The Colby men’s soccer team has been making the most of their spring sessions over the past few weeks, and by all accounts, the Mules are looking sharper, hungrier, and more united than ever.
With practice running as frequently as four times a week, and an additional four days in the weight room under the guidance of strength and conditioning coach Thomas Manning, there is a palpable sense that something new is being built within this squad. Coaches and staff have expressed genuine enthusiasm about the progress the group has made, pointing not just to the physical improvements, but to the cultural shift taking shape within the program.
On the training pitch, the focus has been clear: sharpening attacking play in and around goal, refining individual one-versus-one situations, and fostering the kind of positive, competitive environment that winning teams thrive on. The energy, by all accounts, has been infectious.
This spring has also been a proving ground for the younger members of the roster. With the junior class away on study abroad programs and the senior class having moved on, it has fallen to the sophomores and freshmen to step up and show their commitment. By the sounds of it, they have done exactly that.
That competitive spirit was put to the test last weekend when the Mules faced Bates College in a scrimmage. Though the Bobcats came out on top, the result was far from discouraging. The team left the pitch feeling confident in the quality of their performance and viewing the game as an important step in the right direction heading into the fall season.
Leo Robison `29 captured the mood in the camp well: “The boys have looked really good the past few weeks. It’s difficult only getting 10 sessions with the coach, but the competitiveness is there and everyone wants to be part of the team’s winning culture moving forward.”
That desire to build something meaningful comes with clear motivation from last fall. The Mules narrowly missed out on playoff action in the 2025 season, and there is a firm belief within the group that the 2026–27 campaign will be different. A postseason run, and potentially a shot at the NCAA Tournament, is firmly in their sights.
Standing between them and some unfinished business is Bowdoin College, whom the Mules are set to face in the coming weeks. The Polar Bears beat out Colby 2–1 last fall in a hard-fought contest, but the team believes the new mentality and renewed energy within the squad will tell a different story this time around.
This summer the team will be working hard to stay on top of the work they put in these past few weeks, and looking to maintain that progression into the fall when the rising seniors return.
As the spring season draws to a close, there is plenty of reason for optimism in Waterville. The Mules are working hard, growing together, and building toward something special. We wish them the best of luck, and we cannot wait to see them back on the field this fall.
~ Kameron Mohammed `29
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