Men’s soccer returns to the pitch for upcoming spring season 

February 25, 2024

By Jackson Kuykendall, Sports Writer

Becoming the newest HBCU out of seventeen schools to have men’s soccer as a varsity sport, Xavier men’s soccer program is preparing for its upcoming spring season after making its inaugural program debut this past fall. Head Coach of Xavier Men’s Soccer program, Gonzalo Carranza shared that his goals for the upcoming spring season is to grow from the experiences from last year. 

“Build upon the positives from last season, and work on the negatives,” Carranza said. “We are also hoping for an injury-free semester, and off-the-field high academics.” 

The game of soccer is not common at HBCUs when looking at the numbers, especially when it comes to men’s soccer, but Xavier hopes to spread the world’s most popular game at HBCUs. Starting freshman defender Juan Braz being African American and also Brazilian, said he can relate. 

“It feels like anywhere else. Maybe we don’t have the people to support us because it’s not that famous here, but I play for myself, for my family, and for my history,” Braz said. 

Xavier men’s soccer tactical style is a possession-based style with quick passing and movements waiting for the right time to attack, in order to create goal-scoring opportunities. The team scored 26 goals on 188 shots, had 22 assists, and a .532 shots on goal percentage. Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year of the Red River Athletic Conference Gustavo Oliveira played a big role last fall in the success of their inaugural season. 

“The only way I prepare is to give the exact same effort I gave in the fall and transfer that into the spring” Oliveira said. “My goals are to keep contributing to the team and be a player that everyone counts on.” 

Men’s soccer will play three games this spring. They kick off on Feb. 25 at Lafreniere Park in Metairie against Louisiana State at Eunice and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Following those matches on March 23, they will travel for kick-off against Louisiana Christian University and Louisiana State University of Alexandria. They will finish the spring season against USL League Two side Louisiana Krewe FC on April 27. 

“It’s time to bounce back since conference didn’t go as planned, I want to prove to myself that I deserved the awards I got and how amazing our team is when we work together,” said Oliveira about his and the team’s commitment to the spring season.