Roadrunners soccer team ready for fall season

The 2024 State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners will be a team made up of a lot of new faces, with only seven sophomores returning with an influx of 21 freshmen. Roadrunners Soccer Head Coach Michael Poropat is pleased with what he has seen from his team so far.

"Training has gone well," said Poropat. "Our new players are understanding what I need from them. Hopefully, we will be able to develop a rhythm going in the direction that we need to go."

Poropat knows what style of soccer he would like to see the Roadrunners play this season.

"We want to play at a high tempo and pace," said Poropat. "When we have the ball, we want to go score goals. When our opponent has the ball, we want to dictate what areas of the field that we will allow them to have the ball in. We want to recognize the moment to transition as fast as possible. We must stay switched on for 90 minutes. The season is a grind but, we need to be switched on for each training day and each game."

Coach Poropat has been pleased with the leadership shown by all his returners from last year's team.

"Our freshmen are doing a good job following the example set by our returners," said Poropat. "Whether it be in regard to small stuff, which is also very important, like how to wash down a table in the cafeteria when they're done eating a team meal or cleaning up the practice field when we are done training. Everyone is pitching in this year."

"Mohamed Abriham is a returner who is working hard to earn more playing time," said Poropat. "Traven Wheeler has done a really good job as a freshman. Morgan Spilker is another new player who has come in and done a nice job of showing what he can do. Michele Tafani is a goalkeeper who has done a good job of establishing himself."

SFCC will open the regular season at home against Western Iowa Tech on Saturday, August 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. from the Fred E. Davis Sports Complex. The Roadrunners will open the always tough Region 16 schedule against Mineral Area College in Park Hills on Saturday, September 7.

"Our Region is very competitive," said Poropat. "All the teams in our Region have veteran coaches who have all been around the game a long time. I expect every game to be a battle, and I don't expect anybody to take an opponent lightly."

Coach Poropat has some goals he would like to see his team accomplish this season.

"Our team last year made a run to the Region 16 Semifinal said Poropat. "We hope to improve on that this season. I believe we can put a serious run together and have an opportunity to compete for trophies.

"I would like to invite everyone in the greater Sedalia area to attend our matches this year and cheer the Roadrunners on," said Poropat. "The support of our community means a lot to our student-athletes and coaches."

David Rohrbach SFCC Athletics