SEASON RECAP: Clipper Men’s Soccer’s Rollercoaster Season Brings Big Lessons for the Squad

The Clipper Men’s Soccer team learned a lot about themselves this season. It was a challenging season for the men’s side, finishing the 2024 year with an overall record of 5 wins, 15 losses, and 1 draw and missing the playoffs once again. It was a year that saw a lot of new faces join and had the team figuring out an identity and style of play, even as the season got underway.

Head Coach Max Sampson admitted that it was a bit of a transition for the team with a plethora of new members joining the fray. “Having such a diverse group it did make it challenging to find an identity, a style of play, but by the end of the year we had it,” said Sampson. “Going from year one to year two, some things that have clearly improved were the understanding of tactics.”

It was a tough start to the season for the men’s squad as they faced three teams that made the NWAC semifinals in (eventual 2024 NWAC Champion) Peninsula, Everett, and Walla Walla during the preseason. Although they fought hard, the Clippers ended the preseason without a victory.

After a challenging preseason, the team looked forward to the start of the regular season and with the help of some promising play and results, it boosted team morale early on. “I think the biggest positive [of the season] is that we grew into the season and we came back from the bad preseason we had, in terms of results,” said Sophomore Midfielder Muhammad Diallo. “We had a few games where we played a good style of football and I think the whole team enjoyed that, playing a more passing and attacking football.”

Coach Sampson spoke highly about Diallo’s adaptability at the start of the season. “Early in the season, when we really struggled to find our scoring groove, Muhammad Diallo came in as our striker although he’s a true winger,” said Sampson. “I am sad because I only got to coach him for one season [with him] being a transfer. Not only does he score goals, he’s skilled and magically keeps the ball [while] under pressure. He is such a good person and I really enjoyed having him in the program.”

The first month of the season yielded some nice results for the Clipper Men’s Soccer team as they headed into October with a 3-2-1 record, one of those wins included a dramatic last-minute winner at home against Centralia.

However, October was a rollercoaster for the Clips as they started off the month with three consecutive losses, followed by two straight wins, and ended the season with four successive losses. With that, the Clippers finished in fourth place in the West Region, falling one spot short of a playoff appearance.

But don’t let the score lines from the end of the season fool you. The team chemistry grew by the day and the Clippers were at a point where they were finding their game they wanted to play.

Freshman Defender Grant Fischer echoed Coach Sampson’s words when asked about how chemistry increased as the season progressed. “We get here in July and start training a week later, so it’s hard to learn everybody’s name and everything about them, and go straight into playing soccer […] and figuring it all out in a very short period,” said Fischer.

Although this season was bittersweet for the whole team, there were some individual performers that received recognition and praise from the league.

Sophomore Defensive Midfielder Erik Olvera was named to the NWAC Athletes of the Week list for the week of September 23-29. Olvera received the Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week Award for his efforts in games against Rogue and Centralia.

Also, two members of the Clipper Men’s Soccer team were recognized by the NWAC for All-Star honors as Freshman Midfielder Alex Canning and Sophomore Defender Ethan Lattimer were selected to the West Region Second Team. Canning had a tremendous year, becoming an offensive threat for the Clippers as he led the team in goals scored this season with nine and was chosen to be one of the captains of the squad.

On the defensive side of the ball, Coach Sampson had nothing but praise for Lattimer and applauded his resiliency and dependability.  “A guy that I'd like to give a shoutout to who was really an unsung hero all year, wasn't talked about nearly enough is Ethan Lattimer. Coming in as a sophomore center-back, he was our most consistent player. Ball-winning player, worked his butt off technically to improve his first touch and he was a player that we relied on heavily all year,” said Sampson.

Even though this season did not meet the expectations of the team or the coaching staff, the Clippers have a lot to build off and look toward next year to break into the playoffs next season. Fischer was optimistic when looking forward to next season, “Next year we are going to have a lot more returning sophomores than we did this year; I think we have a good base and chemistry, and we are going to bring players that match our style. [During] the offseason, we are going to keep building together […] and hopefully continue to grow as a program.”