Widdowson reaches 20th Season as Marauders look to build on 2025 success
8/26/2026 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - The Millersville Men's Soccer program returns to the pitch this fall with high expectations following a runner-up finish in last year's PSAC Tournament. It was a special year for the Marauders as they celebrated the team's 65th anniversary while claiming a fifth PSAC Eastern Division title. The Marauders enter another anniversary year as head coach Steve Widdowson enters his 20th season at the helm of the men's soccer program.
Widdowson took over the program in 2007 and found instant success, leading the Marauders to the PSAC Semifinals. He followed that up in 2008 with a 10-0 record in the conference regular season, claiming his first Eastern Division Championship. The 2008 team finished runner-up in the conference tournament before winning the NCAA Atlantic Regional and advancing all the way to the NCAA Quarterfinals. In 2011, Widdowson and the Marauders came closest to capturing a national title. Widdowson helped lead Millersville to its first PSAC Championship before winning the Atlantic Regional. The Marauders marched their way to the NCAA Semifinals before falling short of a national title berth.
Since 2011, Widdowson has claimed an additional four PSAC Championships along with three Eastern Division titles. Number six is on the horizon for the Marauders following a runner-up finish in last year's conference tournament with a young squad. So, a big question is: What keeps Coach Widdowson coming back year after year? "I think the biggest thing is the ability to be successful here at Millersville University. It provides a great location and education which attracts people to the university," said Widdowson. "There's also a lot of good soccer being played in and around this area. So, there's a good amount of players that we can look to and potentially recruit to bring into the university. Most importantly, I think we've had very good support from our administration, whether that be in the athletic department or above, that they've continued to support and invest in athletics. You put that package together and you can be successful here at Millersville."
Experience plays a critical role in having success on the field. The Marauders enter the 2026 season with a high retention rate, with 75% of the team returning, including five of their six All-PSAC selections from the 2025 season. The 2025 campaign featured a young squad that had a lot to face but handled it in stellar fashion, posting an 11-4-4 overall record. Along with that, the Marauders gained valuable experience in a tournament setting where they nearly claimed the PSAC title.
"Experience is priceless. We have a lot of good players, but so does every single program out there," said Widdowson. "The one thing you can't give players is experience; that just comes through time. We were probably ahead of the game last year with the successes that we've had. So, the important thing is to stay grounded and humble. The seniors can now understand that the season's going to have its ups and downs. You are going to face adversity and they'll be able to help educate our younger players. I think we have a very good blend and a very good balance this year. Now, again, it's up to us to take advantage of that situation."
Widdowson welcomes nine new players to the program this fall, with seven freshmen and two transfers. Each individual brings their own characteristics and individuality, as expressed by Widdowson.
"Each of them bring their own characteristics, their own individuality, but it is also now about blending them into what we want to do, how we want to play and how we can be successful," said Widdowson.
Coming into a new environment will take time to adjust, and that will come with mistakes. But mistakes create learning opportunities and growth as a player.
"Obviously, we've seen what is successful and how to play to be successful here. It's about teaching them, educating them, giving them the room to make mistakes, knowing when to use them, when to give them little breaks, when to put an arm around them, and when to have a go at them," stated Widdowson. "You know, we see it as a big jigsaw puzzle. We need all kinds of different pieces and that's what these new guys are bringing us. They bring us new pieces or even just expand on what we already do. I think it's a good combination with the experience that we already have."
The defensive side of the ball will see a much similar rotation on the back line and in the box. Gavin Massimi and Kieran Finegan return to the fold following a successful 2025 season inside the box. Both Marauders entered the 2025 season with limited playing time but handled it perfectly, allowing under 20 goals throughout the whole season. Joining them is freshman Logan Kratz, coming out of Lancaster, as Widdowson expects the freshman to spice up the competition for the starting role.
"They've got experience, they've made some mistakes, they've learned, and they know what to expect going into games right now. So, there's a good level of competition there with the returning players," said Widdowson. "We have a new freshman with Logan Kratz coming in as well, who is very capable. So, that adds competition, which is great for any position and player. The tough thing for a goalkeeper, though, is there's only one position that you can play. They've all got to battle it out, but again, I think they've got their experience and they've learned and they've grown."
The back line will also look familiar, with Kehmar Green, Travis Hemphill and Nolan McCarty all returning. Green led the back line alongside outside back Fallou Cisse, helping McCarty and Hemphill adjust to the system of play. Cisse does not return to the lineup this season following his graduation in the spring. However, an experienced Hemphill and McCarty can help transition a new outside back into the lineup and blend them into the trio.
"Defensively, I think we're in a good place as well, but we can still develop and we can still get better again. We always want to be looking forward," stated Widdowson. "Last year was great, but that's something you want to look back on 10 years from now. We want to be focusing on what we're doing over these next three months and making sure that we grasp all the opportunities there are ahead of us.
Offensively, the Marauders return all their top goal scorers from last season, with All-American selection Zander Leik leading the charge with 11 goals. Roy Parkyn, Brian O'Neill and Matias Schmidt are all key returners, combining for 16 goals. Juan Ortiz Escobar led the way in assists last season while also placing half of his shots on goal.
Historically, Millersville has always had a well-balanced scoring side, with one player not taking all the credit. That doesn't take away the hunger from any Marauder to place a shot on goal.
"It comes down to competition, which is great. You know, Millersville has never really been a program where we're concentrating on one or two guys to get us all the goals. I would rather see six, eight, nine guys getting four or five goals than one guy getting 15. That's much harder for defenses and other teams to count," said Widdowson. "You need a lot of players that are going to be able to contribute. So, we have that. We have a lot of different options and different guys that are going to step up on different occasions, and it really is going to be about that whole team contributing."
Experience will be critical for the Marauders entering the 2026 season. But as Widdowson stated, "it's up to us to take advantage of that situation."
The Marauders open their 2026 campaign against Holy Family on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
