New coach. New players. New team.

The ASU men’s soccer club has started fresh this year, and it is finding new ways to win.

Starting at the top, new coach Tim Marchisotto has brought years of valuable experience leading teams.

His resume includes tenures as the head coach for Grand Canyon University, Paradise Valley Community College and Olympic development programs in New Jersey and Arizona.

Among other things, he has also served as a scout for the former New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer.

But coaching experience isn’t the only thing the Sun Devils bring to the table. While several players have returned from previous years, new talent has wormed its way in.

Currently, ASU does not have an NCAA men’s soccer team, but most of the club’s players possess enough talent to play for big schools.

In fact, many received offers from other colleges but decided to attend ASU for various reasons.

“Most of these guys could play at other schools, but they wanted to stay in state,” junior midfielder Mike Glen said.

International players, especially, have made immediate impacts on the team’s performance.

Forward Matt Smith, a transfer from England, leads an explosive new offense for the Sun Devils. He brings valuable experience to a team that already enjoys a deep talent pool.

“I came here [to ASU] from Manchester University through an exchange program,” Smith said. “I don’t think you can play at other schools as an exchange student, so this allows me to play.”

When asked about their motivation to play, both Glen and Smith agreed – it’s all about the love of the game.

Accordingly, the team savors the new prosperity. Practices are fun and loose, and the players enjoy themselves.

It would be hard to imagine the team has had troubles, but with a new coach and new players comes obstacles, and bonding and cohesion took time.

Luckily for the Sun Devils, they have come together just in time for Regionals of the National Intramural-

Recreation Sports Association, which will be held Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in Las Cruces, N.M.

“The team started out slow, but we are beginning to click,” senior defender Ben Miller said. “The expectation for Regionals is to win and win big.”

In a span of five games from Sept. 26 to Oct. 10, ASU won handily, outscoring its opponents 29-3.

But those opponents were not simply pushovers. The Sun Devils’ competition includes schools such as UA, San Diego State, University of Texas-El Paso and New Mexico State.

The Sun Devils practice like a regular NCAA program, and the games are just as fierce.

As a result, expectations are hefty for the club, and they believe they can go to Nationals.

While the goal may seem daunting, the Sun Devils are definitely equipped to win Regionals and advance to the national competition.

The team’s talent stretches across the field, with seemingly no weakness in the lineup.Smith and Mike Menos have combined to create a terrifying attacking threat, while Nic Salhuana has stepped up immensely in the midfield after Jesse Goldberg was sidelined with an ACL injury.

But the Sun Devils’ success also stems from their rock-solid defense.

“This is one of the most outstanding defenses I have ever coached,” Marchisotto said.

Led by starters Ben Miller, Tristan Colyar, Dan Steuber and Dan Ware, the Devils have only given up 12 goals through their first 11 games.

Goalkeeper Jake Pfeiffer has also played a vital role in establishing the team’s defensive dominance.

With such a potent offense and concrete defense, the Sun Devils are poised to accomplish big things.

“Our ultimate goal is to win Nationals,” Miller said. “But we have to take it one step at a time.”