Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Eagles rev up for powerful effort in soccer wars

Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s sports program has created a tumultuous buzz the past several years on a national level in men’s basketball, baseball, women’s soccer and even croquet.

But, in no sport have the Eagles been as consistently powerful and nationally spotlighted than men’s soccer.

Two seasons ago, the Eagles played in the NAIA national championship game.

Last season, they swept the NAIA regional but suffered a one-run loss in the national quarterfinals.

Finishing with a 21-3 record.

That’s why the Eagles landed the No. 5 spot in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 final national poll after last season.OKWU has advanced to the NAIA national playoffs throughout the past decade — and this year’s squad seems well-tooled to continue that tradition.

And, what a tradition!

Since Peterson took charge in 2010 of the team, the Eagles have won 81 percent of their matches (220-38-14) and recorded an overall winning percentage of 83.5 percent when factoring in ties.

Their showing in regular season conference matches since 2010 is even more startling — winning 93.3 percent of their matches (98-6-1), with an overall winning percentage of 94.7.

And, the bottom line success in the NAIA playoffs is impressive — eight trips to the Sweet 16, or higher, in 10 seasons.

Peterson’s Eagles have qualified 10-straight campaigns for the NAIA postseason and forged a cumulative NAIA postseason record of 17-7-3. In the 2020 season — which actually extended into 2021 — OKWU advanced to the national championship game, losing in a two-goal thriller.

PETERSON ERA IN OKWU SOCCERSeason: O-all (Conf.)2010: 12-5-3 (1-3-0)2011: 14-5-2 (4-0-1)2012: 19-1-1 (6-0-0)2013: 19-4-0 (5-0-0)2014: 14-5-2 (4-1-0)2015: 20-1-1 (10-0-0)2016: 19-1-2 (11-0-0)2017: 22-1-2 (11-0-0)2018: 20-4-0 (11-1-0)2019: 19-5-0 (11-1-0)2020: 21-3-1 (11-0-0)2021: 21-3-0 (13-0-0)Totals: 220-38-14 (98-6-1)

The Eagles swooped into the Final Four in 2017, and have stormed into the Elite Eight four times (2013, 2019, 2019 and 2021).

While the big prize of a national title has eluded the Eagles, their status as one of the nation’s elite of the elite powers is unquestioned.

Prior to Peterson’s arrival as head coach, the history of Eagles’ soccer looked like a modified sine wave — a few sharp peaks followed by deep spikes or flat lines.

Two of Peterson’s strengths has been to identify freshman talent capable of contributing early in their careers — providing a strong string of stability for quality play — and attracting high level junior/senior transfer skill players.

But, there are perhaps a higher-than-usual number of question marks heading into the 2022 season.

Gone are multi-year All-Americans Stefan Lukic, Julio Belo and others, including two-year major contributor Luka Lukic.

But, Peterson also enjoys some shining news with the return of Stefan Cvetanovic from the injury list.

Cvetanovic is one of those talents that rolls around about as often as Haley’s Comet.

In 2020, he led the nation in goal scoring — despite missing half the year with a leg injury. Cvetanovic scored 33 goals in just 12 matches — including 11 goals in one match. He was sidelined the final 12 games.

Cvetanovic also sat out all of the 2021 campaign while recuperating.

His presence should great boost the offensive firepower.

Other top-tier returnees are defender Alfeu Bertini and center-mid Matheus Ferreira.

Bertini started 21 matches last season and contributed four goals and five shots on goal offensively; Ferreira tallied five goals — including three game-winners — and nine shots on goal.

“We like our core,” Peterson said.

Battled-hone veteran Victor Crispim “will fill into a bigger leadership role,” Peterson said.

Crispim ranked among the top five offensive producers last season — five goals, six assists, one game-winning goal and 20 shots on goal.

In terms of fresh talent, Peterson has brought in some Serbian players to help strengthen the middle.

Overall, Peterson expects a more assertive attack style by his team.

“I think this ball will move the ball a little quicker,” he said. “I expect us being heavier in our possessions. I think the ball movement will be heavier and based on tighter spaces. I think our defense will produce better numbers … I think it will become more of a team-oriented group,”

As the new mix blends, “We think it will be a good group,” Peterson said.

The Eagles eye mid-August for the start of practice, “and then we’ll see where we’re at,” Peterson said.

Season No. 13 could turn out to be charm for the Peterson era as OKWU returns to hits hunt for the major prize.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: OKWU Eagles soccer heads into 13th season of Peterson Era