For the first time in Newman University history, the men’s soccer team has clinched a spot in the MIAA/GAC postseason tournament.
In a recent interview on the “JetCast,” the athletics’ exclusive podcast, head coach Victor Domingues, expressed pride in his team’s accomplishment.
“We feel very accomplished … amongst ourselves and our program and the players and staff, we feel we deserve to be there,” Domingues said.
Seasonal success
The Jets secured the fourth seed in the tournament and are set to face off against Southern Nazarene University. Newman has already faced Southern Nazarene twice this season, splitting the results. Domingues believes that playing them a third time presents both advantages and challenges.
“We realize what it takes to play on that pitch. … Now that we got that out of the way, we know what it’s like to go out there,” he said.
One of the key contributors to this season’s team success has been the record-breaking performances of senior forward Alberto “Bethel” Romano. In a 4-1 home victory against Ouachita Baptist on Oct. 21, Romano completed a hat trick, scoring three goals in the match, including two penalty kicks. During this game, he broke the Newman program record for goals scored in a season.
Romano continued his record-breaking spree by setting a new school record for points scored in a season against Harding on Oct. 26. He didn’t stop there. During a match five days later against Roger State in Claremore, Oklahoma, Romano broke another record for the most shots on goal in a season.
The previous goal records were held by Carlos Bellosta Manchon and Ed Jabbari, who each scored 10 goals in the 2023 and 2019 seasons, respectively. Additionally, Manchon along with Luca Anelli held the record for most points in the 2023 and 2015 seasons. Manchon also held the record for most shots on goal at 27.
Romano currently boasts 12 goals and 25 points. He was named the Great American Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week twice this season.
“Winning this award twice makes it special because I was able to achieve this accomplishment during senior day week, so my parents were able to attend both games and I was able to enjoy my accomplishments with them,” Romano shared.
Romano leads the league with 49 shots and 29 shots on goal. He ranks second in the conference in both goals and points.
Standout soccer players
Other players have also had standout seasons. During the Nov. 2 match against Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, junior midfielder Gustavo Dias Juliani broke the school record for most assists in a season. He assisted three of the four goals in that match, bringing his total to 10 assists for the season.
“Breaking the record has helped me to expect better for the upcoming games,” Juliani said. “This is one of my best seasons as a player in statistical numbers.”
The previous assists record was set by Felix Tellez Ramirez, who had seven in the 2023 season.
Several Jets were recognized with 2024 All-GAC honors:
- First Team: senior Alberto “Bethel” Romano
- Second Team: seniors Caio Tascheto and Paulo Villalobos; juniors Gustavo Dias Juliani and Gabriel Dias Juliani
- Honorable Mention: juniors Gibran Villalobos, Gael Gonzalez, and Cameron Schroder; senior Juan Carlos Cordova
Leadership leaves an impact
Domingues credits the team’s culture and the players’ self-motivation for their achievements.
“They all just kind of, you know, themselves, you know, bought into accomplishing something together,” he said.
He also praised the leadership within the team, mentioning that they have a strong leadership group that helps maintain focus and composure during high-pressure situations.
As they prepare for the postseason, the team’s strategy remains consistent.
“We’re just treating it like any other game. No need to change our emotional behavior, mental behavior, tactical understanding,” Domingues explained.
He emphasized the importance of controlling the tempo of the game as a key to victory.
“If we can control the tempo, control the ball, we can control the game.”
Looking ahead, Domingues is optimistic. “Hopefully this becomes a standard moving forward now,” he said.
The Newman Jets will take on Southern Nazarene University on Thursday evening (Nov. 14) in Bethany, Oklahoma, in the first round of the MIAA/GAC postseason tournament.
NOTE: Player quotes for this story came from an article by Katrina Kowitz in The Vantage, Newman’s award-winning student newspaper.
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