Men's Soccer Opens 2023 Season in Wisconsin

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The 2023 regular season for the Mastodon men's soccer team gets underway this week when the 'Dons head to the Badger State to take on Wisconsin (Aug. 24) and Marquette (Aug. 27).

Game Day Information
Who: Wisconsin Badgers
When: Thursday, August 24 | 8 PM ET
Where: Madison, Wis. | McClimon Track/Soccer Complex
Live Stats: Link
Watch: B1G+
Know Your Foe: The Badgers were 6-6-4 (3-4-1 Big Ten) last season. They were edged in the Big Ten Tournament in penalty kicks by Rutgers. The Badgers were picked sixth in the 2023 preseason poll. Tim Bielic is back in 2023, he had a team-best six assists last season. Nate Crockford was the starting goalie at UCLA last season, but has transferred to Wisconsin for the 2023 campaign. Neil Jones is in his second season as the Badgers head coach. He previously coached at Loyola Chicago from 2013-2021 picking up a pair of Missouri Valley Conference titles along the way.
Series History: The 'Dons are 0-2 all-time against Wisconsin, falling in 2006 and 2013.

Who: Marquette Golden Eagles
When: Sunday, August 27 | 4 PM ET
Where: Milwaukee, Wis. | Valley Fields
Live Stats: Link
Watch: FloSports
Know Your Foe: The Golden Eagles were 5-9-4 (1-5-4 Big East) last season with their lone league win coming over St. John's to close out the regular season. Senior midfielder Edrey Caceres returns this year after starting every contest last year, scoring four goals with seven assists. Louis Bennett is in his 18^th season as head coach of the Golden Eagles. His squads advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2013 and 2021. Saturday's match will be the first of two in a span of three matches in the city of Milwaukee for the 'Dons. They will play a Horizon League match at Milwaukee on Sept. 9.
Series History: This will be the first ever Division I meeting with Marquette. The 'Dons fell 2-1 in 1996 to Marquette.

B1G Foes
Wisconsin will be the Mastodons' third Big Ten foe this season already. The 'Dons played exhibitions against Michigan State and Michigan.

Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back
A few returners to note this year for the 'Dons:
- Abe Arellano returns for this sophomore campaign, he had four assists last season to tie for 10th in the Horizon League. He played in all 15 games with nine starts.
- Romario Simpson is in his fourth season as a Mastodon, he started 12 games last season with a goal against Milwaukee.
- Seth Mahlmeister had a Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week honor last season with two goals and an assist in a win over Milwaukee.
- Michael Teller has started 32 games for the 'Dons in three years. He has played 2655 total minutes.
- Adam Hunt and Danny Salazar, who split time in goal last season, both return in 2023.
- Daniel Tareke played in eight games with five starts for the 'Dons last season.

Welcome To Fort Wayne
A few newcomers to note:
- Juan Romero is a 6'2" midfielder who was the JCAA Region V Player of the Year at Western Texas Community College last season.
- Luke Morrell comes to the 'Dons after playing at Michigan State last season. Prior to that he was a Horizon League All-Freshman Team pick in 2018 and a Second Team selection in 2019 with Oakland.
- Max Collingwood is a transfer goalkeeper from NCAA Division II Colorado Christian. He was the 2022 RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year.

International Love
The Mastodons boast seven international players on the 2023 roster. Romario Simpson, Daniel Tareke, and Joel Opoku are all from Ontario, Canada, while Alex Frank and Max Collingwood are both from New Zealand. Additionally, Marc Rodriguez is from Spain and Soshi Fujioka is from Japan.

Up Next
The 'Dons will hold their 2023 home opener on Friday, Sept. 1 against Bellarmine in a 1 p.m. start.

~ Feel The Rumble ~

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Players Mentioned

Abe Arellano

Max Collingwood

Alex Frank

Soshi Fujioka

Adam Hunt

Seth Mahlmeister

Luke Morrell

Joel Opoku

Marc Rodriguez

Juan Romero

Danny Salazar

Romario Simpson

Daniel Tareke

Michael Teller

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics