RALEIGH, N.C. -  The William Peace men's soccer team enters the 2025 season with high expectations following a strong campaign last fall. 

The Pacers finished with a 9-7-3 record and captured the USA South Conference Championship after defeating Brevard in overtime. That victory secured the program's first NCAA tournament appearance, where they fell 1-3 to Mary Washington in the opening round.

Reflecting on last year's success, junior defenseman Joey Hurley emphasized the importance of the team's relationship with each other.

"The biggest learning experience is that we got success when the team had good chemistry and developing that earlier will get us success earlier in the season," Hurley said. 

As an upperclassman, Hurley is a key returner to this year's roster and will guide the Pacers both on and off the field. He highlighted a key strategy to obtain their expectations this year.

"The biggest expectation is to be able to move the ball up the field as a team to create dangerous chances," he said. 

The USA South conference has recognized the WPU men's soccer team by ranking them as second in the 2025 Coaches' preseason poll. They began to live up to the early hype by starting this season's record 1-0-1 with their home opener victory against Piedmont University, winning 4-1.

During that game, forward position sophomore Gabe Faria secured the first goal of the year, while Hurley added another on a corner kick to extend the lead 2-0. As the game progressed they sealed the win with two more goals in the second half.

With this momentum on their side and veteran returners leading the pathway, the Pacers will look to defend their USA South title and make their way back to this year's 2025 NCAA tournament.