The University of St Thomas announces its 2024 Men's Soccer season schedule. As the reigning 2023 SCAC tournament champions and NCAA DIII National Tournament participants, the Celts are excited for another exhilarating season. This season, the Celts are led by first-year Head Coach Ernesto Ramirez.
Before accepting his role at St. Thomas, Coach Ramirez served as assistant coach at Occidental College and head coach at Los Angeles Surf SC. While at Occidental College, Coach Ramirez helped accomplish a historic double triumph by clinching both the regular-season championship and the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) title for the first time, along with the honors of the 2023 Region X and SCIAC Men's Soccer Staff of the Year award.
Season Kickoff
The Celts will play 18 matches, including a competitive non-conference slate. The season begins with a home opener against North American University on Friday, September 6th, at 4 PM. Following their home opener, on Sunday, September 9th, the Celts host Howard Payne University. These games provide an early opportunity for fans to witness the Celts' style of play. Each match will be a chance to build on last year's success and defend their tournament title.
Preparation
Head Coach Ramirez expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, stating," As the newest head coach at the University of St. Thomas, I look forward to a unique opportunity to lead a 3-time tournament championship program to bring more titles to Houston." Working in the off-season allowed Coach Ramirez to lay the foundation, establish goals, and create a culture that aligns with the program's values. "Our goals are simple and tie into our core values and pillars. Everyone in the soccer program knows who they are, and I am confident that we will be the best version of ourselves", says Coach Ramirez.
Leadership
This season, the Celts will rely heavily on senior leadership and experience. Three Notable key players and SCAC All-Conference team members, Ian Alvarez, Angel Ramirez, and Diego Lazo, are set to return and help the Celts achieve another opportunity for the SCAC Championship. Coach Ramirez adds, "Among these players are Elijah Flores, and Gustavo Otero, who will lead our group in the 2024 season. Alongside our experienced players and high-caliber sophomore class, each player's diverse background adds to our program and reminds us that pressure is a privilege."
Come out and support the Celts at SaberCats Stadium as they take on another promising season and defend their SCAC Tournament title! To view the full schedule, click here!
