PITTSBURGH, PA. - In just a few short days, the Chatham Men's Soccer team looks to kick off their season.

The Cougars finished last season with a 4-2-4 conference record and saw the season come to and end with a loss in the Quarterfinals of the PAC Championship Tournament. After being picked to finish in the middle of the PAC, they look ahead to the end of the season ready to make their way back into the tournament. 

"This is by far our most difficult non conference schedule we have had since starting the program in 2019.  We felt it was time to challenge our players more in those September games to help us prepare for the conference season.  We look forward to testing ourselves against some top teams in the region in our first few weeks," said Coach Keith Danley. "This year we are focused on improving from game to game and growing throughout the year.  If we can keep that approach within the team throughout the Fall, we hope to be peaking towards the end of the conference season and prepared to make a postseason run in November."

Danley, who has been with the program since joining the PAC in 2019, made sure this years players knew what to expect going into this season. "We have spent a lot of time in preseason making sure everyone understands our objectives and principles of play.  The players have taken to things well so far and we look forward to seeing that come together as our season gets started."

With only one senior on the roster this year, this squad is relying on all of its returners to step up and take on new roles. "We have a strong core of returning players and are excited to see how they assimilate into new roles withing the team, both by taking on leadership responsibilities, as well as some guys adjusting to new positions.  Our returning group has set the standards for our incoming players and embraced the increased competition for places."

The standard Coach Danley talks about doesn't just start with one person, but the whole team. "Our players recognize the importance of being a tight knit group throughout the season, focusing on what we can control, and executing our roles to the best of our abilities."

The Cougars head into this season with four PAC Players to Watch, which includes sophomore Emilio Herrera and juniors Maxwell Cottrill, Xavier Johnston, and Justin Knox. Cottrill was previously a 2024 Honorable Mention All-PAC Player. 

Their first game of the season will take place this Friday, August 29th at 7PM at UPMC Graham Field vs the Marietta College Pioneers.