It was quite an exciting 2024-25 season for the men’s club soccer team, from going undefeated on the year to reaching the Collegiate Club Soccer Finals Tournament for a second consecutive season. Loyola’s center back Edward Baddour ’25 shared his thoughts on what he thought had been an exciting year for the team.
“This is our third season in a row going undefeated and just getting through all that adversity. We’re a small school and we’re competing against big competition. Now we’re nationally ranked third in the country,” Baddour said.
In his last year at Loyola, Baddour has had a remarkable season. He already had his sights set to play on the biggest stages from the age of just three years old. Baddour’s drive and passion for the game has made him an integral part of this Greyhounds team. Last year, he earned a spot on the All CCS Men’s First Team, a testament to his impactful play on the pitch.
“I’ve been playing now for over 20 years, so that’s all I know really. It’s what I love doing and it’s a hobby that I hope to do for as long as I can,” Baddour said.
Loyola Men’s Club Soccer has earned some notable achievements, having three undefeated seasons in a row and qualifying for the CCS Finals in Richmond, Virginia in back-to-back years after winning the CCS Maryland division. These accomplishments not only build the team’s resume, but more importantly elevate the team’s morale. Baddour praised how well the team has done in cultivating new and upcoming first-years’ talent with the help of that energy.
“We’ve got a lot of upcoming freshmen that are really stepping up to the plate and doing really good with joining the team and bringing some value to us. So, everybody is just really excited, looking forward to the opportunity to showcase themselves,” Baddour said.
The regular season was not only a time of success but also a time for Baddour to reflect on his football career and time at Loyola. He has made a massive impact throughout his tenure on Loyola’s club up until his last year now. Baddour talked about some of the benefits of playing on the team and what it has done for him.
“The team atmosphere is really good. Being on this team is like having 20 plus more friends on campus. Just having that friendship, somebody that you can always rely on and somebody who’s always got your back,” Baddour said.
Baddour also shares where he sees the team going in the future, along with some personal goals he has set for himself.
“I just see us improving every year. Every year we’re recruiting more talented, better-skilled freshmen. The team’s only getting better every year, so I expect to see the same result. My goal every year was to make Nationals and three out of the four years we’ve done that, so I’m very pleased with that,” Baddour said.
Unfortunately, that journey came to an end as the team was knocked out of the CCS Finals this past weekend after playing their three group stage games against Georgia, Villanova, and Miami. However, it does not seem to be the end of the road for the Greyhounds, and most certainly not the end for Baddour. With a history of success under their belt, Loyola men’s club soccer looks to compete against great competition for years to come.
For more information on the men’s club soccer team, you can check out their Instagram to keep up with all their upcoming games and updates as their 2025-26 season begins in the fall.
