Several fall sports teams at Adrian College experienced a significant turnaround this year compared to last season, including football and men’s and women’s soccer.  

Despite finishing the season with a two-game losing streak, the football team ended with a 6-4 record, including a 5-1 mark at home. Their only home loss came against Alma College, which was contending for a playoff spot. The team’s improvement from a 1-9 finish last year emphasizes the impact of new head coach Joe Palka, who transformed the program in just one year.  

The men’s soccer team also showed noteworthy improvement, finishing the season 11-4-2, a major leap from last year’s 1-13-2 record. The team performed exceptionally well at home with a 7-1 record. While they lost in the first round of the MIAA tournament, the turnaround from 2023 was phenomenal.  

The women’s soccer team had a solid season, building on last year’s 8-6-3 record. They finished 12-5-1 this year, with an 8-1 home record and a trip to the MIAA tournament semifinals. The team dominated Alma College 4-0 in the first round before falling to top-ranked Calvin in the semifinals.  

A shared strength among all three teams was their home-field advantage at Docking Stadium. Combined, they allowed only three home losses, with each team losing their final home game of the season.  

These turnarounds highlight the dedication of the players, strong coaching, and the teams’ ability to protect their home turf, setting a high standard for future seasons at Adrian College.