By: Satbir Singh
Sports Information Coordinator 

Jordan Brown's first season as men's soccer head coach was a fresh new start for the program. None of the athletes had ever put on a Mohawk Mountaineer jersey prior to the 2021/22 season and nobody had played at the club level together.

Yet, under Brown the Mountaineers were able to finish the short OCAA season with a 2-2-2 record and clinch a first round playoff appearance.

"I think we can be proud of the steps forward we made this year," Brown said. "The team was literally brand new, including most of the coaching staff, so it took a lot of very fast learning and finding out how to get the best out of the group."

The Mountaineers began regular season play with a 5-4 loss to the Sheridan Bruins, a team that placed in the top-5 of the OCAA rankings every week. Mohawk would bounce back with 5-1 and 1-0 victories over the Niagara Knights and Redeemer Royals.

Mountaineers second loss of the season would come at the hands of the Knights 2-1, followed by a 1-1 draw against the Royals.

The biggest statement of the season by Mohawk came at the Mountaineers first-ever Tim Hortons field game. Down 3-1 late to the Bruins, the shorthanded Mountaineers were able to complete a comeback and draw Sheridan 3-3.

A 1-0 loss to the Conestoga Condors would eliminate the Mountaineers in the first round of the playoffs.

"Making the playoffs was a goal we wanted to achieve and we did that," Brown said.

Nonetheless, despite the early playoff exit, the excitement of men's soccer has been renewed under Brown that hasn't existed at Mohawk in a long-time.

Aleksa Markovic was one of the biggest additions to the program and led Mohawk with four goals in three games played, while Michael Gavrilos also became a key piece, finishing with two goals.

Amanjyot Singh had two as well and seven other Mountaineers added a goal on the season.

Goalkeeper Oliver Steinke in six games, including playoffs, only gave up 10 goals and made 39 saves with a shutout.

"Every player came in and contributed to some level this season, so it really was a team effort," Brown reflected. "I don't think we ever really got a fully healthy squad to pick from all season, which is a shame, but I'd just say thank you and well done to every player for their efforts."

The coach expects many of the key athletes to return next year, especially in the midfield and up front.

"I think we're losing a few guys in our back line, so that will be a priority to address," Brown said. "But ultimately we're looking to improve everywhere. We want to keep moving forward so if a top recruit becomes available that we can get, we'll go for them."

While the season is over for Mohawk, the work won't stop. Ensuring the athletes remain engaged in the classroom remains a top priority, but offseason programs to build for next season will also be implemented.

"We want to use this time to try and build in some more tactical concepts into the group," Brown said. "It's hard to do that in-season with such a short turnaround from tryouts to preseason and then the season. We can use this time to build the things we want to see next fall."

This year was the Mountaineers first playoff appearance since the 2016/17 season.