Northwestern State’s men’s soccer program has set an ambitious target for the upcoming campaign: to capture both the Southland Conference regular-season crown and the conference tournament title, a feat the team hopes will propel it back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.
A Season of Ambition
The Demon Deacons finished the previous season as regular-season champions, only to see their title hopes dashed in the semifinals by Houston Christian. That near-miss has fueled a renewed focus heading into the new year.
Head coach Ian Brophy, now in his second year at the helm, says the squad’s chemistry has improved dramatically during the two-week transition period that ended on July 14. ‘We’ve built a strong foundation,’ he said, noting the integration of five transfers and three freshmen who are already adapting to the program’s standards.
Among the returning All-Conference performers is senior captain Riley Stern, a fifth-year veteran who will anchor the midfield alongside teammates such as Paige Baumgartner, who praised the newcomers’ work ethic. Freshman forward Emma Pethel and midfielder Hosane Soukou are also expected to contribute immediately.
The preseason schedule begins with an exhibition match on August 5 at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, followed by a home friendly against Louisiana State University at Eunice on August 8. The regular season opens on August 12 with a high-profile showdown against the University of Oklahoma.
With the goal of a double title and an NCAA berth firmly in sight, the Demon Deacons are poised to turn preseason optimism into on-field reality.