SHERMAN, Texas - For the first time in 16 seasons, the Austin College men's soccer program will open the year with a new head coach on the sidelines, as Taylor Goyen enters his first season at the helm for the 'Roos.
Goyen is a familiar face for Austin College, of course, as both a recent alum and three-year player for the men's soccer program. After playing for former head coach Mark Hudson, who resigned after completing his 15th season with the 'Roos last year, Goyen inherits the reins and will be counting on a strong group of returning talent as well as 14 newcomers looking to make a splash in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2022.
Austin College returns senior leadership in goal this year, as Connor Tullis is back for his second season as the team's full-time starter in goal. The Dallas native has appeared in 25 games in his first three seasons, including 20 starts. Last season, Tullis started 15 of 16 games in which he played, logging nearly 1,500 minutes and making 79 saves. Also providing plenty of leadership and experience will be Diego Rodriguez and Cesar Escobar, who like Tullis enter their senior year with a lot of field time under their belts.
Rodriguez is a three-year starter for the 'Roos, and has tallied five goals in his three seasons while playing multiple positions in 41 career appearances. Escobar, meanwhile, has tallied four goals and four assists in 32 games, logging 27 starts in his first three years. Another senior Goyen is counting on making a big impact this season is Logan Newman, another three-year starter in the midfield who has seen time in 41 career games, including 28 as a member of the starting 11.
Along with its strong senior class, this year's team boasts plenty of young talent as well. Louis Catchpole made an early splash in his first season last year, earning second team All-SCAC status after leading the 'Roos with six goals a season ago. Catchpole started 15 of 16 games in which he appeared, and managed to put 18 of his 31 shot attempts on target. Luke Keenan is another second year player who made an impact as a freshman in 2021, appearing in 14 matches while starting 11 as one of the team's top defensive players.
Goyen and his 'Roos will be kicking off the season on September 1, when Austin College welcomes East Texas Baptist for an 8:00 p.m. match at the Jack Pierce Memorial Soccer Complex. This year, the 'Roos will also be hosting the 2022 SCAC Men's Soccer Championship in November.