The Riverland men's soccer program enjoyed one of its best-ever seasons back in 2019, winning 10 games on the way to the NJCAA Region XIII championship game. Despite a narrow loss in that game, hopes were high that the team could accomplish more in 2020. With just four players set to leave and a majority of the team's starters returning, the immediate future looked bright. Covid-19 had other ideas, however. Riverland ended up cancelling its entire men's soccer season in 2020 due to concerns around the virus.
Fast forward to the 2021 season. Only five players from the 2019 team had returned. What started out as a big roster of 28 players was quickly whittled away. Four players were declared academically ineligible 48 hours before the first game. Two of the five returning players were lost to season-ending injuries in the third game of the season. Another player had suffered a season-ending injury during the second game. There would be other player losses during the season. It didn't stop the team from achieving success, though.
Despite all the challenges the season brought, the Riverland men's soccer team persevered. After starting the season 1-4-1, the Blue Devils went on to win 9 or their last 11 games, again reaching the NJCAA Region XIII championship game. Unfortunately for Riverland, it was a game too far and they succumbed to Anoka Ramsey Community College and finished again as Region XIII runners-up.
"It was definitely a season of challenges," said Riverland men's soccer head coach Frank Spaeth. "But I have motto I preach to the team on a regular basis, and that's to do the best we can with what we have." The team took that motto to heart, finishing 10-6-1 on the season. Four players, forward Lei Htoo, midfielder Danny Vargas, midfielder Jose Valladares and goalkeeper Lucas Evenson, were named to the MCAC all-conference team. Htoo, Valladares and Evenson were also named to the all-region team. And in spite of all the struggles and setbacks, it was a hugely successful season for the team.
"I can't help but think about how we would have done if everyone had stayed eligible and healthy," Spaeth remarked. "But looking ahead, we have quite a few of this year's team returning and we're already setting our goals even higher for 2022."
The fall 2022 season for men's soccer is slated to tentatively start on Wednesday, August 10 and the team's first match is scheduled for Friday, August 26 at home. More details will come out in the future. The team also plans on practicing this spring, as NJCAA rules and Minnesota weather will allow!
