Grand Rapids, Mich. -- A year of playing together has given the Aquinas College men's soccer team something it did not have when the Saints took the field last season: familiarity.
As Aquinas prepares to open the 2026 season on Aug. 22, the Saints return a veteran core that believes the lessons of last season have brought the team closer together and created a stronger foundation for the year ahead.
Senior midfielder Trae Collins said the biggest difference entering this season is the chemistry the team has developed after spending another year together.
"Last year we were still getting used to each other and learning how everyone played. This year, we're a lot closer as a team, and I think that chemistry is going to help us on the field. We know what to expect from each other, and we're excited to see what we can do together."
Experience Becomes an Advantage
Aquinas finished the 2025 season 4-8-3 overall and 3-6-2 in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play. Although the Saints experienced their share of challenges, they also showed signs of progress during the final weeks of the season.
Aquinas earned three victories over its final six matches, including a 4-0 road win against Defiance and consecutive home victories over Indiana Tech and Rochester Christian. The Saints defeated Indiana Tech 2-1 before producing a season-high five goals in a shutout of Rochester Christian.
Those results gave a young group evidence that it could compete and improve together.
For head coach Luke Ruff, the experience gained last season has been reinforced by the work completed during the preseason.
"The boys have put in an incredible amount of work this preseason, especially in the fitness side of things. We've also had a number of freshmen come in and I'm really impressed with their attitude, work ethic and quality."
Ruff said the returning players have helped establish the expectations for the entire group.
"Our returning players have come back fit and ready to go, which has set a great standard for the group. We're excited about the potential of this team and hopefully we can build on last year. The hard work continues!"
Production Returns Across the Field
The Saints return seven seniors and the majority of their offensive production from 2025.
Returning players accounted for 15 of Aquinas' 21 goals and 38 of its 54 points last season. That production gives the Saints experience throughout the lineup and several established options in the attack.
Senior midfielder Fikret Hasovic returns after leading Aquinas with five goals, three assists and 13 points in 14 appearances. Sophomore forward Evan Goodfellow recorded three goals, two assists and eight points during his first season with the Saints.
Senior forward Austin Tucker and junior forward Carter Hagan added two goals apiece, while Collins contributed one goal and two assists.
The senior class also includes goalkeeper Ivan Radovic, forward and midfielder Wyatt Snitzer, defender Timothy Phillips Jr. and goalkeeper Peyton Huffman.
Radovic made six appearances in goal last season and finished with a 1.08 goals-against average, an .828 save percentage and 24 saves. Huffman appeared in six matches and recorded a .778 save percentage.
Together, the seven seniors give Aquinas experienced players in goal and at every level of the field.
New Faces Join a Veteran Foundation
Aquinas' experience will be paired with a nine-member freshman class. The combination gives the Saints an opportunity to rely on established contributors while developing the next group of players within the program.
Assistant coach Hector Fernandez believes several newcomers could contribute immediately.
"We are very excited for this upcoming fall season and are looking to build on and improve from last year's season. We have a very talented group, and we believe our incoming freshmen will make an immediate impact and help us tremendously from day one. Adam Flanders, Marcos Real and Maurice Chandler are all players we expect to play key roles for us this season despite being freshmen."
Fernandez also pointed to Collins and Hasovic as important leaders for the group.
"We are also fortunate to have strong leadership from our returning senior captains, Trae Collins and our star player, Fikret Hasovic. Their experience, leadership and ability on the field will be extremely important for our group."
The presence of an experienced senior class should help the newcomers adjust to the demands of college soccer and understand the standards Ruff and his staff expect.
"The rest of the team has improved vastly throughout the offseason," Fernandez said. "We have seen a lot of growth individually and collectively, and the players are showing a great deal of commitment and excitement heading into the season. We know we still have work to do, but the potential of this group is very exciting. We are very, very excited about this team and looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this fall."
A Schedule Built to Test the Saints
Aquinas will prepare for the regular season with home preseason contests against Midwest United FC on Aug. 12 and Grand Rapids Community College on Aug. 19.
The Saints officially open the season at home against Indiana University Northwest at 3 p.m. on Aug. 22. Road contests against Taylor and St. Francis follow before Aquinas returns home for three consecutive matches against Goshen, Davenport and Spring Arbor.
WHAC play begins Sept. 19 when Aquinas hosts Cleary at noon. A challenging portion of the schedule arrives later that month when the Saints visit Rochester Christian and Lourdes before stepping outside conference competition to face Calvin and Alma.
The games against Calvin on Sept. 30 and Alma on Oct. 2 begin a demanding stretch of three matches in four days. Aquinas returns home to face Defiance on Oct. 3 before traveling to UM-Dearborn and Indiana Tech.
The Oct. 10 contest at Indiana Tech gives the Saints an opportunity to face a team they defeated during their late-season improvement in 2025.
Aquinas will then play three consecutive home conference matches against Lawrence Tech, UNOH and Cornerstone before concluding the regular season at Madonna on Oct. 24.
That finale carries additional significance for Collins after the Saints dropped a 1-0 decision to Madonna last season.
"I'm really looking forward to playing Madonna again. We know what that game felt like last year, and having another chance to compete against them gives us something to look forward to."
Turning Chemistry Into Results
As the Saints prepare for the season, their goals extend beyond individual statistics and results. Aquinas is also working to build a team culture grounded in character, responsibility, respect, teamwork and sportsmanship.
For a roster bringing together seven seniors and nine freshmen, those principles will help shape how the team handles success, adversity and the demands of the season.
The Saints will get their first official opportunity to put their progress on display when Indiana University Northwest visits the Aquinas College Athletic Field on Aug. 22.
Aquinas enters the season with more familiarity, most of its offensive production intact and a senior class positioned to lead. The foundation was established during a challenging 2025 campaign.
The opportunity in 2026 is to turn that experience into results.
