Seven months have passed since the Men’s Soccer team’s devastating 4-1 loss to Mercer County Community College in the District Final — a defeat that dashed their dreams of reaching Nationals and brought their 2024 season to a heartbreaking end.
Since then, Head Coach Rick Larson, who is entering is 22nd season, and his staff, have taken the lessons learned and are now preparing for the 2025 season which officially begins August 1.
Expectations remain high, and returning to the Nationals is once again at the top of the Ocelots goals. The ambition to go far is a core mantra in the program, rooted in the philosophy of Larson. Larson emphasizes the importance of each player giving their best individually to achieve collective success. He values players’ ability to adapt to different game scenarios.
As a coach, Larson is clear and direct. His team aims to build from the back, breaking through opposing lines in different ways until reaching the goal. It’s a style that emphasizes structured buildup and tactical intelligence, an approach aligned with the demands of modern soccer.
In 2017, Larson led Schoolcraft to the NJCAA National Championship final, finishing as runners-up and is looking for his 2025 squad to do the same.
During the 2024 season, the Ocelots showed impressive offensive strength with a 12-4-1 record and, scoring a total of 76 goals. The team’s top scorers were Kevaughn Harris and Adriano Shauya, each finishing with 13 goals. Defensively, the team kept a clean sheet in 8 matches. It was a consistent and competitive season that, by small margins, didn’t result in greater accomplishments. The coaching staff have made adjustments to the roster and hope that they can find the missing pieces to get them back to the National tournament.
Assistant Coach Jonathan Garcia, now in his sixth season, reflects on the recruiting process and what lies ahead.
“Looking ahead to fall 2025, we’ve set clear standards and goals during recruitment. I believe we have a very exciting squad,” said Garcia.
Garcia also highlighted the program’s rich history as a foundation for future success.
“It’s a massive program,” said Garcia. “Twenty-six MCCAA Championships—three in a row—plus 31 Region XII titles, also three consecutive. It’s been a successful journey, and that legacy drives us forward.”
Contributing to this perspective is Unai González, a Spanish player who transferred to Schoolcraft after playing for a program in Virginia.
“One of the main reasons I decided to transfer here was the clear vision and competitive culture this program has. From the beginning, the goal was to win Nationals, and that ambition really motivated me,” said González.
When it comes to college sports, the most challenging aspect for teams is maintaining consistency, due to the turnover rate of it being a two-year program. This particularly affects the internal atmosphere of the team.
Team cohesion is a key focus among returning players. Sophomore Kellen Larson offered a thoughtful perspective on leadership and the team’s objectives.
“The goal for this season ultimately is to win the national championship, and there is no doubt we have the talent to do it. The issue will be creating an environment that resembles a family. It is hard at a junior college to create this since we only have two years. You come in as a freshman and already have to be ready to lead as a sophomore,” said Larson.
Kellen also noted the importance of leadership this season.
“Leadership is always the biggest issue. We are lucky enough to have some older players that will need to lead our younger players. When it gets to the end of the season, the games are hard and we may have to play back-to-back days, which is always difficult in soccer. We may have to come back from being down goals. You never know what can happen,” said Larson.
Larson emphasized that it is equally important to have a very united team, as well as having a talented team, and that is why this will be vital to winning the national championship.
Last season, the Ocelots had a talented roster, with three standout players worth highlighting.
In the midfield, Ziad Barakat was named to the All-America First Team and played a vital role. His vision, distribution rhythm, and defensive work made him a cornerstone for the team.
On the defensive line, Nikolas Nareike brought valuable experience from an NAIA program, adding both leadership and stability. Nareike played a key role in the team’s buildup from the back and contributed offensively with important goals.
In the attack, freshman Adriano Shauya stood out during the final stretch of the season, scoring spectacular goals, including a crucial one in the Regional XII final.
This year, the Ocelots hopes to have Shauya back on the field soon and contributing to their success. In addition to his return, new additions are expected to bring quality and depth across all areas of the field.
Although no official captains have been announced yet, leadership will be shared. Sophomore players, with experience at the junior college level, will play a vital role in guiding and integrating the incoming freshmen, fostering unity and resilience.
Strengths and challenges
The Ocelots aim to be a consistent team with well-structured lines across the field. Chemistry and team connection are viewed as fundamental pillars for group development. On top of on-field competition against ambitious opponents, injuries remain a key challenge, and the team works daily to prevent them.
Last season, the team struggled with injuries. Larson was sidelined midway through the season and missed the remaining games. For the upcoming season, there is optimism around the recoveries of Adriano Shauya and Adechina Moussedikou, both of whom suffered knee injuries during the spring.
The next chapter begins now
With a renewed roster, the experience from last season, and a hunger for victory, the Ocelots are ready for another year of challenges and unforgettable moments. A determined and highly competitive squad is expected to emerge. Day by day, the team’s new identity will take shape, an identity built on diversity, united by a sport loved around the world. May this journey toward the Nationals be marked by victories that celebrate the hard work and dedication of this group.
The initial matches of the season are expected to be competitive and challenging, giving the coaching staff the opportunity to assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses and fine-tune their strategies ahead of the ranked games and the regular season.
“Preseason is a good thing…competing and training to get better. We’re clear with the principles on the phases of the game—be brave, be very aggressive and need to attack. Make sure we maximize every player’s potential,” said Garcia.
On August 1st, the entire squad will gather for the official start of the 2025 season.
With the arrival of new players, many of them international, August will be crucial for preparation.
A series of friendlies against NAIA universities and ranked NJCAA DII matches will kick of the preseason. The team will then head to Westfield, Indiana, where and compete in a tournament against other top NJCAA DII programs. One of the highlights will be the match against Iowa Lakes Community College, which finished the 2024 season ranked No. 1 in the nation.
The Ocelots open conference play at home on September 10 against Lakeland Community College. October brings a challenging stretch, including matchups with Jackson, Owens, Lake Michigan, Grand Rapids, Morton, and Prairie State, before closing the regular season at home on October 22 against St. Clair Community College—a rematch of last year’s regional final.
“I am really looking forward to this season. I expect a lot from our guys, the ones that are already with us, and the new incorporation,” said Gonzalez. “With the talent we have from last season and the new additions, I think we’ll have the right mix to reach Nationals—and win it.”
You can follow the Ocelots’ all season at https://www.schoolcraftocelots.com/
