KANSAS CITY, Mo.  — The Catholic men's soccer team was ranked 19th in the nation in the first United Soccer Coaches (USC) poll of the season, it was announced today. It is the Cardinals first time being ranked in the top 25 under second year head coach Connor Keenan. 

The Cardinals started the season off on the right foot on the road against Shenandoah on August 29th with a 1-0 victory. Donik Elshani scored the match winning goal with less than eight minutes to go in the first half in his first match with the program. Owen Allegro and the Catholic back line played a solid game, allowing just one shot on goal to pick up a shutout in the season opener. 

Catholic's offense exploded this past week to pick up two victories over St. Mary's (Md.) and Desales by scores of 4-1 and 4-0. Holden Woodings, Ben Zimmer, Carson Shamoo and Christian Backich all found the back of the net in the win over the Seahawks with Shamoo and Backich each recording their first collegiate goal. The Cardinals dominated the Bulldogs on September 6 to come away with a four goal victory. Azaria Tewodros shined for Catholic with the first multi-goal effort of his career while Graham Leary and Backich also added their names to the scoresheet. Desales only mustered three shots in the goal, none of which were on goal, to secure the second shutout win of the season for the Cardinals.

Backich currently leads the way in goals and points for the Cardinals this season with two goals and five points. Tewodros matches Backich's goal total with two. The nine goals for Catholic in its first three matches are the most for the program in the first three matches of a full season since 2019 when they also scored nine. 

The next game for the Cardinals is on Saturday, September 13 for a matchup against Washington and Lee. The match will take place at 3 pm at Carlini Field. The Cardinals defeated the Generals 2-1 last season in the first meeting between the two schools since 2015.