A Return to Fundamentals
The Northeast Community College men’s soccer program, under the steady guidance of coach Adam Potter, is once again poised for a deep postseason run. After a national title three years ago, the Hawks have returned to the fundamentals that built their success, emphasizing teamwork, respect and relentless work ethic.
The 38‑player roster blends returning sophomores such as Tyrell Giwa, Charley Wilkening and Jochem Ostendorp with a wave of transfers from Wright State, Monroe CC and Murray State. Among the newcomers, Mathias Overgaard, Jaden Quemada, Joe Uveges and the highly touted freshmen Dylan Holden and Cas Frehe add depth and variety to the attack. Assistant coach Austin Backman has been instrumental in shaping the tactical framework that lets each player contribute.
Coach Potter has already named three of the intended captains — Mathias Overgaard, Oneil Mitchell and Dylan Holden — signaling a leadership core that mixes veteran poise with fresh energy. The group also includes Junyoung Park, Ingu Lee and Matheus Andrade Gomes, who have all earned minutes in recent scrimmages.
A recent scrimmage against the University of Nebraska at Omaha saw the Hawks hold their opponents scoreless for the first 60 minutes, a testament to the defensive cohesion that Potter values. The team opened the regular season with a 1‑0 victory over preseason‑ranked CCBC Essex and followed it with a 0‑0 draw against Howard Community College, results that underline the squad’s ability to grind out wins.
Looking ahead, the Hawks are scheduled to face Marshalltown Community College in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference on September 19, a match that will test their depth and adaptability as the season unfolds.