With just a week away before playoffs the Men’s Soccer team’s focus is sharper than ever as they look to turn the hard work of the regular season into a championship run.
Despite injuries to key players like Kellen Larson, who suffered a sprain in the game against Jackson College and missed the next three games, the Ocelots turned to the depth of the roster giving opportunities to secondary players, like freshman Leonardo Augusto, who received opportunities in the starting eleven and remained.
Head Coach Rick Larson didn’t have a difficult task, as the players rose to the occasion, and the results were immediate.
The defense remains unbeatable, conceding 11 goals, the creative midfielder contributing numerous assists, and the attack increasingly efficient, scoring 63 goals, reflecting collective improvement since day one and a mentality built day by day.
This strength was evident in their two most recent victories: a 4-1 victory over Grand Rapids, demonstrating maturity and control, and a 10-0 rout of Terra State. These two results confirm the team’s strong offensive momentum and the confidence it exudes.
In the game against Grand Rapids on Oct 8, the Ocelots started off strong with Jevaughn Harris opening the scoring for Schoolcraft. From then on, the game was completely in the Ocelots’ favor. Giovanni Ivezaj scored two more goals with a fine performance, and Jacob Fjellas closed the scoring. The Ocelots improved their record to 11-1.
Two days later against Terra State on Oct. 10, Jevaugh Harris stood out, scoring three goals and contributing two assists. These were his contributions in a single game, but Harris has been a key player in the team’s attack. This season, he has seven goals and eight assists in 13 games, honoring the legacy of his twin brother, Kevaugh Harris, who was one of the team’s top scorers last season.
Harris suffered an injury last year in his first season as an Ocelot and was unable to play beyond initially as a defensive midfielder. After rehabbing the injury and returning for his second season, Harris has now become a prominent piece in the Ocelots’ offensive attack.
“Last season was tough for me because I was dealing with a lot of knee pain, which the athletic trainer said was probably patellar tendinopathy,” Harris said. “It was pretty emotional since it was my first year and season in the U.S., but I knew I had to take that time off. What really helped me recover was finding some guys online who had the same issue. I bought their program and followed it every day in the gym throughout the fall semester. By winter, I was finally back playing again.”
The Jamaican forward also commented on his positional change from defensive midfielder to winger and striker.
“The position change from defensive midfielder to forward and winger kind of happened naturally,” Harris said. “Over the summer, I played in a lot of games where I had to attack more than defend, and that really helped me grow as a player. I think it also showed my versatility and ability to adapt to different roles on the field.”
About his outstanding performance against Terra State, Harris emphasized the mental side of the game.
“I’d say the key was my mentality,” said Harris. “Lately, I’ve been really focused on going into each game with full concentration and giving everything I have. I think that mindset is what made the difference and led to my performance that day.”
Looking ahead, Harris shared his goals for the rest of the season. “As a team, my biggest goal is to make it to the national championship and compete for that title together.”
Among the key players leading the team is freshman Devlin McGinnis, the creative force behind the Ocelots’ attack. With 16 assists this season, McGinnis continues to orchestrate the midfield, dictating the tempo with his vision and assists.
When asked about his goals for the remainder of the season, McGinnis emphasized the team’s collective mentality and objectives.
“As a team, we’re finishing the things that make us who we are. We have some important games coming up, and we also want to win the conference.” said McGinnis.
His words reflect the determination that permeates the locker room as the Ocelots seek to parlay their momentum into something historic, a solid postseason run, and ultimately a shot at a national title.
Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, the Ocelots are competing against some tough opponents in Marian University Ancilla, Morton College and Prairie State College.
To close out, the Ocelots will host St. Clair County Community College, which is second in the conference on Oct. 22. The two teams will fight for the title of Region XII and move forward in the post-season.
With a 12-1 record, Schoolcraft leads the conference with five consecutive wins. At home, the Ocelots remain undefeated (7-0), undefeated away (4-0), and with a 1-1 record on neutral ground. More than just numbers, this proves that the team has found its identity: intensity, unity, and purpose.
With the National Championship approaching, the Ocelots see not just a sporting goal, but the reward of months of work, resilience, and faith in the collective. A group that has learned that winning isn’t just about scoring goals, but about moving forward together, believing that the impossible is just the next challenge.
