With its 13th national championship and sixth consecutive title secured this November, BYU men’s soccer completed yet another undefeated season.
But despite how effortless the team’s dominance appears, the expectations placed on a BYU men’s soccer player — both mentally and physically — are incredibly high.
The program has a long-standing reputation for success, and every player carries the responsibility of maintaining the legacy set by those before them.
But what does it take to be a BYU men’s soccer player?
“I think it takes a lot of grit. I think it takes a lot of determination,” said Mckay Erickson.
“I would say it takes you to be a high-quality person and a high-quality soccer player so you’re standards as an individual have to be as well as your standards as a soccer player,” said Colton Rouse.
It takes “dedication, discipline, heart, grit, and it also brings a lot of joy too,” said Alex Fankhauser.
“There’s some personality traits that are a good fit for us and that is being humble, being hungry, and having some personality. You can’t come in here and just had a heart beat and play soccer … leadership skills are a big one but having personality, grit, and making an impact on the field,” said assistant coach Casey Waldron, describing the qualities the staff looks for when players try out for the team.
Those traits were tested during the NIRSA Championship, where the team played six total games — two per day — with little time to recover.
The quick turnaround gave players just enough time to refuel and grab lunch before stepping back onto the field. To win a championship, players have to want it, and this team did. The Cougars left everything on the field, proving that even exhaustion could not stand between them and their next national title.
Each game brought new challenges, but the final proved to be especially difficult. The match was tied 0–0 at halftime before BYU came back after the break with a smooth set pass to Ethan Christensen, who scored the sole goal of the match, giving the Cougars a 1–0 victory and another national title.
To maintain a championship level, athletes must stay both physically and mentally strong. The team trains multiple times a week and competes on weekends, with practices focused on running set plays, scrimmaging and building stamina. The commitment doesn’t end when practice is over — training continues off the field to ensure players maintain their championship standard.
When asked about what it takes to be a BYU men’s soccer player, senior Max Magleby, who scored eight goals this season, emphasized the importance of extra work.
“It takes a lot of work outside of your regular practice with your team. I think most of us are either doing extra strength training or working on our touch, studying the game, just going the extra mile that others aren’t really willing to do,” said Magleby.
Since the team is not in the Division I ranks — largely due to Title IX — the players are not given scholarships to play for the team, a reality that shapes the team’s mentality.
“Our boys aren’t given everything,” said Waldron. “They have to work their butts off to play. They don’t get all the stuff. That’s what makes our team special, they have to fight for what they get.”
Each player must put in the work to compete at such a high-performing level, and dedication is required.
“In a way, everyone’s kind of sacrificing something to play at BYU, whether it’s time, whether its money, but like we all have that time together every day,” said team captain Ammon Oyler.
“In order to be a player on the team you have to enjoy what you do. Enjoy soccer over nice things you could get,” said Dylan Rodriguez.
Part of what makes BYU men’s soccer unique is the culture surrounding the team — something the coaching staff prioritizes when evaluating new potential players.
“Our culture is super unique,” Waldron said. “You gotta buy into the culture and you gotta live the culture and I think all of that encompasses the standards, the way they live. We say prayer before the game we say prayer to end the game. You don’t find that anywhere else. We care for one another and love one another and that’s what makes this program unique.”
When asked what they love about playing for the team, many players expressed their appreciation for the culture and how it played a major role in their decision to play for BYU.
“Being a BYU men’s soccer player means we have a high standard and it means that I get to push myself to my limits ever day physically and spiritually,” said Nick Sharp, a center back for the Cougars.
Beyond developing players on the field, the program also emphasizes personal growth off the field and learning from each experience.
“A lesson I’ll take into next season is to never doubt your own abilities. Since this year had so many ups and downs there were times I doubted myself and overthought situations. Next year I hope to be more confident in my abilities,” said Christensen.
Adding to the culture of the team, right back Taft Erickson discussed what stood out to him most about the program.
“I think the biggest thing that stood out to me is that we don’t just focus on becoming better soccer players we focus on becoming better disciples of Jesus Christ and just better people in general whether that’s team temple trips, the devotionals we do every single day, the scriptures we share on the text feed, whatever it is,” he said. “We really are just preparing ourselves for the world not just for tournaments and games.”
Service is a big part of the team as well. They recently did a visit to Utah Valley hospital in Provo to help Minky Couture deliver baby blankets for the NICU.
Another way personal growth and leadership are emphasized is through player involvement in home games.
“We printed out a bunch of flyers, printed out a bunch of t-shirts, just spread the word as much as possible to get people to come to the games,” Oyler said.
Players are also responsible for setting up field barriers for games, bringing out equipment for practices and matches, and cleaning up afterward. Team captains additionally communicate with the coaching staff to ensure each player is doing well both on and off the field.
In an effort to encapsulate the culture and priorities of the team, a motto is chosen each season.
“Light,” which is the team’s motto this year and their goal to be a light to others, further solidifies the effort to be their best version off the field. The acronym described by the team stands for loving each other, being intentional, having gratitude, being humble and hungry, and being together.
Dedication, hard work, long hours, love, and devotion to becoming better both on and off the field — paired with the culture and brotherhood that serve as the foundation of BYU men’s soccer — are what make this program special. Being a BYU men’s soccer player isn’t just a normal soccer team. It’s a lifestyle.
