By Douglas Kidd
Men’s Soccer
The William Peace men’s soccer team had yet another historic season even though many would say it was a down year for the Pacers.
After coming off a second-place finish and USA South championship appearance in 2022 this Pacers finished the 2023 season with a 10-5-3 record and finished third in the conference. The Pacers were also knocked out in a hard-fought semifinal match against North Carolina Wesleyan in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
The Pacers were given many honors this fall with five all-conference selections as Jorge Lemus and Gavin Beaupre were selected for first-team all-conference teams.
Joey Hurley and Kwame Semackor were also selected for the second-team all-conference while Josiah Coronna was selected for the all-sportsmanship team.
Throughout the season the Pacers also picked up many USA South athlete of the week awards with six selections. Brennan Lagana and Lemus both picked up a player of the week selection while Jose Martinez, Tripp Kidd, and Semackor picked up defender of the week awards and Hurley picked up a rookie of the week award.
Lemus had another outstanding year picking up fourth all-conference selection and third All-region selection. Lemus also tied alumni Ivan Ponce for most career goals in program history.
“This season was one of the best ones, but not the best and every year we want to improve and be better than the last,” said Lemus. “As a competitive team our goal is to win titles and grow closer as a family and the message from the coaching staff aligned with that goal as the message was to work harder than the other team and never give up.”
The Pacers did just that beating defending conference champions Brevard, earning a tie against #14 in the nation Christopher-Newport, and beating eventual regular season champions Methodist.
The Pacers are looking to come back stronger next year.
“We have been taking extra steps in the gym and on the field to improve and get back to what we were,” said Beaupre.
Adding to Beaupre, Lemus also had his opinion on what the team is doing to prepare for the fall.
“We are more focused than ever and working harder to be collectable better in the field and in the classroom,” said Lemus.
Women’s Soccer
The William Peace women’s soccer team was also successful this past fall, staying over .500 with an overall record of 8-7-3. The Pacers would end the season sitting in fifth place in the conference and eventually get knocked out by Greensboro in the quarter finals.
Individually the Pacers did well earn three USA South all-conference selections and one all-region selection.
Kayla Johnson and Emma Avery both earned second-team all-conference while Courtney Arnold earned a spot on the all-sportsmanship team. Avery also earned herself a spot on the all-region third team.
Avery was also able to earn player of the week recognition scoring five goals in one week including one game winning goal.
“I thought the season went pretty well for us considering more than half of our team were transfers and freshmen,” said Arnold, “We had to get used to each other and establish team chemistry which allowed us to start fresh.”
This ended up being successful as the Pacers were able to go on a five-game winning streak during the season earning four wins and one draw.
During that streak the Pacers had two games where they scored seven or more goals as well as beat rivals Meredith and North Carolina Wesleyan.
“My favorite moment was beating Meredith for the third time in program history. I also enjoyed senior day and spending it with family and friends,” said Arnold.
Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams at William Peace will be working hard on the field and the gym this spring looking at chasing a championship in the fall.
If you want to watch some Pacer soccer both teams will be back in action this fall at Wake Med Soccer Park.
All information from William Peace Athletics and USASouth.net