By Temo Olvera/Managing Editor

Missouri Valley College’s Men’s Soccer team is starting this year with a home game against Columbia College. The Vikings play the Cougars on Tuesday at 7:30 on Gregg-Mitchell Field.

This is the first ranked game for the Vikings. Triple-digit heat got the game against Ottawa University canceled last Wednesday. The week before that, the Vikings played a scrimmage against Truman State University. 

“It’ll be a good test,” said Men’s Soccer Team Captain, Jacob Adams They’re obviously a good team… In our conference, we have a lot of good teams… For the new boys or the boys who haven’t experienced that first-team performance yet, I think it’ll be good to get into the swing of things with Colombia.”

Columbia’s men’s team is ranked No. 14 in the preseason coaches poll. The Vikings are No. 7, the highest-ranked team from the Heart of America Conference. Central Methodist sits at No. 12 and Mid-American Nazarene is ranked No. 15.

“This is just a starting point,” said Men’s Head Soccer Coach, Vladimir Simic. “We have to build on that and try to move up in the rankings. That poll means maybe guaranteed national tournament at the end of the season if you keep top ten.”

The Vikings play the No. 6 ranked Mid-American Christian Evangels next. Simic said the team plans to stay in the top ten one game at a time. 

The Vikings finished their 2022 season ranked No. 11. The team had an overall 15-5-1 record and went 10-2 in the conference. The Vikings also played in the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship quarterfinal round.

“This year I want to go the whole way,” said Adams. “Everyone seems fired up.”

All-Americans Kazuki Hashimoto and Sam Green return to the field along with six freshmen. Green led the team in points last season, scoring 17 goals and eight penalty kicks. 

“Sam Green MVP last season should get some more goals,” said Adams. “We’ve got a few new players that we need to look out for. Kerim [Akpinar}, striker, freshman. Hopefully, lots of goals from him this season.”