Men’s soccer soars to No. 6 in final United Soccer Coaches rankings of 2024

12/18/2024 2:05:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement

DURANGO, Colo. – Following an incredible run to the National Quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Tournament, the Fort Lewis men's soccer team has jumped to sixth in the final United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll of the 2024 season.

The Skyhawks capped a memorable season with a 14-4-6 overall record and 7-2-1 mark in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play to earn the third seed heading in the conference tournament and the sixth seed in Super Region 4 in the NCAA Tournament.

Fort Lewis had an incredible run in the postseason, starting with a stellar 6-5 victory over MSU Denver in penalty kicks before routing Regis 3-0 on the road in the semifinals. While the Skyhawks fell 2-1 in the conference tournament championship, they went on to down No. 3 UCCS 4-2 on the road in the second round of the NCAA Tournament before handling Midwestern State 2-0 down in Wichita Falls. Ultimately, the season came to an end on a narrow 1-0 loss to No. 15 CSU Pueblo in the regional final.

David Citron headlined the Skyhawks postseason awards after being named a First-Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators and a Third-Team All-American by the Division II Conference Commissioner's Associations. Citron was also a two-time First-Team All-Region selection by the D2CCA and USC, the RMAC's Academic Player of the Year, and the winner of the 2024 RMAC Summit Award.

Gabriel Legendre and Jakob Larson earned All-Region selections from the D2CCA with First-Team and Second-Team honors, respectively. As for the USC, Tomas Duenes picked up a First-Team All-Region nod while Legendre and Casey Stracher garnered Second-Team awards.

Fabrizio Aguilera was named the RMAC Freshman of the Year and earned an Honorable Mention All-RMAC recognition as well. Goalkeeper Lucas Martin was tabbed with Honorable Mention All-RMAC, while Citron, Legendre, Larson, Duenes, and Stracher each scattered the league's first and second teams.

The Skyhawks now look to recruiting efforts through the spring to prepare for the 2025 campaign next fall.

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