The Missouri Military Academy soccer program knows what to expect from its cadets.

The Colonels won 22 games over the past two years and had their biggest win total of 13 since winning 15 games back in 2018. They also advanced to their first district championship game since that same year.

MMA didn’t win the title this time after losing 4-0 to Father Tolton, but head coach Elliott Goodwin said he believes the team can make it back there again this year. Of the around 30 players on the roster, Goodwin said there is a “sizable number” of seniors that know what MMA soccer is all about.

“We will rely on our returning players' leadership skills, as well as their knowledge of my expectations as a coach, to push this team as far as possible this year,” Goodwin said.

Among the key returners for MMA is Alexander McBride and Eric Shellabarger that will provide valuable leadership along with senior Avin Hernandez. Last year, Hernandez earned all-district honors along with seven other cadets, being named to the first team. McBridge and Shellabarger were named as honorable mentions.

Goodwin said these cadets can push the new talent MMA has this year in the right direction and help them adjust to a new environment. He said he is excited to see what newcomers like Fernando Puebla and Ethan Medina can do for the team.

“I expect there to be a lot of new faces in the team this year so it will take some time for us to bond and find our strengths,” Goodwin said. “Our immediate goal should be to connect as a group and form an identity as a hardworking, determined team. We have to be able to recognize our strengths early as a team and build on them but also recognize our weaknesses and focus on them to improve throughout the season.”

Last year’s Colonels won the Moberly Tournament for the second straight season and collected various other good moments. To achieve good moments this year, Goodwin said MMA needs to be good in various situations, which he believes will be possible with this roster.

“We have versatile players this year and it's nice to know that I can give our players specific jobs and roles depending on the needs of the game situation,” Goodwin said. “I'll be able to see some players in their favored positions as well as being able to put them in positions to test them so having those options will allow us to change our approaches to games when needed.”

It takes effort to make it at least as far as the district championship game, but Goodwin believes MMA has what it takes.

“As a coach, you always have to expect some form of adversity during the season,” Goodwin said. “Based on the last week or so being around this year's group, they will fight for each other to overcome those tough moments and get things back on track.”