The Iowa State men’s soccer club has been providing players with a fun and competitive atmosphere since the early 2000s. The club faces off against other club teams from schools across the country as well as some Division II and III soccer teams. 

Senior and president of the club Jordan Golla emphasized the competitiveness of the team and the club’s aspirations to someday become a Division I sport.

“In terms of club teams we’re definitely one of the more competitive ones in the midwest and if we had the opportunity to have a D-1 team we’d for sure be competitive,” Golla said.

The men’s club soccer team has scored 15 goals in their first six games of the year so far and they show no signs of stopping their impressive run.

In the 2017-18 season, the club finished with 12 wins and four losses total. This year looks even more promising for the team. In September, the club hosted the Cyclone Invitational, which included the likes of Northern Illinois, Nebraska-Lincoln and Minnesota State University, Mankato, to name a few. The team made it to the finals and tied for first, as the championship game was canceled.

Although the team does have a competitive tenor, Golla also described the club as an outlet to meet new people and create friendships.

“Every day at practice everyone brings their all but at the same time a lot of us are friends,” Golla said. “So there is that friendly competitiveness where you go have fun and joke around with the team but when you’re in the games and practicing it is 100 percent competitive.”

Senior and Vice President Andres Montalvan also touched on the friendly atmosphere of the team.

“The good thing about tryouts is that its the first week of school,” Montalvan said. “Everyone is new so you get really close to them.”

The club’s tryouts are on the first Monday, Wednesday and Friday of every school year, which allows for students to meet new people and settle in faster.

“My best friends have all been from the club,” Montalvan said. “I spend most of my time here and this has definitely the been the biggest part for me, at least for friends.”

Junior Jake Orlowsky described his experience with the club as a good way to maintain the balance between his classes and playing games weekly.

“It’s been really fun,” Orlowksy said. “I like playing soccer a lot and it’s a good way for me to still take my classes seriously and play some competitive soccer as well.”