MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's first conference title game appearance in four decades has put the Rams on everyone's radar going into the 2022 men's soccer season.
 
That's because 18 letterwinners and 10 starters are back and motivated for more after a historic 15-4 finish.
 
"Expectations and excitement are at an all-time high," said ninth-year head coach Nate Grosse. "That's the challenge, trying to manage that mentally. We're focused on our culture and the process every day… not the conference final or Knox."
 
The Rams tied Knox atop last year's Midwest Conference regular-season standings at 7-1. Cornell concluded its record-setting campaign with a 2-0 loss to Knox in the MWC Tournament Final.
 
To no surprise, the Rams and Prairie are projected to battle it out again at the top. Cornell is picked second in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 48 points and two first-place votes. Knox is the favorite to repeat with 53 points and five first-place nods.
 
"Our guys have worked hard to get to this position," Grosse said. "We want to enjoy the excitement."
 
The much-anticipated season begins at home Thursday at 5 p.m. against American Rivers Conference foe Luther. It's the first of six home matches in September before the Rams host Ripon Oct. 1 for the MWC opener.
 
Grosse has bolstered his large roster to 29 players, 17 of whom appeared in at least 10 matches last season when the Rams set a school record for wins.
 
"Last season was a big unknown with a relatively new roster," Grosse said. "We have a good portion of our players returning which is a big bonus. A large roster helps with competition. We have a large core group of players competing to get on the field. The intensity is there in training."
 
Cornell's top two scorers from last year are back in sophomore George Archer and senior Zach Miller, both first team all-MWC performers. Archer, the 2021 MWC Newcomer of the Year, paced the offense with 12 goals and 29 points. Miller was second in scoring with 26 points and 12 goals, highlighted by six game-winners.
 
Sophomore Mardoche Ntonku and senior Galen Westervelt contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively. Seniors Cian McNamara, Andrew Lopez, Blake Soto, junior Emerson Roy and sophomores Owen Smith and Will Bickel are returning key cogs from last year's starting lineup.
 
Bickel enjoyed a terrific freshman season at goalkeeper with 79 saves and six shutouts. He registered 15 wins – the most ever by a Cornell keeper – and allowed only 0.98 goals per match, the second-lowest output in school history.
 
Team captains are Bickel, Soto and Westervelt.    
 
Along with the wealth of experience, the Rams have a wave of young players capable of contributing this fall. The team welcomes seven first-year players.
 
"All of our newcomers have strong soccer pedigrees, some of whom could be in the mix," Grosse said. "We've spent a good amount of time on our culture, foundation and training. If we stay healthy, I like our chances of doing something special."