The Western Washington University men’s soccer team finished up its preseason and non-conference games strong, ahead of a looming Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener.
To start the year, the Vikings had four consecutive games on the road and were able to win one and tie one. However, they completely dominated their first two home games. They didn’t concede a goal in 180 minutes and won by an aggregate score of 5-0.
The team looks to carry over the confident attack that took 33 shots in the past two wins, as well as to continue playing stout defense.
They are primed for a successful campaign even without graduated senior captain Gus Diehl, who finished his Western career last season.
Longtime Western head coach Greg Brisbon enters his 11th season in charge of the team. He doesn’t think the leadership is going to be lost with the departure of Diehl.
This season’s captains — goalkeeper Brandon Locke, defender Theo Steinmetz and defender Mitchell Hunter — have picked up the leadership slack, Brisbon said.
Going into conference play starting Thursday, Sept. 28, the Vikings and Brisbon are confident.
“We learned a lot about the conference last year and how thin the margins really are,” Brisbon said.
Brisbon consistently tells his team to take the season one game at a time.
“If we do everything we talk about doing, then good things will come [out of] it,” Brisbon said.
Another key departure from the Vikings was goalkeeper Patrick Restrum, who was the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
No. 1 goalkeeper Locke is now primed for a big year. The senior has had 28 starts in the previous four years and has started all six games this season.
Locke has allowed five goals on 79 shots faced this year. The defense is going to be relied on heavily, but Brisbon loves his roster equally. Brisbon said they don’t have a star player — they are just a complete team.
“They are almost all equal in talent, ability and work rate.” Brisbon said.
Western has had 16 different players start games in the early season, and Brisbon said he has five to six guys he can confidently play in the midfield.
Another bright spot early in the season is sophomore forward Albin Jonsson, who scored nine goals last season. In 2023, he already has five goals and is on pace to score 15.
“[Jonsson] knows this; He can play so much better,” Brisbon said about the young goal scorer.
Heading into the tough league schedule, Brisbon has had his team work on defending and attacking set pieces and creating as many scoring opportunities as possible.
The Vikings will look to continue their strong start to the year against a Saint Martin’s team they scored nine goals against in two meetings last season. They host the Saints at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28 at Harrington Field.
