MEN'S SOCCER LOADED WITH DEPTH AND TALENT IN 2025

(SAN DIEGO) After winning back-to-back PacWest titles and making consecutive NCAA postseason appearances for the first time in program history, PLNU Men’s Soccer hopes to make that three in-a-row in 2025.

“The main thing is just to get better,” Head Coach Phil Wolf said. “We're constantly trying to get better and of course we want to win trophies, but we feel like trophies come as a result of improvement and better performances.

“I think we have a group that's going to be able to perform better, and that doesn't necessarily mean in this game that you're going to win, but I think we can perform better than we have. We're all about winning trophies and there's four to win - the conference regular season, the conference tournament, the super regional and the national championship. We're trying to get as many of those as we possibly can.”

Helping the team’s pursuit of trophies is its combination of depth and talent.

“I think it's the deepest team we've had, and I think it's also the most talented team we've had at Point Loma,” Wolf said. “We’re close to almost two players in every position of some real quality, so in that way I think we're set up nicely to go into a college soccer season with game upon game.

“It's basically a 10-week season with lots of games in those ten weeks. I think we're set up nicely and the talent level is very, very good. I feel very confident in whomever we choose to use, that everyone's at a pretty decent level.”

Point Loma was picked again to finish first in the PacWest Conference this season and is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.

ROSTER

Wolf specifically highlighted the team’s central midfield as its deepest spot on the field. The team returns All-PacWest midfielders Simon Sagal and Gael Ruiz, as well as senior Niko Kaczmarczyk, while welcoming transfers Curtis Collazos and Diego Chavez from Cal State San Marcos along with freshman Inaki Santamarina.

“I think the push for them is going to be how many goals and assists can they provide,” Wolf said. “We’re pretty confident that our front three will find their goals, but it's just going to be a matter of how many other players can find goals and I think the interiors are obviously a big starting spot.”

PLNU’s most notable returnee is reigning PacWest Player of the Year and D2CCA All-American Elijah Langford, who scored 10 goals and added eight assists a season ago. He will be joined up front by fellow All-PacWest performers Emmett Layman and Zack Mercieca.

Cole Friesen, the all-time leading scorer at Whitworth University, joins the Sea Lions and can play both in the midfield and forward lines. Returners Keoni Young, Christopher Burgos Lara and Oz Rocca will add valuable attacking depth, as will freshman Frankie Garton.

“I feel really good about every position and the depth at each one,” Wolf said. “We do have a bit of flexibility between the players because a lot of guys can play multiple positions.”

Not to be outshined is PLNU’s back line, which welcomes back PacWest Defender of the Year Ryan Doyle in central defense. James Metcalfe has switched from center mid to central defender, while the team also brought in center back transfers Lisandru Susini (Limestone), Gage Wasserman (Cal State San Marcos) and Ian Garcia (Chaminade).

Shawn O’Brien and Kaelele Fernandez are back as returning starting outside backs from last year, with Cal State Monterey Bay transfer Zion Yeboah expected to play significant minutes as well.

“I think any of them could start,” Wolf said. “I think those guys are really good players and they can also contribute to our attack, so we’re excited about them.”

All-PacWest goalkeeper Jeremy Caringella returns for his sophomore season and will be joined between the sticks by Cal State Fullerton transfer Joshua Naumoff and incoming freshman Gonzalo Gurrola.

“We have three really capable goalkeepers whom I’d feel comfortable using all of them from what I've seen,” Wolf said. “Josh coming from a Division I level, Gonzo being a Surf ECNL kid and obviously Jeremy having a good first year. I’m really happy with them and I think I think you can play any of three and be very secure.”

SCHEDULE

Point Loma opens its season on Thursday against Cal State San Bernardino at 4:30 p.m. before traveling to play at preseason No. 18 Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday.

PLNU will then play four of its five remaining non-conference games at home, including against Colorado School of Mines (Sep. 11), Regis (Sep. 13), Cal State Dominguez Hills (Sep. 18) and Westmont (Sep. 27).

“We've always tried to play the best teams and we continue to do that,” Wolf said. “The CCAA is one of the best leagues in the country and for good reason. They have some of the best teams in the country, so all those games are really tough starting with San Bernardino. That's a team we haven't beaten yet, so it’s a very tough ask at the beginning of the year.

“You throw in the two Colorado schools and then obviously historically those two PacWest games that we're playing out of conference, those are historically the two best programs in the league.”

The Sea Lions will then seek a third straight PacWest regular season championship, beginning their conference title defense on Oct. 2 at home versus Menlo.

Point Loma will conclude its 10-game conference schedule against Fresno Pacific on Senior Day (Nov. 8), with the top four teams in the PacWest standings qualifying for the PacWest Championships (Nov. 13-15) in Santa Barbara.

“I imagine this will be the toughest and deepest year that we've had, playing against some really good teams,” Wolf said of the conference slate. “It’s going to be a big challenge.”

PLNU will then hope to make it back to the NCAA postseason, which is scheduled to begin on Nov. 20.

For the team’s full schedule, click HERE.