WAVERLY, Iowa – Wartburg men's soccer will kickoff the 2023 season at home with a match against the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) at 4 p.m. Sept. 1 at Salzwedel Field.
Last Season
Wartburg finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 7-2-9 and an American Rivers Conference mark of 3-0-5. The Knights closed the regular season on an 11-match unbeaten streak, but fell in the first round of the A-R-C Tournament to end the season. The Orange and Black had four All-Conference honorees as well as two honorable mentions a season ago.
Season Outlook
The Knights will return eight starters from a season ago, including two All-Conference athletes in
Edvin Rizvic and
Brennon Woody, as well as
Curtis Ratzer who was an honorable mention. The Orange and Black will have five fifth year seniors returning in
Hunter Davis,
Alonso Pacheco,
Colton Praska, Rizvic and Woody. Woody returns this season inside Wartburg's career top-ten in: shutouts (14, third), most wins (20, fifth), goals against average (1.00, sixth) and saves per game (3.21, 10
th).
Wartburg look to build off last season's momentum in 2023, but the Knights are taking it one day at a time. "Progress needs to continue day by day" said head coach
Mike Madigan.
The Orange and Black were picked to finish third in the A-R-C preseason coaches poll. Loras led the way with five first place votes, followed by Luther in second with two first-place votes. Nebraska Wesleyan also received a first-place vote.
The non-conference schedule features some opponents that the Knights haven't played in recent history, with five non-conference matchups for the first time in six or more years (MSOE – 2014, Cornell – 2011, St. Scholastica – 2012, North Park University – 2007 and Saint John's – 2017). Monday, Sept. 25 will be the second annual "Battle for the Warhawk Knight Cup" between the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Wartburg in Whitewater, Wis.
Wartburg will add 13 first-year athletes to this year's roster to offset a senior class of 16. Coach Madigan is excited about the group as a whole: "Excited about how the diversity and different personalities of this team will help continue to create a great culture."
The Orange and Black will host eight home matches this season, including the season opener on Friday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. against MSOE.
