Owls predicted to finish first

The Kenyon College Owls were tabbed as the favorite in the race for the 2023 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) men’s soccer championship, according to preseason balloting of the league coaches. The Owls are seven-time defending NCAC champions, with 13 overall conference titles since earning thier first in the 1990 season.

The Owls collected six of the nine possible first-place votes and 78 points overall. Ohio Wesleyan was picked second after garnering the remaining three first-place votes and 75 total points. Denison was selected third with 60 points, while Wabash was tabbed fourth with 53 points, followed by DePauw (37) in fifth, Wooster (35) in sixth, Wittenberg (32) in seventh, Oberlin (26) in eighth, and Hiram (9) in ninth.

Kenyon finished 2022 with a conference crown, a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a 19-2-1 overall record and a No. 5 national rank from the United Soccer Coaches. The 2023 team will be led by first-year head coach Travis Wall. The team returns 2022 All-NCAC first-team defender Aidan Burns, along with two second-team selections including defender Matt Nguyen and goalkeeper Jack Pedreschi. All three played a large role within a Kenyon defensive unit that yielded just 12 goals in 22 games, logged 13 shutouts and posted a team goals-against average of 0.55.

The 2023 NCAC men’s soccer season begins Saturday, September 1 with the Owls heading to Ada, Ohio to take on Ohio Northern University.