The Tars kick off the 2018 campaign by hosting a pair of difficult opponents. The Wingate Bulldogs make the trip south, two years removed from a National Championship, and ranked No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. The Tars will look to a large senior class as they try to capitalize on their home field advantage. Head coach Keith Buckley begins his 28th season in charge of the Rollins program with eleven senior leaders.
Among the Tars senior class is a pair of 2017 All-Sunshine State Conference selections. Ben Grant captained the 2017 side, and the Tars will again look to his leadership in 2018, while Stefan Avram caught fire down the stretch last year, finishing second in the SSC in goals and game winning goals. Andre Nansen has been a consistent starter for the Tars since stepping on campus in 2015. Now a senior, the Kolsas, Norway native will be counted on to be a factor on both sides of the ball. Johnny Nartowicz, also a senior, is a key to the Tars’ success, playing out of the midfield, the captain tallied three goals in 2017, while also dishing out three assists.
The 2016 National Champions, and four time defending South Atlantic Conference Champions, have been tabbed as the favorites once again. The Bulldogs picked up nine of the possible 10 first place votes. Wingate returns a multitude of key talent, including three members of the SAC Preseason All-Conference First Team. Pablo Jara is possibly the most decorated goal keeper in the country, entering his senior year, the Brazil native has been named All-SAC, All-Region, SAC Freshman of the Year, SAC Tournament MVP, and is a three-time All-American. Elliot Cutts paced the Bulldogs in points last season, scoring 12 goals, and setting up three more. Mattia Ditommaso’s four goals and three assists earned him the 2017 SAC Freshman of the Year Award.