While most people refer to the ‘Freshman 15’ as undesired college weight, the Ithaca College men’s soccer team has welcomed 14 energetic new additions, helping pave the way for a successful start to the season.
With a new coaching staff in place as of last spring, led by head coach Gabe Kuhn, the 37-man roster has shown potential to take the Liberty League by storm and highlight its younger players.
Despite being the team’s largest, the first-year class has already formed a close bond and brings a variety of skills and strengths to the table.
While many of them did not know that they would be coming in as 1/14, some factors that brought them here were the campus environment, academics, coaches, and athletic facilities that Ithaca has to offer. On his visit, “campus felt like home away from home,” first-year defender Braedon Jerrom said.
Additionally, a first-year player from Rhode Island, Ben White, spoke to the IC community’s influence on his commitment. With his sister already playing on the women’s team, White took a liking to players from both teams, as well as what he saw from the athletic training staff. “I knew I would be taken care of if I ever got injured,” he said.
The connection among the freshmen is one thing many of them describe loving about their class. “We all hang out together, there’s never any cliques or anyone alone,” White said.
First-year midfielder Trevor Barrett reinforced this by explaining the security of always knowing “you’re going to have someone there.”
This freshman connection stems from the team culture amongst all the players, an aspect of the team that nearly all first-years praised. As his favorite part of the team, Abbott defined the team culture as “everyone’s a family, everyone’s accountable for each other, so it’s pretty cool like a family away from home,” he said.
Whether it’s due to the team bonding or Kuhn’s environment goals for the team, many players continually express appreciation for the support they have.
“I’ve never felt this culture and team experience where everyone was there for each other no matter what,” Jerrom said.
As far as their athletic success with an unbeaten streak, Kuhn attributes this to his team’s goal of holding themselves to high standards and never becoming “complacent.”
“It’s like there’s never a day when we’re just slacking. We work hard every day. It’s always competition every single day,” freshman Emile Antoine said.
Their technical skills and personalities are traits that Kuhn highlights in this year’s freshmen. With a strong work ethic and commitment to being connected on and off the field, the group has begun embracing the expectations the head coach wants to carry on.
“They are great individuals, and I believe this class will play an important role in shaping the future of our program,” he said.
