Men’s Soccer 2023 Preview
The Bluefield University men’s soccer team went 7-9 this past fall season, but new interim head coach Gabe Blakman is looking to improve on last season’s finish.
Going into his fourth year of coaching, three years as an assistant, Coach Blakman is looking to take advantage of his new role as interim head coach by taking the men’s soccer team to the next level. He said he has specific goals for the team to ensure that success.
“As a team, we have high expectations of making it to the conference tournament,” Blakman said. “We
have been working hard for it, and next year could be our year.”
After finishing 10th in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) last season, the Rams are looking to finish in the top eight in 2023, which would qualify the team for the AAC post-season tournament and give them a chance to advance and compete for a national championship.
Coach Blakman’s goals for 2023 are based on the expectations to compete, but to also build team confidence moving forward as he believes the team’s confidence in themselves is key to becoming a playoff contender.
“While our expectations are to make it to the tournament, our main goal is to believe,” Coach Blakman said, “and to know that we are capable enough to battle with any team in the conference. Once we
do that, we will earn our spot.”
It will help that the Rams have a lot of experience returning this fall. In fact, 15 starters are returning for the 2023 season, including 10 seniors. Coach Blakman said the team will depend heavily on the leadership of its returning seniors since they have competed in the conference for years and know what it takes to be successful.
“Our most experienced players are our seniors, no doubt,” Blakman said. “All of our seniors have played three years in the AAC, so they know what to expect and how to mentor the incoming class.”
Fifteen players, including 10 seniors will return to an experienced men’s soccer team this fall.
The team will also welcome several incoming freshmen who have played in competitive divisions of different countries, which will limit the learning curve and aid in the adjustment to the competition level of the AAC. Coach Blakman is confident their experience in competitive divisions around the world will allow them to play and have an impact immediately.
“We have a class of incoming freshmen that have played in a second or third division of Germany and Sweden, but the Appalachian Athletic Conference is another level of intensity,” Coach Blakman said.
With that kind of experience returning to the field and the promising new players joining the team, Coach Blakman is motivated, positive and excited heading into the 2023 season. He said he believes in his players’ ability to work hard, improve and compete — all the pieces needed to move closer to the goal of making the AAC playoffs.
Goalkeeper Jake Mendoza, who goes up for the save in this 2022 contest, is one of 10 seniors who will return to play for the Rams in 2023.
The Rams will open the 2023 at home against Toccoa Falls College on August 18 at East River Soccer Complex. To view the full Rams schedule, visit bcrams.com.