Cedarville’s men’s soccer program ventured into unknown territory at the regional level and exceeded all expectations to highlight what was a remarkable season last fall.
The Yellow Jackets earned more respect from around the region after winning an opening-round contest vs. Quincy in the NCAA Championship Midwest Regional as the No. 4 seed.
It took PK’s for the Yellow Jackets to secure the G-MAC’s first automatic-qualifying bid to the national tournament, but Cedarville proved without a doubt that it belonged in the playoff field.
The taste of postseason success at the national level will produce even more drive to get back and advance as far or further this time around.
Cedarville was picked again at the top of the league’s annual preseason coaches poll, but the gap has narrowed every year. The Yellow Jackets have been conference champs for three years running and have high hopes to make it four straight.
G-MAC Offensive Player of the Year and fifth-year forward Connor Gilmour is returning for a final encore. Gilmour was an NCAA Division II All-American, an All-Midwest Region Team pick and will have a comfortable lead in the career record books in certain categories by the end of the season.
Gilmour led the league in points (37) and goals (17) and tied for seventh in assists (3).
Two seniors on the all-conference first team graduated in the form of Zachary Harris and Joe Davison. Cedarville was well represented again on the all-conference team and return a number of rapidly-improving contributors.
The Yellow Jackets are in good shape behind net with Paulo Pinto and he’s a good one. Pinto set the conference single-season record in goals against average and posted a total of eight shutouts.
Despite rotating numerous players graduating every year, Cedarville just seems to reload the following season and make the necessary adjustments to stay at the top.
From the players’ standpoint, the brotherhood and common bond developed between the Yellow Jackets is a special part of the student-athlete experience. The culture is intentional as stated by senior forward Aaron Plummer and he loves being a part of it.
Faro’s Yellow Jacket programs have been dominant since he took over in 2013. He has won over 85 percent of his conference games (23-3-2) while winning over 75 percent of his contests overall (42-11-8).
His philosophy is sound and focuses on players developing as better leaders when they come through his system. Faro remains excited about the dynamic from his senior core this year as Cedarville attempts to make it four straight.
Head Coach: Brett Faro (4th season)
2015 Record (Overall): 15-4-2
2015 Record (Conference): 10-2-0
2015 All-Conference Performers: Connor Gilmour (Offensive Player of the Year, First Team), Zachary Harris (First Team), Joe Davison (First Team), John Schwien (Second Team), Paulo Pinto (Second Team), Derek Braak (All-Freshman Team)
Quotable: “This is a different team. A lot of the same guys but definitely a different team. This season is going to be a monster in itself. We’ve got to make it through preseason one day at a time. We’ve got a good feeling this year; I think we’ve got a really strong squad.”
- Cedarville senior forward Aaron Plummer
Records Watch: Connor Gilmour has 97 points (43 G, 11 A) heading into his final year as the conference’s current all-time leader…He also leads all players in goals with those 43 and really doesn’t have anyone coming up behind him in the rearview mirror anytime soon…With 11 assists, Gilmour also ranks tied for third all-time and his 208 total shots is another conference-leading number…Paulo Pinto ranks second in career wins among all G-MAC keepers with 21; his 10 shutouts is also a No. 2 ranking.