The Men’s Soccer 2nd team has been cut for the 2026 season. There were 46 players on the 2025 roster, and once the seniors, transferring players and 2nd team players were removed, the current roster came to 24 players. Associate Head Coach/ 2nd Team Head Coach John Greer has also resigned from his position on staff.
The purpose of a 2nd team or a reserve team is to act as a developmental platform that allows players to improve while still getting playing time. When the program started in 2011, there were many other second teams in the region. Scheduling a season that included 14 or more games was not an issue. However, as time went on, the idea became less and less popular. The number of games scheduled dwindled, and it wasn’t uncommon for the other team to cancel on the Eagles. This is what majorly factored into the decision to end the program.
A Men’s Club Soccer Team that will be starting at the university next fall. A club team is less competitive than a regular collegiate sport, but still allows for intercollegiate competition.
“We’re not replacing [the 2nd team] with a club team – that was never really the intention,” said Men’s Soccer Head Coach Benjamin Andrews. “We’re taking an opportunity away, so what could we do to provide another opportunity? We settled on a club team.”
Looking at recruiting in the future, Andrews doesn’t think that a smaller program will have a negative impact. He said it might, in fact,be beneficial.
“There’s an expectation to fill two rosters … Now, we’re looking at guys that are really good dudes and really good players,” said Andrews. “It allows us to be way more focused in our recruiting efforts; we’re more efficient. We don’t have to go for quantity over quality.”
The announcement of the 2nd team being cut came at the same time as the announcement that Coach Greer would be resigning, so the team had a bit of a shock. While some players were disappointed, Andrews said most of them understood the decision.
“As believers, we get to lean into our identity not just as a soccer player but as a child of God,” said Andrews. “Just because one opportunity is taken away doesn’t mean there’s not going to be 10 that replace it. I think that’s just how God works when we’re faithful.”
Soccer will come back to campus next fall and students will have the opportunity to watch the Men’s Soccer Team as well as the new Men’s Club Soccer Team.
