A New Era of Soccer at NJC is About to Begin

By Brennen Rupp, JA

There is some buzz surrounding the soccer programs at Northeastern Junior College. On Monday, Aug. 22, a new era of Plainsmen soccer will start under the direction of first-year head coach, David Groves. Groves will serve as the men's and women's head coach at NJC.

Groves became the third head coach in Northeastern men's program history, and the first women's head coach this past February. Prior to becoming the head coach at NJC, Groves was the assistant coach at Western Michigan University.

The first women's soccer game in NJC's history will be played in Sterling against Snow College on Monday, Aug. 22, at 1 p.m. They'll play their first road game on Thursday, Aug. 25, against Western Wyoming Community College.

Out of the 19 members of the team, nine of them are Colorado natives, including a former Sterling Lady Tiger, Maren Patten. She was the first player to sign on the dotted line in the program's history. During her four-years as a Lady Tiger, Patten recorded 66 steals.

Goalkeeper Katie Saunders hails from London. She is one of three international players on the roster. The other two, Lauren Harper and Jordan Will, are from Australia.

The men will also play their first game on Monday, Aug. 22, against Snow College. Their first road game will also be against Western Wyoming Community College on Aug. 25.

The Plainsmen will have a fairly inexperienced roster with five sophomores and 29 freshman. Out of the 34 players on the roster, eight of them are international players and 16 are Colorado natives.