Senior Landon Hartsell dribbles around defenders from the Milwaukee School of Engineering on Sept. 13. Photo courtesy of Madi Petersen, The Wartburg Trumpet.

By: Landon Jepson 

The Wartburg Men’s Soccer team will host an American Rivers Conference (A‑R‑C) Tournament semifinal on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. at Salzwedel Field after clinching a share of the regular-season championship for the first time since 2013. 

The Knights, who finished the regular season 7‑7‑2 overall and 5‑2‑1 in conference play, earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. They will face Loras College and the winner will advance to the conference championship to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. 

This season marks a milestone for Head Coach Mike Madigan and his staff, Christian Coridon and Ben Smiley, capturing their first regular-season championship together. Wartburg, the two-time defending A-R-C Tournament champion, has relied on a mix of experienced veterans and impactful underclassmen to sustain its position as one of the conference’s top programs. 

Senior midfielder and team captain Sam McDevitt, a cornerstone of the Knights’ midfield, has been consistent in setting the tone for the team’s competitive mindset. 

“Our focus is on playing solid, disciplined soccer and controlling the game from the middle of the field,” McDevitt says. “Everyone knows their role and plays for each other, and that’s what makes us hard to beat.” 

Senior midfielder Landon Hartsell says the team is focused on maintaining consistency and executing its game plan. 

“We just have to keep playing our game and stay focused on what’s ahead,” Hartsell says. 

As the postseason begins, McDevitt and Hartsell say the Knights are focused on making every moment count. 

“We’ve worked hard all season, and now it’s about showing what we’re capable of under pressure,” McDevitt says. “We want to leave everything on the field and make this a season to remember.” 

With home-field advantage and momentum on their side, the Knights are ready to compete at the highest level and continue their pursuit of excellence in the A-R-C Tournament. 

The Knights will host the A-R-C Tournament semifinal on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. at Salzwedel Field in Waverly, Iowa, against Loras College.

For more information on Wartburg Men’s Soccer and the A-R-C Men’s Soccer Tournament, visit the Wartburg Athletics and American Rivers Conference websites.