HELENA — After finishing last season with a 14-4-3 record and a postseason appearance, the Carroll College men’s soccer team enters the fall believing it has the pieces to take another step forward.
The Fighting Saints return much of last year’s production, led by senior midfielder Sam Loughton and forward Felix Billard. Billard paced Carroll offensively in 2025, finishing with 10 goals, five assists and a team-high 25 points. The forward also totaled 41 shots and 23 shots on goal while helping lead the Saints’ postseason run.
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Loughton also played a major role in the attack from the midfield, recording six goals and two assists for 14 points last season. He finished with 36 shots and 20 shots on goal while starting all 20 matches for Carroll.
Loughton said one of the biggest differences with this year’s group is the depth across the roster.
“We've got a lot more depth, 1 to 40,” Loughton said. “I feel like we're strong in every position.”
Players said the chemistry within the program has only continued to grow entering the new season.
“This year, we've really got everyone together and enriched that mentality of die or win,” Loughton said.
Billard said the team’s focus this season is centered around continuing to improve after last year’s success.
“We really have a group that wants to win,” Billard said. “We have a group of determined guys, and ultimately we have to do better than last season every time."
The Saints also believe playing at Nelson Stadium gives the team another level of energy.
“Especially here in Nelson Stadium, it's a really special feeling with everyone that comes out,” Billard said.
While Carroll hopes to make another postseason push this fall, players said the connections built inside the locker room remain just as important as the results on the field.
“Success is not only about where we end up this season, but it's always more about the journey,” Billard said.
Carroll, which was picked second in the Cascade Collegiate Conference preseason poll, has scrimmages this week before opening its regular season Aug. 20 versus Dordt (Iowa).
