WARRIORS EARN STAFF OF THE YEAR HONORS

WARRIORS EARN STAFF OF THE YEAR HONORS

Ottumwa, IA – The Indian Hills Men's Soccer team added another prestigious honor to its list of accolades following a record-breaking season in 2024. Head coach Zac Newton and his staff have been selected as the United Soccer Coaches Midwest Region Staff of the Year.

Newton, alongside assistant coach Caio Pereira and volunteer assistant Martin Ensastiga, led the Warriors to the semifinal round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Men's Soccer National Championship for the first time in program history. The Warriors were ranked No. 1 in the nation in the national polls for four weeks this year before finishing the season with a 16-2-3 overall record

In his first season at the helm of the Warriors, Newton saw a pair of individuals earn both NJCAA DI Men's Soccer and United Soccer Coaches All-American honors in Daniel Mulero (Asturias, Spain/Salesianos Santo Angel Aviles) and Lucas Bauer (Oldenburg, Germany/IGS Kreyenbruck). The Warriors also earned three United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors and four Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) All-Region selections.

As a team, the Warriors scored the third-most goals in a single season in school history with 65 while the team's seven shutouts are second-most in school history. The Warriors' 65 goals on the year also ranked ninth in the nation in 2024.

Indian Hills saw one of its most successful seasons after reaching the national tournament for the second consecutive year, and just third time in school history. Indian Hills knocked off six nationally ranked opponents on its run to a final four finish at the national tournament.

Newton collects his second-career United Soccer Coaches Region Staff of the Year honor after earning Mid-East Region Staff of the year honors while at Southeastern Community College.

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