ganzberg's team is looking to improve upon 2023 and have a successful fall season.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.