It’s soccer season again, and the men’s soccer team has started with a 0-0 tie against Anoka-Ramsey Community College on Aug. 25 in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Saxon LaFlash started in goal and played all 110 minutes, saving nine shots on the day. Sophomore Jonas Luskey-Sanders lead the team in shots with seven, including two on goal.

The WolfPack was outshot in the game 15-10 in regulation, but did have more shots in both overtimes 4-1. The shots on goal were 9-4. Anoka-Ramsey also led in corner kicks 8-3.

The tie starts the WolfPack 0-0-1 and third place in the conference on the on the fresh season.

The men’s program is shooting for a third season of at least 10 wins, after going 10-5-1 least season and 6-3-1 in the conference. The team brings back five players, including goalkeepers LaFlash and Msughter Abel Dzoho.

The duo split time last year, with 16 starts combined, and a goals-against average at 2.00 or below. The team will rely on the veteran pair to keep the ball out of the net.

Last year, Herrera Dejesus, a sophomore at the time, was much of the offense with 23 goals.  Of the returning players on this year’s squad, Sanders has the most goals with two.

The team will have a large incoming class with 16 freshmen. The five Big Eight Conference players, Bubacarr Bah, Jheison Garcia, Ian Marquandt, Kebba Saidy, and Ebrima Sallah will all have a chance to be regular contributors. Four were teammates from Sun Prairie High School, and three played for United Players Soccer Academy.

The next three games will see the WolfPack play one home game against Joliet Junior College on Aug. 31 in Madison at noon.

That will be followed by road games at Triton College in Illinois on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. and Harper College in Illinois on Sept. 7 at noon.