Thresher men's soccer picked to finish fifth; Thresher women picked to finish ninth in KCAC preseason coaches' polls
Both Bethel men's and women's soccer head coaches spoke at virtual KCAC media days about their upcoming seasons
On Aug. 8th and 14th, the men's and women's annual KCAC virtual media days took place respectively. Head coaches Luka Milicevic and Ignacio Milla were featured and asked about their upcoming seasons. The Thresher men placed fifth in the KCAC last season and were knocked out by number four-seeded Friends in the first round of playoffs. The women placed ninth in the conference standings last season and unfortunately missed out on the playoffs.
On the men’s side, virtual media day was started with Milicevic expressing his excitement about three returning starters, the Threshers’ captain, Lucas Pardo, and the center-back partnership of Juan Volker and Adalstein Kristinsson. Milicevic stated that they will bring the needed experience to the squad.
Another notable returner for Bethel this season is 2023 KCAC Freshman of the Year and All-KCAC First Team selection, Filip Maksimovic, who scored twenty-two goals in only eighteen games for the Threshers last season.
Although the returners will greatly impact this new season, Milicevic is excited about the nineteen recruits being added, four being international student-athletes. With two goalkeepers graduating with the class of ‘24, Milicevic is excited to include Kazimir Kromwijk, a junior transfer from nationally-ranked Indian Hills Community College, to the goalie locker room.
“He will bring valuable experience to the team.” states Milicevic.
The Threshers were overall picked to finish fifth in the KCAC preseason coaches’ polls.
Milicevic states that a notable match this season will be on the road against Missouri Valley, Currently ranked twelfth nationally in the NAIA pre-season polls.
The Bethel men will open the season against Hastings at home at Thresher Stadium on Aug. 28th at 7:15 p.m.
Milicevic made it clear during his time on media day that he wants to win, not just compete.
“I tell my boys, ‘Win at everything you do. Whether it's in the classroom or on the pitch,’” Milicevic said.
The next virtual media day was for the Thresher women, who were predicted to finish ninth according to the 2024 Preseason Coaches poll.
Women’s head coach Milla started the interview by stating that his squad will be taken up by 70% of new players this season.
These Incoming women include domestic freshmen, Madison Davis, Jaycie Scott, and Kenzie Stroud. Milla also highlighted international new players, Beth Lloyd, an English striker transferring in from Itawamba Community College, as well as a German midfielder/forward Leonie Kuhrt.
The Bethel women have a new squad this year, however Milla is excited for senior captain, Olivia Allen, to continue her successful journey. Allen began her collegiate career at Barton Community College, where she helped her team to their first national tournament appearance in school history.
“I'm very happy to have her lead us,” Milla stated.
Another returning spotlight is sophomore Briseis Gomez, who will overtake the highly sought-after number 10. Gomez started seventeen games in the 2023 season as a true freshman.
“We're expecting a lot from her this year,” said Milla.
Overall, the Thresher women were picked to finish ninth this season in the conference preseason polls.
Head coach Milla and his team will be traveling to Missouri to open their season against William Woods University on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Their first home match up comes on Aug. 28th, where they will take on Hastings at 5 p.m.