Ohio State men’s soccer’s emergence as the top-ranked team in the country seemingly came out of nowhere. But the Buckeyes themselves always believed they could have a special team this season.
The Buckeyes weren’t even ranked in the United Soccer Coaches’ preseason poll for Division I men’s soccer, and understandably so. Entering this season, Ohio State had only one winning season in six years under head coach Brian Maisonneuve and went just 6-6-6 in 2023.
Inside the program, however, Ohio State’s players were confident they had what it would take to become a championship contender this season.