Men's Soccer | 08/25/23 | 9:52 AM

HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll College Men's Soccer team will play their first official game of the 2023 season this afternoon when they take on NCAA Division III opponent Whitworth at 3 p.m. in Spokane, Wash.

The Fighting Saints are under new leadership for the first time in program history. Head Coach Austin Shick was hired in February to replace Carroll's principal architect, Doug Mello, who retired after the completion of the 2022 season.

Now in its tenth season, the program will take a different approach under Shick, with the same goal of advancing to the top of the Cascade Collegiate Conference, and eventually a national presence.

The team has an influx of new talent, half of the 2023 roster are newcomers, with a mix of incoming freshman and several transfer players. The 15 newcomers have been welcomed in by the 15 Saints who are still with the program after the 2022 season.

Spending time together on the pitch, as well as outside of team activities, has been crucial for the new look Saints. Getting experience with each other, building team chemistry, and finding a rhythm has been the single most important part of Carroll's fall camp.

The Saints have two scrimmages under their belt this fall, providing Shick an opportunity to tinker with his lineup, evaluate his squad's talent level, and attempt to get his best 11 on the pitch for the new season.

Of the returning players, Caleb Hoxie (Helena, Mont. / SR), the homegrown talent, will be the man that everyone looks to in 2023. Hoxie is a proven leader, and will have the distinction of Carroll team captain for the season.

Luke Rosenberger (Eau Claire, Wisc. / SR), an Honorable Mention All-CCC selection in 2022, will also be instrumental to any success that the Saints hope to achieve in 2023. 

Another local product, Ryan Quinn (Helena, Mont. / SR), will be at the front of the Carroll attack, and the staff are excited at his scoring potential this season.

The Saints have tremendous depth in the net, with multiple goal keepers that can step in and play at any point.

Keep an eye on several of the new additions this season, including Enrcio Paparelli (Sao Paulo, Brazil / FR), Migelangel Kery (Rockville, Md. / FR), Sean Balen (Mukitelo, Wash. / FR), and Michal Mojzis (Bratislava, Slovakia / JR).

The Saints will square off with Whitworth this afternoon at 3 p.m., and will play a final exhibition match of the year while in Washington tomorrow afternoon against Spokane Falls Community College.

Live stats for this afternoon's contest can be found HERE.

Visit www.carrollathletics.com this evening for a recap of the game's events, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.