After coming off of an impressive season in 2024, the Moraine Valley Community College men’s soccer team is not aiming to carbon copy that performance but build on what they have returning to the roster and the group of talented newcomers.
Every soccer season is different at this college level with rotating student-athletes coming in and out, so comparing last year to this year would be a disservice. Many Cyclones starters graduated and transferred after last season. Head Coach Chris Koloffon, entering his sixth season leading the program, knows how talented his guys were last year and disappointed at how they came up just short at the end of an incredible run, but he won’t take away from what this new crew can bring to the table.
“We’re young and reloading this year, but we expect to compete because of the culture of the program. We don’t use being young as an excuse though. We have expectations because of what we’ve built here, and that will carry us through,” Koloffon explained. “The rotating roster is not unique to Moraine Valley, this goes for everybody at this level. We’ll be prepared either way and toughened up from preseason. From what I’ve seen so far, we’ll be able to compete.”
Leading the squad will be the lone returning starter from last season, Fernando Alvarez (Epic Academy), who earned All-Region second team honors and scored the golden goal in the region quarterfinals. He will be the captain and lead the center midfield. Also returning is Dawid Kurzeja (Stagg), who was a sub last season but has worked hard to be exactly what the team needs on the field this year. He will be on defense with his speed and tenacity.
Among the newcomers is Jesus Villanueva (Chicago Hope Academy), who will be a key starter with experience in center back; David Perez (Morton East), who will be solid in the midfield; Julian Soto (Morton West), a transfer who will be another strong presence in center back; Diego Ochoa, an All-State midfielder from Reavis; Miguel Puntos (Cristo Rey Jesuit), a talented left-footed midfielder who can play a variety of positions on the outside; Francisco Martinez (St. Laurence), a goal scorer who could be key to help open the offensive attack; and two goalkeepers in Giovanny Vega (Cristo Rey Jesuit) and Giovanni Gonzalez (Oak Lawn).
Although it may seem like the team is starting from scratch, Koloffon recruited experienced players who will continue to make this squad competitive and a threat on the field.
“We have the tools. We’ll compete for a conference title. We just need to get the highest seed we can in regionals, and we’ll be ready,” he said.
Joining Koloffon again on the sidelines as an assistant is Javier Roman, who also is head coach of the women’s team, along with newcomers Christian Perez and Abraham Shaban.
The Cyclones open their season at Kankakee Community College on Saturday, Aug. 23, noon. The team home opener is Saturday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m., against Bryant and Stratton College.
For updates on Cyclones Athletics, visit mvcyclones.com.
For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.
