MOUNT VERNON – Nate Grosse's objective for this Cornell men's soccer season is simple.
 
"We want to be a more difficult team to play against," said the 12th year head coach. "We want to be tougher and make teams uncomfortable."
 
The 2025 Rams appear equipped to do just that, despite the graduation of a deep senior class that featured all-time scoring leader George Archer (98 career points) and three-time all-MWC performer Aidan Lerch (46 career points).
 
"Obviously we lost two big goal scorers. George and Aidan were so much of the show. Teams focused on them," Grosse said. "We're expecting more people to put the ball in the back of the net this season. Hopefully we can have 5-7 guys distribute goals with better team depth."
 
Cornell kicks off the season Friday with a 5 p.m. home test against Wartburg, the runner-up in the American Rivers Conference last year.
 
The Rams are ready to rebound after a 4-12-1 campaign last fall, which included seven setbacks by a single goal. They are picked sixth in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll, although have clear expectations to get back to the four-team MWC Tournament.
 
"Last year, we didn't reach our potential and there was a big sense of missed opportunity," said Grosse, whose squad took second in the MWC in 2023. "There's definitely motivation. Our guys kept a chip on their shoulder in the spring and had a productive offseason."
 
Cornell's young squad will be led by junior co-captains Sam Burmeister and Erwann Hiernaux. They are among a group of five returning starters, which includes junior Mason Parsley and sophomores Jake Elmore and Justice Toledo. Junior Fox Wight, a full-time starter in 2023, is also back from injury.
 
Toledo is the team's top returning scorer with three goals and one assist in 2024. Burmeister scored two points, while Elmore dished two assists.
 
Grosse is encouraged by a talented incoming class, one of the strongest he's had from top to bottom.
 
"We have several newcomers who have shown to be dynamic in the way they play," Grosse said. "That combined with our returning players who have been solid in previous seasons, our hope is to have a lot more guys contributing. Our starting lineup could change day to day."
 
Cornell's early-season schedule includes home matches against Lakeland (Sept. 2), Minnesota Morris (Sept. 7) and Augustana (Sept. 13). They sandwich the annual Bremner Cup contest at rival Coe Sept. 10.