Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Stetson University Athletics

Scoreboard

Tickets, donate, shop

Sport schedule
University logo on load main University logo on scroll
Ajmeer Spengler

Men's Soccer Bryce Hoynoski

Hatters to Make Long-Awaited Season Debut Tuesday

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everything from recruiting, to practice, to the start of the 2021 NCAA soccer season. For the Stetson Hatters under first-year head coach Emmett Rutkowski, however, the goal remains the same: solidifying their place as one of the premier programs in the ASUN Conference in 2021 and beyond.

The Hatters are slated to open the 2021 spring season at Florida Atlantic on Tuesday, February 9. COVID-19 has made for a different offseason for the Hatters, but Rutkowski keeps an optimistic mindset.

"It has been a blessing in disguise," Rutkowski said. "We are able to really teach and develop players and make them better for the long-term instead of being so result-based right away. We just have to be patient."

The Hatters finished the 2019 season with a record of 8-10-2 overall, and advanced to the ASUN conference semifinals, where they fell to NJIT. This season, the Hatters were picked to finish fourth in the conference by fellow ASUN coaches in the annual preseason coaches' poll.

After a 20-match slate in 2019, the Hatters are currently scheduled to play eight matches this season, two non-conference and six ASUN matches, as the NCAA looks to minimize potential COVID-19 risks. For Rutkowski and the Hatters, such a drastic change in scheduling may serve to strengthen the team both this season and long-term.

"With COVID, obviously, there was a big disruption," Rutkowski said. "For health reasons it is great just to play one game a week because your body can recover, but I think it can really benefit us as a young team in how we handle small adversity during these games."

Rutkowski was elevated to the head coach position in February 2020, but he has been a crucial part of the program since 2018, when he was brought on as an assistant coach. The former Mercer assistant coach has seen success at every stop, which includes a part in Stetson's run to the ASUN Championship vs. Lipscomb in 2018. Rutkowski credited his time as an assistant as preparation for his elevated role this season.

"As an assistant coach, you have more intimate relationships with the players outside of soccer. I played a big role in recruiting, and I got to see everyone develop as a player and as a person. It really prepped me well."

The Hatters enter this season as a relatively young, inexperienced squad. Stetson welcomed 15 newcomers to the program in the offseason, and the roster features only nine upperclassmen. With several departures, none bigger than ASUN Defensive Player of the Year Ian McCauley, multiple Hatters will have big shoes to fill.

Stetson figures to be in good hands this season under the leadership of its two ASUN Preseason All-Conference selections: junior forward Lewis Scattergood and senior defender William Suaut.

"Lewis went through some really difficult times," Rutkowski said. "He works extremely hard on and off the field. I thought he was going to be one of the top forwards in the league in his sophomore year. It is a great feeling as a coach to see someone really persevere and be ready for something."

Rutkowski had a similar glowing endorsement of Suaut.

"William, I thought, deserved to be an all-conference player last year," Rutkowski said. "He has been one of the most important pieces of this program in the last two to three years. He has really embraced his place as a leader and he can be one of the best players in the conference."

Stetson's depth extends far beyond Scattergood and Suaut, however. Senior defender Kyamanni Stewart and sophomore defender Calum Ferguson figure to play a large role in front of the net this season.

"Kyamanni has been a great person and player to coach and see develop," Rutkowski said. "I really expect Calum Ferguson to use that leadership role he has. I think he is ready for that moment to really lead the back line."

The Hatters will also field an overhauled goalkeeping unit this season, headlined by redshirt sophomore Owen Jack and redshirt junior Jacob Gruber. Jack saw limited action in his freshman season in 2018, and Gruber served as a backup for the Indiana Hoosiers for three seasons.

"I fully intend those two to really compete and both play," Rutkowski noted. "We do not have a lot of experience playing games, but we have a lot of talent and a lot of ceiling. I expect goalkeeping to be a strength for us going forward."

The 2021 season is one unlike any players, coaches, or fans have ever seen. For Rutkowski and the Hatters, success this season starts with a return to normalcy.

"I think our guys would agree that just going out and playing a game and enjoying competing again is first and foremost," Rutkowski said. "I think for me, it is how we compete, day-in day-out to win the ASUN Championship and make a run to the NCAA's. That, right now, is where our program is really successful - building off competing and playing after COVID."

It will not be easy for Stetson or any other program this season, but Rutkowski looks forward to the challenge.

"We have our goals, and we are all on board about achieving them. There are going to be some bumps in the road trying to obtain those goals. I look forward to dealing with that and seeing how we respond."

The Hatters will begin working toward those goals on Tuesday.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Ian McCauley

#3 Ian McCauley

D
5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
Owen Jack

#1 Owen Jack

GK
6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Lewis Scattergood

#15 Lewis Scattergood

F
6' 1"
Junior
Kyamanni Stewart

#18 Kyamanni Stewart

D
5' 9"
Senior
William Suaut

#6 William Suaut

MF/D
6' 1"
Senior
Jacob Gruber

#12 Jacob Gruber

GK
6' 1"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Ian McCauley

#3 Ian McCauley

5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
D
Owen Jack

#1 Owen Jack

6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
GK
Lewis Scattergood

#15 Lewis Scattergood

6' 1"
Junior
F
Kyamanni Stewart

#18 Kyamanni Stewart

5' 9"
Senior
D
William Suaut

#6 William Suaut

6' 1"
Senior
MF/D
Jacob Gruber

#12 Jacob Gruber

6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
GK