GODFREY – With a deeper roster, experienced leadership and lofty expectations, the Trailblazers men’s soccer team is entering the 2026 season with one goal firmly in mind: reaching the NJCAA National Tournament.
Head Coach John Dunn, now entering his fifth season at the helm, isn’t shying away from the expectations surrounding this year’s squad.
“I’m going to put my heart on my sleeve here and just put it all out there,” Dunn said during the program’s preseason media day. “I fully expect us to qualify for the national tournament. That, to me, is a minimum expectation.”
The confidence stems from a program that has steadily climbed the national rankings under Dunn’s leadership. After opening the preseason ranked No. 15 nationally, the Trailblazers believe they have the talent and depth to take another step forward.
“Every year since I’ve been here, we’ve gone up in our end national ranking,” Dunn said. “We need to go one further. I think anything short of going to a national tournament would be a disappointment for this group because they’re certainly talented enough.”
Depth Could Be the Difference
One of the biggest strengths Dunn sees in this year’s team is overall roster depth.
“I think we’ve increased our depth massively,” he said. “The gap between our perceived top player and our perceived 29th player on the roster is very narrow. We don’t have anybody who brings the level down in training. Everybody is competitive and ready to step on the field.”
That depth is expected to create fierce competition for playing time throughout the season.
“It’s going to be really hard for me to pick an 11,” Dunn said.
The Trailblazers also feature a strong international presence, with players from Germany, Scotland and beyond joining local talent to create a diverse and connected squad.
“We’ve got a group from all corners of the world,” Dunn said. “That’s just the exciting part.”
Key Players Ready to Lead
Among the players expected to play major roles are sophomore winger Cade “Piggy” Galaway, sophomore defender Max Ruelke and freshman captain Craig Moore.
Ruelke, a business major from Germany, joined the Trailblazers this spring after spending last year at another U.S. college program. Dunn praised both his athletic ability and leadership qualities.
“Since Aug. 1 when we arrived, he’s been one of the top guys in terms of helping guys settle in and organizing things off the field,” Dunn said. “He’s a great guy and a good player.”
Galaway, a biology major from Troy, Missouri, returns for his second season after battling injuries at times last year.
“We always know what we’re going to get with him,” Dunn said. “He’s an honest player, he works his tail off for the team, and he’s got the ability with both feet to make things happen.”
Moore, a central midfielder from Scotland, was sidelined last season after suffering a broken foot and receiving a medical redshirt. Now healthy, he is eager for a fresh start while serving as team captain.
“Craig is a really intelligent midfielder,” Dunn said. “He helps us retain possession and sets the tempo on the field for us.”
Finding Opportunities at Lewis and Clark
Each player shared a different path that led them to Godfrey.
For Galaway, staying close to home was a major factor.
“I only live about an hour away,” he said. “I reached out to a friend from high school who had gone here, and he loved it. I reached out to Coach Dunn, and it was super nice and easy. I’ve loved it ever since.”
Moore said Lewis and Clark offered him both a chance to continue his soccer career and pursue an education.
“If soccer doesn’t work out and I don’t get to the level I want to, at least I have a degree to fall back on and a career that way,” he said.
Strong Competition in Goal
Dunn also highlighted the team’s goalkeeping group as one of its strengths heading into the season.
Newcomers Hugo Calvo Muñoz and Jesus Marin join returning goalkeeper Alex Cahill, who is working his way back from a broken leg suffered in the spring.
Dunn praised Calvo Muñoz’s skill with the ball at his feet and Marin’s ability to make big saves, while noting Cahill’s strong performances during the spring season.
“We’ve got three goalkeepers, and I’m really happy in that area,” Dunn said.
Ready for the Challenge
As the season approaches, the Trailblazers are embracing the pressure that comes with heightened expectations.
Dunn believes the roster has the quality, athleticism and depth needed to compete with the nation’s best teams. Now, the challenge is turning potential into results.
“We’re not going to hide behind, ‘We want to compete regionally,'” Dunn said. “No, that’s not the goal. We want to go to nationals. At that point, anything can happen.”
For a Lewis and Clark team hungry to reach new heights, the message is clear: the destination is the national tournament, and the journey begins now.
