Since taking over the Madison College men's soccer team in 2013, taking a small step forward has been the modus operandi for head coach Cory Sims. However, in 2016 that small step became a giant leap with a record-setting season that has coaches, players, and fans, a like, excited for what's to come this fall. In addition, the team will break in the brand new Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East as their new home, featuring a 100% synthetic field that will allow the WolfPack to play at the same venue every game this season. And the team will open the year as part of the national conversation, sitting just outside the top ten of the Preseason NJCAA Division III Poll as one of five teams receiving votes.

The 2016 team posted a 14-2-2 record, won the program's first ever North Central Community College Conference (N4C) title, and reached the Region IV Division III Championship Game for the first time. Much of the success was thanks to the contributions of twins, Jake Andrews and Toby Andrews, who initially signed a Letter of Intent to play the upcoming season at NCAA Division II Chaminade University in Hawaii. The first team all-conference and all-region duo eventually reversed that decision, re-enrolled at Madison College, and rejoined the soccer team for one more season. Toby, a NJCAA All-American and the N4C Most Valuable Player, tallied 15 goals and seven assists, while Jake led the team in points after netting 14 goals and 14 assists. Also back is Ricardo Ramos, a midfielder/forward that scored two goals and had five assists as one of five players to see time all 18 matches during his freshman season, defender Michael Bravick, who missed all of last season due to injury, and goaltender Blake Dehn, who posted 210 minutes of shutout soccer in four games last year.

"We have a good group of strong leaders returning," boasts Sims, who has compiled a 32-26-6 record in his four seasons at Madison College. "Each one of these players has been a great performer on and off the field. Mike is the emotional leader of the group, who is poised to have a big impact this season. Ricardo, Toby, and Jake were part of a potent attack last season. We expect them to pick up where they left off and contribute significantly to our offense. Blake is moving into the starting role at goalkeeper and has been preparing diligently every day."

To fill in the rest of the gaps in the 2017 roster, the WolfPack welcomed in a very deep and talented Class of 2017. Of the 15 first year players, Coach Sims believes several of the newcomers will make an immediate impact, like midfielders Vital Nizigiymana and Daniel Gutierrez, defender Matthew Johnson, and midfielder/forward Marco Peruzzo.

"Vital will bring a lot of versatility and skill to our midfield group. He's an excellent player with a good, hard-working attitude. Matt can play anywhere in the middle of the field. He's comfortable on the ball, has a good passing range, and reads the game well. Marco has good strength and speed to go along with good technical ability. He'll be very important in our attack this season. Danny is a very attack-minded player who can play anywhere in the wide areas of the field. He will play a big role in our success this season."

The battle for the N4C title was a three team race last season, with Madison College edging out Harper College by a game and Triton College by two games in the loss column. The Hawks eliminated the WolfPack from the postseason with a 3-1 decision in Madison last year, and join the 'Pack in the receiving votes category of the national polls.

"We have familiar opposition this season and our conference schedule, as usual, will be challenging," noted Sims. "There is a lot of excitement about the new surroundings in which we'll be playing, and rightfully so. We are looking forward to an electric atmosphere."

Speaking of the new digs, Coach Sims says the team has really taking a liking to the unbelievable facility.

"It's very nice. It starts to feel like home and you start to truly believe that you have a home field advantage when you train on it every day. You make it your own, you've got the WolfPack ensignia everywhere, and it's part of the campus, so the guys feel like they are cared for and taken care of and want to represent the school well."

The 2017 season begins with the first ever home Madison College soccer match to be played at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East when Malcolm X College comes to town on Tuesday, August 22. Kickoff is at 7pm. The WolfPack will play their first three contests on the home turf, with the second game serving as Alumni Night and the finale coming as the N4C opener on August 30 against Joliet Junior College. Select home matches, and some select away matches, will be streamed live at MadisonCollege.TV, as well as live on the Madison College Athletics Facebook and YouTube accounts.

Follow WolfPack men's soccer: Facebook | Twitter