The schedule for the 26^th season of Murray State Women’s Soccer finds the Racers hosting 11 games at Carlisle Cutchin Field beginning with a pair of exhibition matches against Western Kentucky (Aug. 2) and Bellarmine (Aug. 8).

The Racers host Troy, Lindenwood, Tennessee Tech, Marshall and Southeast Missouri prior to opening their fourth season in the Missouri Valley Conference at Illinois State (Sept. 18).

MSU’s first home games in the 2025 MVC season happen (Sept. 25) against Northern Iowa and Drake (Sept. 28).

The nine-game MVC schedule finishes with a trio of road games at UIC (Oct. 23), Valparaiso (Oct. 26) and Indiana State (Oct. 30).

In 2025, the MVC Tournament will be played among the top-6 teams from the regular season. The event begins with quarterfinal matches hosted by the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds with the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds hosting the semifinals and the highest remaining seed being host for the championship (Nov. 9).

The MVC season closes out at Northern Iowa (Oct. 24) and at Drake (Oct. 27), before the MVC Tournament is hosted at various campus sites (Oct. 31, Nov. 3, Nov. 7 & Nov. 10).

Follow the Racers on Twitter (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State women’s soccer on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersSoccer).
 

By Robert Wilson

      Kevin Johns is the most successful youth coach in Mississippi Soccer Association history with 24 state championships for the Jackson Futbol Club/Mississippi Rush and also has two decades of men’s college soccer coaching experience at Mississippi College.

Johns will now bring that championship level coaching to Jackson Prep.

      He replaces Jon Marcus Duncan, who resigned to go work for his father, Jimmy Duncan, after winning 30 boys and girls state championships in 25 seasons at Prep and becoming the winningest high school soccer coach in Mississippi history.

      Johns – a Clinton High alumnus who played on the 1992 Belhaven College NAIA national championship team – has been coaching with the Jackson Futbol Club since 1993 and has been director of coaching for JFC/Mississippi Rush since 2010. He was the men’s soccer coach at MC from 2003 to 2025 and was the Conference Coach of the Year four times and has 222 collegiate career wins. Johns also was the assistant coach and assistant general manager for the minor league professional team Jackson Chargers for two years.

“I had heard about Jon Marcus possibly stepping away from Prep after this past season,” Johns said. “I have known Jon Marcus for over 28 years. I have known his family also, great family and great people. His dad is someone I always enjoyed spending time with and chatting with about life and soccer. I actually coached Jon Marcus on a ODP team in Cocoa Beach, Florida, back when he was in high school. Jon Marcus was a very good player, a very talented athlete.”

Johns knows about Prep’s rich traditions of success on the field and as a school.

“Prep’s long history of success on the field and in the classroom really made me interested in looking at the job,” Johns said. “Also, I thought it would be a great move for my family (wife Emily and 7-year-old son Davis). To be a part of the Prep family for me and my family. I did some chatting with people about Prep and friends of mine that I consider mentors of mine, and everything was pointing me to really look into the possibility of becoming a coach at Prep. I spent some time praying about the decision and chatting with my family about this great opportunity. After meeting with the leadership at Prep and (Prep athletic director) Will Crosby a few times, I felt like this was a great move for me and my family to join the Prep staff.”

Johns knows expectations are high for this program.

      “We are at Prep, and we represent Prep athletics,” Johns said. “Our goal will always be to be finish at the top. But I also want to make sure our players enjoy the journey and the process of getting to the top. We will strive to be a team that grows during this process and always believes in each other while we push for our success. I look forward to the challenges ahead and to continue the successes of Prep soccer that Jon Marcus has installed in this program during his time here at Prep.”

      “I’ve known Kevin a long, long time,” Duncan said. “He took our Mississippi ODP soccer team to Cocoa Beach the summer of ’93. He was my coach, and it was there that I realized Kevin was a players’ coach. He was always looking out for what was best for the team and each player. Kevin pushed me that summer at ODP camp and I was fortunate enough to make the ODP regional team. My summers of college were spent playing for the Jackson Chargers where Kevin was an assistant coach. I always admired how passionate he was about the game of soccer. When I started working at Prep in 2000, he immediately approached me about helping with JFC. He saw my enthusiasm as a young coach and wanted me involved as soon as I was ready. We’ve kept a great relationship throughout the years. A few Prep graduates have gone on to play for Kevin at Mississippi College. I have full confidence that Kevin will keep the winning tradition going at Jackson Prep. He was the first coach to call me and inquire about the job when he found out I was leaving. We had a great 15-minute conversation and right there and then I knew he was the perfect fit for the job. Kevin has great respect and admiration throughout Central Mississippi and the entire state from soccer coaches. I’m so happy for him and can’t wait to see the heights that he will take the program.”

      “We are very excited about Coach Johns taking over both soccer programs at Prep,” Prep athletic director Will Crosby said. “From the soccer standpoint, his record and resume speak for themselves. One of the things that’s special about Kevin is how familiar he already is with the Prep family. He has coached so many Prep students through JFC and Rush, many of our families already know him. There was such a positive reaction when we made the announcement about him taking over, it was a reassuring feeling knowing we got the right guy.”

Johns started playing soccer at an early age and realized he wanted to be a coach as a teenager.

“I started playing soccer when i was six or seven years ago, my older brother played and was just following in his footsteps,” Johns said. “Once I got involved, a lot of my friends were playing, and I realized it was the sport I enjoyed the most.
         

“I always knew I wanted to be a coach, I really realized it around the age of 17 or 18. Attending Belhaven college made me truly fall in love with soccer. It made me more passionate about the game. Peter Fuller, who was the head coach at Belhaven College, was someone I really learned from, and he asked me to help coach a team with him when I was 20. No question, he is the coach who helped me fall in love with the coaching profession. Pete won a NAIA National Championship with Belhaven and University of Mobile, quite an accomplishment.”

      Johns deflects credit from himself for the success.

      “My coaching success is down to my love and passion for soccer and being blessed with great kids and great players that I have coached,” Johns said. “I think you need to have a belief in your players, and they must have confidence that as their coach I have faith in them as people and players. I have always believed that if your players understand you care for them as people and players, they will work harder for you and the program. Team is always an important word for me as a coach. No one is more important than the team and the program. You don’t do things right once in a while, you strive to do them right all the time. That builds a strong culture.”

      “Kevin Johns has had a monumental impact on my life both as a coach and as a leader,” said Daniel Lang, who played at Prep and played for Johns at MC from 2011-2015 when the Choctaws were nationally ranked and went to several NCAA tournaments. “I think one of the most important traits her has as a coach besides having a championship mentality is his relationship with his players. He is more of a father figure for his players than anything. Obviously, results matter but he cares more about their future than the results. I think that is why he has had so much success over the years, and he will continue to win at Prep. He won’t settle for anything less than their best and that no one person is more important than the entire team. It was an honor to play for him and win championships with him at Mississippi College. I’m excited to support him as he continues the championship tradition at Jackson Prep.”

      “Coach Kevin is a great guy,” said Rhodes Morgan, who will be a senior soccer player this year for Prep. “He’s been around my family as long as I can remember. I have no doubt in his coaching abilities. My brother (Mason Morgan) played under Coach Kevin at Mississippi College. I’m so confident with Coach Kevin that we will win the state championship this year.”

      “Kevin taught me about how there is more to life than soccer,” said Maddie Caldwell, who finished her career at Prep last season, played for Johns for the Rush from 2020 to 2022 and will be playing for Holmes Community College this fall. “He always said there comes a time when soccer should be important but not to lose sight of your other priorities like God, family, and friends. He taught me about the fundamentals but more importantly about the friendships and ultimately having fun while doing it. Having Kevin has truly changed my soccer career because not only have I learned to be disciplined as a player but now as I am stepping into a coaching role this year for two teams.”

      Duncan, 48, has 862 wins (474 girls and 388 boys) and 30 state titles (15 boys and 15 girls) in 25 seasons. He has an 83 percent winning percentage for his career.

Duncan passed Karl Friedrich of Harrison Central in August of last year as the winningest coach in Mississippi history last fall. Friedrich finished with 831 victories in 32 seasons at Harrison Central. He retired in 2012 and started Harrison Central’s soccer program in 1982. He coached boys from 1982-2012 and girls from 1997-2012.

      Duncan, a Prep and University of Mobile graduate, started his coaching career in 2000.

         Duncan’s father, Jimmy Duncan, called him in the summer of 2000 when Jon Marcus was working day camps at UMS-Wright High School in Mobile. Jon Marcus called then Prep athletic director Dwayne Cupples, went on two interviews and was offered the job. Twenty-five years later, Duncan is the most successful soccer coach in Mississippi history. 

      “The timing was good for me on the move to a new career,” Duncan said. “With (his youngest daughter) Abby graduating and headed down to play at Jones, I really felt like it was time to move on. Jackson Prep has been nothing short of outstanding for me and my family. I was able to coach both of my daughters, Josie (a junior at Mississippi State) and Abby (graduates from Prep in May). My wife Tammy has played a major role in my success because of her support for this program. My heart will always be full with Prep red and blue. When I took this job 25 years ago, I never imagined how rewarding it was going to be. The relationships with faculty, players, parents, and coaching staffs have been unbelievable. Jackson Prep is a great place to work. The commitment from the school in regard to athletics, academics, and the arts is second to none. I can’t thank the people at Prep enough for what they have done for me and my family over the past 25 years. I’ll always be a coach at heart. I’m not retiring from coaching. I have plenty of energy, which is why I feel that this is a good time for me to explore another career. I’ll keep that door open to still coach. But for now, I need to put it on the side and focus my energy into something else. Athletic director Will Crosby and head of school Lawrence Coco found a great replacement for me. The relationships I’ve built through the coaching ranks will last a lifetime and for that I’m so thankful.”

      Unlike previous years, Prep and the rest of the MAIS will not compete in girls soccer this fall. The private school organization has moved that sport to the spring to try to spread out girls sports over the course of the school year. MAIS boys soccer will continue to start after football season is over in late November.

      So the Johns era will officially begin play several months from now.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A total of 12 newcomers to the Belmont University men’s soccer program will compete for the Bruins this fall. Comprised of seven true freshmen and five transfers, Belmont’s 2025 signing class was announced Thursday.
 
A trio of Bruins joined the team in January – Parker Forbes, Hayden Robinson and Lucas Wolthers – while nine will arrive at Belmont later this summer. Four defenders, four midfielders, a pair of forwards and two goalkeepers make up the Bruins’ new wave of players.
 
“I couldn’t be more excited to announce our class for this year,” commented seventh-year head coach David Costa. “Following last season, we had some major holes to fill from our graduating seniors. Our staff spent many hours identifying, evaluating, and building relationships with this group, and I feel that each of them will be strong contributors to our program in each area of the student-athlete experience. We look forward to integrating this group with our returning team and working toward many future successes.”
 
#2 Parker Forbes | Graduate | Defender | 6-1 | Cedar Park, Texas | Louisville | Cedar Park HS | Lonestar Soccer Club

• Joined Belmont in January and trained with the team throughout the spring.
• A graduate transfer from Atlantic Coast Conference member Louisville.
• Played in 42 matches and made 15 starts for the Cardinals after redshirting as a true freshman in 2021.
• Totaled 10 points over the last three seasons at Louisville with a trio of goals and four assists.
• Logged over 1,700 minutes on the pitch for the Cardinals.
• Scored two goals last season and assisted on a goal in two different NCAA Championship matches in 2023, including providing the game-winning helper in the first round versus Dayton.
• A three-time ACC All-Academic Team honoree and 2022 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® Team member.
• Named all-region and offensive MVP after scoring 16 goals with eight assists in nine matches while leading Cedar Park High School to a regional quarterfinal appearance as a senior.
• Spent five years as a captain in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
• Attained his bachelor’s degree in business finance from Louisville.

Introducing our 2025 newcomers you’ll be seeing this fall! ??

Beginning with graduate transfer @_parkerforbes_ ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Parker? #ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/G3iK05nfye

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 16, 2025

#13 Hayden Robinson | Freshman | Defender | 6-2 | Charleston, S.C. | Oceanside Collegiate Academy | South Carolina Surf ECNL

• Arrived in Nashville in January and trained with the Bruins throughout the spring.
• Helped lead his high school team – Oceanside Collegiate Academy – to back-to-back state championships and a No. 1 national ranking according to MaxPreps.
• As a junior, Robinson was the leading goal scorer in the state of South Carolina and earned the “Best Offensive Player” award.
• Competed for South Carolina Surf ECNL in travel ball and won a national championship in 2021. He also reached the round of 16 in consecutive years with South Carolina Surf at the ECNL National Playoffs.
• Spent two summers in Brazil training with a professional academy.

Our next newcomer! ??

Early enrollee Hayden Robinson ??

?????????????? to the ??????????, Hayden?#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/dc6GnWUaTf

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 17, 2025

#11 Lucas Wolthers | Redshirt Sophomore | Forward | 6-2 | Hendersonville, Tenn. | Indiana | Merrol Hyde Magnet School | Nashville SC Academy

• Began his Belmont career in January and trained with the team throughout the spring.

• Was a part of consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season championships and the 2023 Big Ten Championship title while at Indiana.
• Redshirted as a true freshman in Bloomington, Indiana.
• Named to the Fall 2024 Academic All-Big Ten Team.
• A three-star recruit according to Top Drawer Soccer and rated as the No. 128 overall recruit, No. 2 from the South Region and No. 34 forward in the 2023 class by Top Drawer Soccer.
• Led Merrol Hyde Magnet School to the state semifinals and was tabbed Sumner County Offensive Player of the Year in 2021.
• Earned first-team all-district honors and was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Division I Class A All-State Team.
• Led Merrol Hyde Magnet in scoring with eight goals and seven assists as a junior.
• Led the inaugural Nashville SC Academy U17 team with seven goals during the 2021-22 season.
• Tallied 23 goals and five assists for Tennessee United Soccer Club in the fall of 2022.
• A three-time state champion and two-time US Youth Soccer Mid-South Conference champion with Tennessee United.

Another newcomer who’s been on campus since January!

Transfer forward @LucasWolthers ??

??????????????, Lucas??#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/kTRaGVdmoC

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 18, 2025

#10 Nzuhri Biggar | Freshman | Midfielder | 6-5 | Spartanburg, S.C. | Oakbrook Preparatory School | Carolina Elite Soccer Academy ECNL

• Helped lead Oakbrook Preparatory School to three state championships.
• A two-time all-region performer and named player of the year.
• Made his professional debut in late April with the Greenville Triumph in the USL Jägermeister Cup.
• Won a national championship with Carolina Elite Soccer Academy of the ECNL and earned first-team all-conference honors.
• Also played varsity basketball for Oakbrook Prep.
• His brother, Jonah, was selected 70th overall in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United out of South Carolina.

Introducing freshman midfielder Nzuhri Biggar from South Carolina! ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Nzuhri? #ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/Lvgr5TbMpc

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 20, 2025

#6 Louis Peña Christoffersen | Graduate | Midfielder | 6-1 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Copenhagen Business School | Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College | FA 2000

• Will arrive in the Music City as a graduate student.
• Spent the last two years with Frederiksberg Alliancen 2000 of the Danish 3rd Division.
• Joined FA 2000 from Hvidovre IF where he spent one and a half years after playing for Brøndby IF up to U19.
• Graduated from the Copenhagen Business School and Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College.
• A dual citizen of Denmark and Mexico.

A grad newcomer from Denmark ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Louis Peña Christoffersen? #ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/1CQ30mtddl

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 21, 2025

#22 Palmer Hendrix | Freshman | Defender | 6-3 | Oviedo, Fla. | The Geneva School | Florida Kraze ECNL

• Starred at The Geneva School in central Florida.
• An all-district selection, Hendrix was named both district player of the year and Seminole County Private School Male Athlete of the Year.
• A three-time team MVP and regular captain, Hendrix also lettered in track.
• Competed for Florida Kraze Krush of the ECNL, the top-ranked team in the country.
• Collected first-team all-conference honors while playing for Florida Kraze.

A freshman defender from the Sunshine State ? ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Palmer?#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/VJC7fFM0El

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 24, 2025

#32 Adam Leonard | Freshman | Goalkeeper | 6-2 | Knoxville, Tenn. | Hardin Valley Academy | FC Alliance ECNL

• An in-state product, Leonard led Hardin Valley Academy to a state championship and a pair of region titles.
• A three-time all-district and two-time all-region selection in Class AAA, the largest and strongest class in Tennessee.
• Played for FC Alliance ECNL for 12 years and Nashville SC Academy as a freshman.
• Earned the starting keeper spot at Hardin Valley as a sophomore.

Our newest keeper staying in his home state ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, @Adam_Leonard06?#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/vwxLpF3xKy

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 22, 2025

#18 Paul Claes Nielsen | Freshman | Midfielder | 6-2 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Rybners Gymnasium | Esbjerg fB

• One of two new Bruins from Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Competed for Esbjerg fB’s U19 team where he was an attacking midfielder.
• Also played for Lyngby Boldklub’s youth team before joining Esbjerg fB’s youth squad.
• Made 40 total match appearances for Esbjerg fB in the U19 league.
• Graduated from Rybners Gymnasium in Esbjerg, Denmark.

Our second new midfielder from Denmark ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Paul Claes?#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/l3BCJXg2y2

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 24, 2025

#33 Jack Roach | Redshirt Sophomore | Goalkeeper | 6-3 | Plymouth, Min. | Wisconsin | Wayzata HS | Minnesota United FC 2

• Spent his first two collegiate seasons at the Big Ten Conference’s Wisconsin.
• Played for Wayzata High School and Minnesota United FC 2 in the MLS NEXT Pro.
• Trained in the Minnesota United FC Academy system and most recently played for Minneapolis City SC of the USL League Two.
• Garnered all-state honors while at Wayzata.

Our latest addition, transfer goalkeeper Jack Roach! ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Jack?#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/XfKmZVap0y

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) July 10, 2025

#14 Rafael Sorter | Freshman | Midfielder | 5-11 | Baerum, Norway | Dønski videregående skole | Asker Fotball

• A native of Baerum, Norway, Sorter played for Asker Fotball of the Norwegian Second Division.
• Since 2023, he has made 47 match appearances for Asker and scored 17 goals.
• Prior to Asker, Sorter played for Bærum SK where he logged minutes in eight different matches while competing in the Norwegian Second Division.
•  Graduated from Dønski videregående skole in Gjettum, Norway.
• Sorter is both Norwegian and Brazilian.

Our newest midfielder from Norway ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Rafael?#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/oAe2jrQkzm

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 25, 2025

#15 Zach Stanton | Redshirt Freshman | Defender | 6-1 | Imperial, Mo. | Saint Louis | Seckman HS | St. Louis CITY SC Academy

• Began his collegiate career at Saint Louis University where he redshirted as a true freshman last fall.
• Was part of a Billiken squad that reached the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship title match and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship.
• Rated as the No. 7 player in the Heartland according to Top Drawer Soccer.
• Attended Seckman High School and played for St. Louis CITY SC Academy.
• Served as St. Louis CITY SC Academy captain for the U21, U17 and U16 teams.
• Participated in 2021, 2020 and 2019 U.S. Youth National Team Regional ID Camps.

Our latest addition, a transfer defender from Missouri ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Zach?#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/sBvl75NHX6

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 26, 2025

#12 Jaxon Stokes | Freshman | Forward | 5-10 | Woodridge, Ill. | Naperville North HS | Eclipse Select ECNL

• Captained Naperville North High School in northeast Illinois.
• Named 2024-25 Gatorade Illinois Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
• A 2024 United Soccer Coaches All-American selection and the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) Player of the Year.
• A two-time IHSSCA All-State First Team pick and a member of the Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team.
• Tabbed United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region and chosen as the DuPage Valley Conference Golden Boot winner in 2023.
• A three-time unanimous DuPage Valley All-Conference performer.
• A three-time Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Team and three-time Naperville Sun All-Area Team choice.
• Led the Huskies to a 20-2-1 record as a senior and back-to-back DuPage Valley Conference championships.
• Scored 19 goals and assisted on another six in his final prep season.
• Concluded his high school career with an impressive 61 goals, the third-most in Naperville North history.
• A member of the all-academic team all four years.
• Competed for Eclipse Select ECNL and was named to Top Drawer Soccer‘s ECNL Playoffs U17 Best XI.
• A 2023 ECNL national finalist with Eclipse Select, Stokes collected two first-team all-conference accolades and was selected to the 2024 ECNL National Training Camp Conference Cup.

Announcing our final newcomer, freshman forward @JaxonStokes1 ??

?????????????? to the ?? ????????, Jaxon?#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/dcgvn4kvxo

— Belmont Men’s Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) June 27, 2025

Belmont will report for preseason training the first week of August.
 
In addition to the 12 newcomers for the 2025 season, the Bruins return 14 letter winners and seven starters from their 2024 campaign.
 
Belmont opens its season on Friday, Aug. 8 with a home exhibition match against Meridian Community College. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. from E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins’ regular season opener will also be held at Rose Park on Thursday, Aug. 21 versus Wright State.
 
How to Follow
Follow Belmont men’s soccer on social media – @BelmontMSoccer on X, formerly Twitter, @belmontmsoccer on Instagram and Belmont University Men’s Soccer on Facebook – for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont’s athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
 

#ItsBruinTime
 

The Handley High School boys’ soccer team’s personnel losses from its 17-1 2024 season included players who accounted for 60 of the team’s 81 goals and no returning player with more than five goals. 

The Judges’ encore was another 17-win campaign and a plus-69 goal differential (78-9) after having a plus-70 last year.

Handley’s Cosmo Balio is The Winchester Star Boys’ Soccer Coach of the Year after keeping the Judges at an elite level this year. Handley went 17-2 and earned the top North seed for the Region 4D tournament, but the Judges again lost to Charlottesville in the semis by one goal (1-0 this year). The Black Knights were state semifinalists this year after winning the title last year.

A veteran Handley defense led by All-State center back Jackson Justice did not give up more than one goal in any game this year and posted 10 shutouts. Led by Isaac Carter (20 goals), the Judges had seven players score at least five goals, and Micah Combs led the area with 21 assists. 

Balio was named the Class 4 Northwestern District Coach of the Year and became the all-time leading in boys’ soccer coaching wins at Handley when the Judges beat Skyline 6-0 on May 9. Balio now has 189 wins. 

This is Balio’s third Star CoY award, also getting it in 2008 and 2016. 

Q. How did this season go based on your preseason expectations?

Balio: After the loss to Charlottesville last year, we were just like, ‘We threw our best shot at them. I don’t know if we’re going to get back here, because we’re losing so much.’ Shenandoah [University] had a preseason tournament in January, and there were a lot of 6A schools there. We tied all three of our games. From that point forward, it kind of changed the mindset of the coaching staff of, ‘We’re going to be in a total rebuild,’ to, ‘All the pieces are here, we’ve just got to put them in the right spots.’ For me and the rest of he coaching staff, I think that was the foundation of moving this group forward. 

Getting back to [playing] Charlottesville [in the region tournament] was the goal for them. I don’t think we ever really considered rattling off all those wins. But when we did that we started thinking we could play them [in Winchester] instead of going [to Charlottesville]. The back line really firmed up quickly, and then we started putting balls in the net. We were averaging three or four goals per game. Then the players started growing into their own personalities, which was great. The players achieved so much for us, and I was so proud of the way they played this year. 

Q. Any qualities that stood out about your team? 

Balio: The kids just bought in. Whatever we asked them to do, they did it. So that was a great thing to see. 

We started out with 24 guys on the team, and I just told the team we have to have the mentality of next guy up. Whenever you’re called on, if it’s five minutes, 10 minutes, you’ve got to work at practice. You’re going to get your opportunities throughout the year. We had some guys leave, but we had people who understood their roles.

Q. Any particular games that you thought were significantly important in the team’s development?

Balio: We always have a great battle with Millbrook, and we were so excited for the way the team played at Millbrook the second time we played them. (The Judges won 4-0 on April 8.) We were like, ‘This team’s clicking.’ Bu then we had the Liberty game. (Two days later, the Judges fell to 7-1 after a 1-0 defeat in Bealeton.) The Liberty game was the reset for us. The next game after that was right after spring break with Fauquier. To get that win, 2-1, I felt like, ‘We’re good. We’re moving forward.’ That was a huge one for us.

Q. Anything you want to say about individual performances that surprised you or impressed you?

Balio: We have a freshman Brian Escobar who just understood his role. He evolved and was a shutdown defender. I think the future is really bright for him moving forward. I was really impressed with how mature he became. 

Isaac and Micah, they’ve been bosom buddies since they’ve been tiny. They’ve always known each other, they’ve played other sports together. The connection they have is almost kind of like the connection that [2024 graduates and twins] Dash and Jag [Fitzsimmons] had. Making eye contact, knowing where each other is going to be on the field. They’re always together, working. The season gets over, we’re collecting uniforms the next day, the following day, they’re up in the morning at Handley on the turf, working out. You just have to appreciate guys who want to get better when no else is looking, and that’s those two. Isaac was hurt early in the season, and you could see it was killing him sitting on the bench. He missed seven games, but he was saying he was going to get his 20 goals. Sure enough, he did it.  

Q. Any other memorable moments?

Balio: I had a goal in my head, when I started at Handley, I wanted to keep the standard that Jim Carden had set. (Balio took over as head coach in 2006 after the Hunter Maddex Hall of Famer stepped down, stayed in that position for 11 seasons, then returned in 2022.) I wanted to keep these kids with good grades, try to get some kids playing college soccer, make sure that they’re a Handley Judge in a respectable way. 

And then I felt like I if I could get to where Jim’s [career] wins are, then I feel like I’ve done my job. (Carden won 184 games in 11 seasons from 1995-2005.) So that was a special moment for me, hitting that [185] mark over at Skyline. I told the guys after the game that I really appreciated the work they had put in this season. 

What really was most memorable was for me was how the program has grown into a huge family. We have an alumni game now, and it’s great to see the older players coming back, and supporting the new kids. They’re getting to know them.   

Q. Expectations for next year?

Balio: Losing guys like Javi [Chavez] and Axel [Grimaldo] and Jackson in the back will be a puzzle to figure out, but that’s why anybody who coaches, coaches. They want to solve the puzzle. But we have a lot of pieces coming back, and I can’t wait to get back at it and figure things out. 

RIVERDALE, NY – With the start of the 2025 campaign just a few weeks away, Manhattan Jaspers’ Director of Athletics Irma Garcia has announced the addition of Tom Giovatto as the sixth Men’s Soccer Head Coach in program history, on Thursday afternoon.

Giovatto is set to succeed Jorden Scott, who was recently promoted to Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs and Program Development on June 19.

“I am thrilled to officially welcome Coach Tom (Giovatto) to our Jasper family!” Exclaimed Garcia.

“His track record of success both on the field and in the development of student-athletes is truly outstanding. Tom brings a coaching philosophy that aligns perfectly with our vision of holistic success, encompassing excellence in the classroom, service in the community, and competition at the highest level on the soccer field. I’m confident he will build on the strong foundation laid by Coach Jorden (Scott) and take our Jasper soccer program to new heights.”

While serving as the head coach of the Long Island University Women’s Soccer program in 2024, he oversaw three players being named as Northeast Conference (NEC) All-Conference honorees. The year prior, Giovatto served as the Assistant Coach for Fordham University’s Men’s Soccer program.

“Tommy is an accomplished, successful, and championship coach, and I could not be handing the program off to a better man,” described Jorden Scott.

“After 15 years of building the program from the ground up, it was critical that we found someone who understands what it takes at the mid-major level to push beyond expectations, is willing to absorb themselves in our Jaspers Soccer community, and we are fortunate to have found that coach.  I look forward to supporting Tommy in his transition, and I am excited for the student-athletes to gain from his experience and knowledge.”

The four-time NEC Coach of the Year was instrumental in leading the St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers Men’s Soccer program for 16 seasons. While at the helm, Giovatto led his teams to capture five NEC Tournament titles and make as many NCAA Tournament appearances in eight years (2013-2021). His teams also won four conference regular-season titles, highlighted by back-to-back undefeated NEC seasons (2016 and 2017). In the Spring of 2021, St. Francis Brooklyn claimed its first NCAA tournament victory in program history against Milwaukee in double overtime before falling to eventual national runner-up Indiana.

“I’d like to take a moment to thank Director of Athletics Irma Garcia and Deputy Director of Athletic Anthony Kurtin for the opportunity to lead Manhattan University’s Men’s Soccer program.” Said Giovatto. “Additionally, I want to thank Jorden Scott for his support and belief in me to take the program forward as he moves to administration.”

“From my years competing in New York City, I know the potential of Manhattan Men’s Soccer. This a program with a history talented players, an incredibly supportive alumni group, and a high competitive ceiling. Our location in the best city in the world, plus exciting investments in facilities and new partnerships with Capelli, gives us a chance to bring championships here through hard work and identifying the right talent to win in the MAAC, our region, and beyond over the coming years.”

Additionally, Giovatto is a three-time United Soccer Coaches’ Northeast Region Coach of the Year, a two-time Big Apple Soccer Coach of the Year, and ECAC Coach of the Year.

While in Brooklyn Heights, Giovatto accumulated a 144-96-44 win, loss, and draw record, finishing second on the Terriers’ Men’s Soccer all-time wins list.

Over his nearly two decades in the NEC between St. Francis Brooklyn and LIU, Giovatto mentored two NEC Players of the Year, four NEC Defensive Players of the Year, three NEC Rookies of the Year, an NEC Goalkeeper of the Year, and 36 First Team All-NEC selections.

Giovatto began his collegiate career as an assistant coach at fellow MAAC institution Saint Peter’s University in 2001. Two seasons later, he helped the Peacocks win nearly 20 matches and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before moving to Long Island and Stony Brook University. He then began his time in Brooklyn Heights as an assistant coach, taking the reins before the 2007 campaign.

He played his collegiate soccer at nearby Iona University for three seasons. After graduating in 1997 with a degree in mass communications, Giovatto played for Major League Soccer side New York/New Jersey MetroStars during the preseason. He also played for the Brooklyn Knights of the USL PDL and the Baltimore Blast of the NPSL.

Additionally, Giovatto coaches for MLS Next side Downtown United Soccer Club Girls Academy 2007.

“I am excited to start with the team in August and help all of our student-athletes have a meaningful experience while developing as young men.”