The LCCC men's soccer team, currently ranked 15th in the NJCAA Division I national poll, opened its season with a 3‑0 victory over Marshalltown CC, improving to a 1‑0‑1 record after a 2‑2 draw with Neoshoa County CC in the season opener.
Coach John Dunn, who led the Trailblazers to a 12‑5‑1 finish last year that concluded with a Region 24 championship loss to Illinois College, is emphasizing steady progress as the team integrates a large cohort of newcomers.
Eighteen freshmen are on the roster, and Dunn has expressed confidence that their development will be a key factor as the squad looks to tighten its defensive shape and limit the chances opponents create.
Among the newcomers, Cooper Ludwig of Liberty High School has already found the net twice in two appearances, scoring the team's first goal on Sunday.
A Challenging Schedule
The Trailblazers' upcoming fixtures present a stark test of quality. On Sept. 26 they travel to face Indian Hills Community College, the defending national champions, followed by a Sept. 28 home game against Iowa Western Community College at Glazebrook Park in Missouri.
Both Indian Hills and Iowa Western bring elite pedigree, having captured recent national titles, making the upcoming games a crucial benchmark for LCCC's aspirations.
Players such as Craig Moore, Daniel Gonzalez Gomez, Kaisai Noguchi, Tomu Yamaguchi, Simon Algourdin, Dylan Parry, Max Ruelke, David Sanchez, Takumi Uerea and Ryuichi Takeda are expected to contribute as the team navigates this demanding stretch.