Despite losing in the NCAA Round of 16, the Kansas City Roos men’s soccer team still had a season worth celebrating.
The team finished its season with the most wins in team history and advanced further in the tournament than ever before.
Prior to the 2024 campaign, the most games the team had ever won was in 2001 with 12 wins. That same year was the only time Kansas City had won an NCAA tournament match before this season.
Through the course of the season, Kansas City played six nationally ranked opponents. Denver three times, UC Santa Barbara, Missouri State, and Pittsburgh. Kansas City won three of these matches. Twice against Denver and once against Missouri State. However, Kansas City also beat Missouri State prior to the tournament, when the Bears were unranked.
The match against Pitt was tough. The Roos forced extra time against the Panthers with a 74th minute goal, but fell on a 98th minute goal to end the season.
“I’m obviously incredibly proud,” said head coach Ryan Pore. “Pitt is a great team. We were under pressure a lot tonight. We were fighting, and that’s what we’ve done all season. I feel for the guys.”
Kansas City ended the season with one of the highest-caliber offenses in the nation. The team tied for the second most total goals in the season with 56, 12 coming off the foot of junior forward Elie Kisoka.
Senior midfielder Julien Le Bourdoulous set the team record for most single-season assists with 12.
The team as a whole finished tied for third in scoring offense, second in points per game, and sixth in goal differential.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how the program, how the guys on that team captivated a whole university, a whole community,” said Pore. “It was just a special season to be a part of.”
Coming off of a season where Kansas City only won four games, 2024 put Roos soccer on the map.
