CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State Men's Soccer team will head north for the season-opening weekend, taking on No. 4 McKendree (Ill.) on Thursday and Maryville (Mo.) on Saturday.
 
Action will commence at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday against the Bearcats at Leemon Field in Lebanon, Illinois, and will conclude against the Saints on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Maryville Soccer Field in St. Louis, Missouri.
 
"I'm hopeful that Hillcat Nation can expect an exciting experience whenever they come and watch us," commented first-year head coach Jake Simpson. "We are very front-footed with a lot of action, a lot of goals and a very physical, high-paced style of play that they would like to watch. Hillcat Nation helped us a lot last year, and we hope we can represent them again at the national level."
 
WELCOME BACK, CHAMPS
The Hillcats men's soccer team will feature 36 players this season, including 22 returning athletes, 10 true freshmen and four transfers. The Hillcats will look to replicate a historic 2024 season (9-5-7, 8-1-3 GAC) that featured a co-GAC/MIAA Regular Season Championship and the first-ever trip and win at the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I am very excited and confident," commented Simpson. "I feel like we have a really strong group. I am hoping we can replicate last season's success and go a step further."
 
RSU shared the GAC/MIAA Championship with Southern Nazarene, whom they went on to beat 3-2 (OT) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in University Center, Michigan. Their storied season came to an end in a 0-0 PK heartbreaker to Saginaw Valley State.
 
NEW ERA, SAME TRADITION
Simpson, a former Hillcat All-American and multiple-time All-GAC/MIAA selection, was appointed the new head coach of the program in December 2024 after previously serving as an assistant coach.
 
The Cambridge, England, native returned to the Hill last season after a season as an assistant at Oklahoma Christian, where he played a key role in leading the Eagles to their second consecutive appearance in the Lone Star Conference Tournament semifinals. Under his guidance, the team boasted a First Team All-South Central Region player and the LSC Freshman of the Year, alongside six other All-LSC selections.
 
During his first three seasons with the Hillcats, Simpson contributed to the team's three consecutive appearances in the GAC/MIAA Tournament, including winning both the GAC/MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Championships in the spring of 2021. The team also achieved a ranking as high as No. 9 in the USC Coaches Poll during the fall 2021 season.
 
Simpson started his coaching career as an assistant at Rogers State in 2020, joining the coaching staff after completing one of the most exceptional individual seasons in Rogers State's athletic history.
 
In 2019, he received several national accolades, including being named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team, CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team, CoSIDA Academic All-District Team, and United Soccer Coaches All-Central Region First Team, among others.
 
During his senior season, Simpson set two school records by registering 37 shots on goal and accumulating 36 points, averaging 1.8 points per game.
 
His accolades also included multiple conference honors, such as the All-GAC/MIAA First Team, GAC/MIAA All-Tournament Team, GAC/MIAA Distinguished Scholar-Student Athlete and recognition as the GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Week three times.
 
Simpson's previous honors include being named to the All-Heartland Conference Third Team and receiving Scholar All-West Region honors from the United Soccer Coaches in 2017. In 2016, he was selected for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) NCAA Division II Men's All-South Central Region Second Team and the All-Heartland Conference First Team.
 
Over his career with the Hillcats, Simpson played 59 games, starting 57 and logging a total of 4,729 minutes on the field. He netted 27 goals, with 14 scored in his final season.
 
Simpson succeeds Hall of Fame head coach Derek Larkin, who transitioned to an administrative role for the Hillcats at the end of the 2024 season. Larkin, the only other men's soccer coach in the program's history, achieved a .600 winning percentage (175-109-46) over 18 seasons and was named GAC/MIAA Coach of the Year in both 2021 and 2022. His coaching staff was also honored with the USC Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2022 and 2024.
 
PRESEASON REPORT
"Practices have been really intense," Simpson remarked. "We came back probably the fittest I have ever seen us. We had a fitness test in the first week, and the results far surpassed our expectations coming in. Competition has been very high with everyone trying to prove themselves, which has created an environment for success that I like."
 
The Hillcats quickly got back to action following summer break, participating in exhibition matches against Oral Roberts on Aug. 15, Oklahoma Wesleyan on Aug. 21 and Midwestern State on Aug. 29. 
 
HISTORY AGAINST MCKENDREE
Thursday's matchup between the Hillcats and Bearcats will mark the second all-time meeting between the two programs. Last season, MCK defeated RSU with a score of 4-2 in Claremore. MCK then advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament with an impressive record of 15-1-7 (8-0-6 GLVC) before losing to Lynn University in the semifinal match.

HISTORY AGAINST MARYVILLE
Rogers State and Maryville will face each other for only the second time in history on Saturday. In their first meeting last season in St. Louis, the teams played to a 1-1 draw. The Saints concluded the season with an impressive record of 11-5-6 (9-2-3 GLVC), but they were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by the University of Findlay, 3-2.

NON-CONFERENCE SLATE
Following their first two games this week, the team will have additional non-conference road contests. They will face their in-state rival, Oklahoma Christian, on Sept. 13 in Oklahoma City. Additionally, they will compete against St. Mary's University (Texas) on Sept. 19 at a neutral site in Wichita Falls, Texas.
 
Fans can support the Hillcats during two non-conference home games at Soldier Field: the first against Rockhurst (Mo.) on September 11 at 3:00 p.m. and the second against UT Tyler (Texas) on September 17 at 7:00 p.m.
 
CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
The Hillcats are predicted to finish tied for first place in the GAC/MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving a total of 33 points, which puts them on equal footing with rival No. 23 Fort Hays State.
 
"The conference is full of teams that can surprise any team on any given day," Simpson said about the GAC/MIAA. "There's no easy game in the league, and there are strong teams like Fort Hays and Southern Naz that are always near the top. I expect some absolute wars and battles all season."
 
The Hillcats received one more first-place vote than Fort Hays, bringing their total to four. Southern Nazarene is projected to come in third with 26 points, followed by Newman with 22 points, Northeastern State with 16 points, Ouachita Baptist with 10 points and Harding with seven points.
 
The defending GAC/MIAA Co-Champions will start league play in Arkansas, facing Harding on Sept. 25 and Ouachita Baptist on Sept. 27. Other significant road games include matches against Southern Nazarene on Oct. 11 and Fort Hays State on Oct. 25, as well as encounters with Newman on Oct. 23 and Northeastern State on Nov. 6.
 
The home conference schedule begins on Oct. 2 against Fort Hays State at 7:00 p.m., followed by a game against Newman on Oct. 4 at 1:00 p.m. RSU will also host Northeastern State on Oct. 16, Ouachita Baptist on Oct. 18 and Southern Nazarene on Oct. 29. The home league schedule will conclude with Senior Day on Nov. 8 against Harding at 1:00 p.m.
 
The 2025 GAC/MIAA Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 14-16, with times, locations and matchups determined by the outcomes of the regular season.
 
MEET THE FORWARDS
The Hillcats will roster 12 forward attackers this season, with six returners and six freshmen.
 
Senior Brandon O'Rourke is returning for his senior season as a vice-captain. Last season, the Bartlesville native earned several accolades, including USC First Team All-Region, Second Team All-Region, First Team All-GAC/MIAA and CSC Academic All-District honors. He played and started in 21 games, accumulating a total of 1,580 minutes on the field. O'Rourke scored seven goals and provided five assists, totaling 19 points. He took 37 shots, with 19 of them on target.
 
"O'Rourke is very much a leader by example," Simpson said about his vice-captain. "He has great energy, never gives up, and is always flying around to come up with massive goals and moments for us."
 
Sophomore Louis Bassett returns to Claremore after an impressive freshman season. The Leicester, England, native was named Second-Team All-Region and Second-Team GAC/MIAA last year. He played in 17 games, starting 15 and logged a total of 1,045 minutes on the field. Bassett scored three goals and contributed five assists, totaling 11 points. He took 24 shots, with 11 of them on target.
 
Sophomore Noah Preston-Watkins is poised to make a significant impact following an impressive freshman season. From Pontypool, Wales, he earned recognition as a Second Team All-Region player and was named the GAC/MIAA Newcomer of the Year. Additionally, he received a Second Team All-GAC/MIAA selection. During his freshman year, Preston-Watkins played in 20 games, starting 15, and logged a total of 1,082 minutes on the field. He scored six goals and provided three assists, totaling 15 points. Furthermore, he took 40 shots, with 22 of them on target.
 
Elijah Bustamante is back for his junior season at RSU. The Broken Arrow native participated in three games during the 2024 season, logging a total of 52 minutes on the field. He recorded one assist and took one shot during his appearances.
 
Junior Lawson Ford, a native of Edmond, returns for his junior season on the Hill. In 2024, he played in 21 games with six starts, accumulating 753 minutes on the pitch. He scored one goal and provided one assist for a total of three points. He also fired off 11 shots with six on target.
 
Junior Carson Copenhaver is back again at forward for the Hillcats. Last season, the Bixby native appeared in the 4-0 win over Ouachita Baptist.
 
Kenzo Shabazz-Edwards is an incoming freshman from Colchester, England. He attended Philip Morant College and has impressed the coaching staff early in the season. Shabazz-Edwards plans to earn a degree in finance at RSU.
 
"Kenzo is new to America and is electric," Simpson remarked on the freshman. "He's a big boy and definitely has some ability to adapt to our style of play and play a big part."
 
Freshman Miguel Madrigal joins RSU after attending Norman North High School. The former Timberwolf was honored as the OKC Metro Player of the Year and was also recognized as the Gatorade High School Player of the Year. He recorded an impressive total of 30 goals and 10 assists during his high school career. Madrigal plans to pursue a degree in business at RSU.
 
Bronson Brown is an incoming freshman from Auckland, New Zealand. He attended Orewa College and excelled at the club level in sports. He plans to pursue a degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management at RSU.
 
Freshman Harkaran Sahota joins the team from Iroquois Ridge Secondary School in Oakville, Ontario. He was recognized as the soccer MVP and made the honor roll during his time there. In just seven games, Sahota scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists for the Wolves. He plans to pursue a degree in sports marketing at RSU.
 
Freshman Reuben Truter joins the team from Cape Town, South Africa. He played high school soccer at St. Joseph's College in England, where he served as team captain during the 2024/25 season and was the highest goal scorer. Additionally, he held leadership positions as Deputy Head Boy at St. Joseph's College and Head Boy at Moorland Private School. Over two seasons, he achieved impressive statistics, recording 34 goals and 18 assists. He plans to earn a degree in business administration and marketing at RSU.
 
Freshman Jamie Kennedy joins the team from Rouse Hill Anglican College in Sydney, Australia. He has been recognized as a two-time College Athlete of the Year and has also received the Australian Defense Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award on two occasions. Kennedy plans to pursue a degree in Allied Health Science with a focus on Pre-Athletic Training at RSU.
 
MEET THE MIDFIELDERS
Eight players, including six returnees and two freshmen, will look to control the Hillcats' midfield.
 
Ryan Harvatin will return to the team for his senior season in the Red and Navy. The O'Fallon, Missouri, native has played in 17 career games at RSU, accumulating 353 minutes on the field. He has scored three goals, including the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Ouachita Baptist in 2023.
 
Grayson Horsley is returning to the Hill for his junior campaign in 2025. Last season, the Owasso native played in 12 games, making five starts and accumulating 385 minutes on the field. He recorded one assist and fired off one shot, which was on target.
 
Junior Kaleb Trussell returns to the Hill as a midfielder. In 2024, the Edmond native played in 12 games, starting five and logged 953 minutes. He scored one goal and took seven shots, three of which were on target.
 
Oliver Hemlin returns to the Hill for his sophomore season. The native of Tring, England, played and started in five games in 2024, logging 217 minutes. Additionally, he took one shot, which was on goal.
 
Ashton Medina returns for his sophomore season at RSU. The Frisco, Texas native played in 15 games, logging 320 minutes on the field. He scored one goal and took four shots, with two of those on target.
 
Redshirt freshman Hayden Parker will aim to see action this season after taking a redshirt in 2024. He is a two-time MVP, an All-State selection and a two-time All-District player at Owasso High School. He served as team captain in 2024 and led the Rams to the Regional Championship.
 
Freshman Linus Lofdahl joins the team from NTI Handelsgymnasium in Stockholm, Sweden. He plans to earn a degree in Business Administration and Management at RSU.
 
Freshman Alex Frost joins the team from St. Augustine's in St Helens, United Kingdom. He intends to pursue a degree in business administration at RSU.
 
MEET THE DEFENDERS
Rogers State will roster 12 defenders this season, consisting of six returners, four transfers and two freshmen.
 
Senior team captain Artur Carvalho is determined to finish his time at the Hill on a high note in 2025. Hailing from Faro, Portugal, Carvalho has garnered several accolades, including being named a 2024 CSC Academic All-District player. He also earned spots on the 2024 D2CCA All-Region team and the 2024 All-GAC/MIAA Second Team. Additionally, he received recognition as a 2023 D2CCA Second Team All-Region player and was an All-GAC/MIAA Second Team honoree in 2023. Last season, Carvalho played in 19 games, starting 18 of them and logging 1,559 minutes on the field. He scored one goal and recorded eight shots, with four of those on target.
 
"Artur is our captain," Simpson commented on the senior. "He's brilliant, leads by example, and upholds the standard. He knows what I want out of a captain, and everyone loves him."
 
Alex Laing aims to anchor the defense once again in his senior season as a vice captain. He has been recognized as a 2024 USC First Team All-Region selection, a 2024 D2CCA Second Team All-Region honoree and was named to the Second Team All-GAC/MIAA. Last season, the London, England native played in and started 20 games, totaling 1,526 minutes on the field. He scored two goals and took 10 shots, with eight of them on target.
 
"Laing is the perfect example of someone who came in and redshirted his first year and kind of fought through some adversity to break into the team, and now he's one of the top defenders in the entire conference," Simpson remarked on his other vice-captain. "He is a threat going forward, and again another leader by example, by how he acts."
 
Senior Ethan Koepke returns to RSU for his final season in 2024. Last year, the Moore native competed in seven games, playing a total of 74 minutes.
 
Alex Fletcher returns for his junior season at RSU. Last season, the native of Pontefract, England, played and started in 18 games, logging 1,409 minutes on the pitch. He scored one goal and took 13 shots, with six on target.
 
Sophomore Sam Ryder (Christchurch, New Zealand) looks to build on an impressive freshman season in 2024, during which he earned All-GAC/MIAA Honorable Mention as a receiver. He played in 21 games, starting 17 and logged a total of 1,469 minutes on the pitch. Throughout the season, he scored one goal and provided one assist, totaling three points. Additionally, he took two shots, with both attempts being on target.
 
Jackson Boreham returns to the Hill for his sophomore season. Last season, the former Deer Creek High School star played in 10 games with one start, accumulating 287 minutes.
 
Junior Dylan Berry from Allen, Texas, transferred to the program in the offseason from Dallas Baptist University. As a freshman in 2023, he played in 17 matches, starting in nine of them and logged a total of 904 minutes on the defensive backline. During the 2024 season, Berry appeared in five matches, contributing 143 minutes of play. He scored his first career goal, which was also the game-winner, in the 89th minute of a 2-1 victory against No. 2 CSU Pueblo.
 
Junior Tom Dixon joins the Hill after playing at Coker University. The Wolverhampton, England native, appeared in 34 matches with 12 starts over two seasons for the Cobras. Additionally, he scored two goals and assisted on one more.
 
"Tom played in the national at Coker last year," Simpson commented on the transfer. "He's come in and just hit grown running and fits in well with the lads and the system."
 
Junior Conor Mills joins the program after playing at Young Harris College. The native of Sydney, Australia, appeared in 11 games, scoring a goal and providing an assist.
 
Sophomore Pau Ndaw-Codina joins the team after spending a season at Muskegon Community College. The London, England native appeared in 11 games with eight starts in his freshman season. He tallied 12 total points with six goals.
 
Freshman Devon Garza joins the team from Rock Hill High School in Frisco, Texas. He was recognized as the Team MVP for the 2024-2025 season and earned honors as Co-Utility Player of the Year, Second Team All-District and TASCO Academic All-State. During his time with the Bluehawks, he recorded 25 assists and scored 10 goals. Garza plans to pursue a degree in biology at RSU.
 
Mason Largent is an incoming freshman from Edmond Memorial High School. He has received multiple honors, including All-State, All-District (twice), All-Conference and Freshman of the Year. During his time with the Bulldogs, he recorded an impressive 35 goals and 20 assists. Largent plans to pursue a degree in biology at RSU.
 
MEET THE GOALKEEPERS
The goalkeeper position is open following the graduation of Declan Viljoen, an All-Region and All-GAC/MIAA goalkeeper. Viljoen is now on the coaching staff to mentor his successor.
 
"There is a lot of competition and depth at goalkeeper," Simpson commented. "My mind changes daily with the three guys competing for the spot because they are all good. If you put them all together, we'd easily have an All-American."
 
Junior Casey Copenhaver from Bixby participated in one game last season, playing a total of seven minutes in 2024 and contributed to a combined shutout.
 
Junior Jaxon Kendall, a former transfer from Central Arkansas, did not play last season. He previously played high school soccer for the Owasso Rams.
 
Junior Grainger Scott, another transfer, came from Victoria University of Wellington and did not play in 2024. He played high school soccer at Rongotai College in Wellington, New Zealand.
 
Redshirt freshman Matthew Hepner from Edmond redshirted in 2024 and will be sidelined in 2025 to get an injury-free season under his belt after a discussion with the coaching staff.