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WILEY UNIVERSITY WILDCATS
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Juan Reyes is one of 11 returners.
Juan Reyes is one of 11 returners.
Posted: Aug 21, 2024

Men's Soccer kicks off 2024 season against Nelson, North American

The Wiley University men's soccer team will open the 2024 season with a home match against Nelson University at 6 p.m. Thursday at Pemberton Field and a road match at North American University at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Wildcats begin their second season since the program restarted in 2023. It will be their first under the leadership of Andrew Benitez. Rafael Gonzalez, who restarted the program in 2022, was promoted to director of athletics in March. Wiley returns 11 players from last season's team, which went 3-9-1. Habimana Janvier led the team in scoring with five goals and three assists. Takumi Ota scored four goals and claimed one of the Continental Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week awards. Immanuel Hapisu tallied three goals and Peter Tu put up two. Team captains Rodrigo Rosales and Juan Reyes also return.

Thursday will mark the 10th meeting between Wiley and Nelson, formerly known as Southwestern Assemblies of God University. The Wildcats have only won two meetings against the Lions with their last win in 2015. Saturday will be the first time Wiley and North American have met on the soccer pitch.

The Lions are coming off a 10-12 season which ended with a berth in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship. Ethan Stewart led the team with 12 goals and two assists. John Garcia followed with nine goals and five assists. David Calvete Beltran won five games last season as starting goalkeeper and made 57 saves.

North American (1-1) split its opening matches with a 3-1 victory over Arlington Baptist University on Saturday and a 3-2 loss against ASC United New Stars. Thiago Cunha, Eric Landaverde, Jorge Torrecillas, Reynaldo Vanegas and Andrew Gonzalez have scored. Gino Burioni has made five saves at goal.

The Stallions went 6-9 and 5-8 in Red River Athletic Conference play in their first season last year. Henrii Guzman led the team with five goals and two assists.

For more coverage on the Wildcats visit https://wileyathletics.com/sports/msoc/index

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