The ball barely touched the back of the net before Logan Hall was swarmed by his teammates. In the blazing Arizona heat, nearly 2,000 miles from home, the Jacksonville University men's soccer season had its first goal; and it came from a freshman.
The score was hardly a surprise to those who know Hall's pedigree. A few months prior, he was named Florida's Gatorade Player of the Year. Two months before that, he was crowned the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald Player of the Year. Hall powered the Pembroke Pines Jaguars to an 18-1-2 record and a berth in the Class 5A state semifinals, piling up 20 goals and 14 assists, including six multi-goal games and a postseason run where he delivered four goals and four assists.
Hall arrived at Jacksonville as one of Florida's most decorated recruits, but he's not the only freshman making an impact. He's part of a group that Head Coach Ali Simmons calls, "refreshing and energetic, yet remarkably mature."
This year's freshman class includes eight exciting newcomers, spanning from Canada to Norway, and their diverse backgrounds have collided to leave an impact early on. Of the 13 goals scored as of Oct. 3, six of them have come from a freshman.
"They've brought real youth to the group. Last year we had just one freshman," Simmons said "To have eight young guys is refreshing as a head coach. They bring a lot of energy, and they've actually adapted themselves really well."
That adaptation shows up everywhere. While the coaching staff and veteran mentors on the team have played a part, this group of freshmen has brought a professional approach to their college careers.
"The majority have come from professional-esque backgrounds," Simmons said. "They take care of their locker, they're on time, they help with equipment. They look you in the eye when they talk to you. They take coaching points well."
In terms of standards, no one is more conditioned than Matias Tobon. Tobon moved to Colombia from the US at just 14, playing for the U-20 team at South American powerhouse Atlético Nacional. Tobon has seen the pitch early and often this season. Most notably, he provided an efficient 56 minutes in a 2-0 home win vs UTRGV, where he finished with an assist and a goal after a breakaway pass.
"We had high expectations for Matias," Simmons said. "You can see that background in how he trains. He's very dedicated, a singular focus."
Tobon's goal against the Vaqueros was set up by fellow freshman standout Dante Wright, another key addition to Jacksonville's 2025 recruiting class. Wright came through the Toronto FC Academy, one of North America's premier development programs, and represented its U-18 team at the prestigious Generation Adidas Cup, a tournament recognized globally for elite academy competition. He was introduced to JU by assistant coach Josh Moreira, a fellow Canadian and Toronto FC Academy graduate himself.
"Coach Moreira did a fantastic job recruiting Dante," Simmons said. "Josh is very popular when he goes back there. He spoke with their staff, met Dante and really recruited him."
Wright isn't the only Canuck connection for this freshman class, as Kailas Cooper also hails from the Toronto area. Cooper's thrived as a freshman, leading all of JU's first-year players with two goals. Wright and Cooper bring unique skill sets to Jacksonville's front line, with speed and strength to attack defenses with and without the ball.
Christian Wahlstrøm has also started to carve a role in JU's attack. The Kristiansand, Norway native put up one goal and three assists in the Dolphins' 9–1 victory over Trinity College of Jacksonville. He brings a presence that Simmons believes is valuable in the long run.
"Christian's a very confident young man, always with a big smile on his face," Simmons said.
Outside of the offense, the Dolphins have a handful of other young contributors adding to the fold. Midfielder Leonardo Davi C Santos has already found ways to contribute despite competing with older players, playing all 90 minutes against North Florida in a hotly contested rivalry clash. Defender Fredrik Sandberget has battled injury since arriving on campus, but he hasn't let that stop him from having an impact. Simmons has praised his patience and willingness to help out however he can, whether it be in the video room or helping in practice.
Goalie Alex Grace is the lone rookie in the keeper room, earning his spot alongside veterans Christian Sekanina, Simen Havig and Brayden Fox.
The most encouraging sign for Jacksonville's future is not just the talent shown by it's group of freshmen, it's how this group blends youthful energy with everyday professionalism. That blend is partly due to the coaching staff's ability to be flexible in an ever-changing college landscape.
"We adapted like everyone," Simmons said. "Now the big power conference schools are targeting the best grads and transfers, which flips things. Programs like us now have access to really good freshmen."
The shift creates an opportunity to build a culture and foundation that Simmons and his staff are proud of. This spring will mark a milestone for Simmons as he graduates his first class at JU. As he navigates through his third season on the field, the success of his players off the field is as worthy of celebration.
"Next year will be the first time in my college coaching career I'll see a class through from freshmen to graduation," Simmons said. "Selfishly, that's special: watching them grow up, get their degree, and become JU alumni."
At the same time one class graduates, the eight freshmen on the roster give the staff a chance to look ahead to the culture being built. The energy from Jacksonville's freshman class has already found its way onto the score sheet and into the locker room, but the most important thing is the foundation that's been laid. The cohesion of the eight new faces is a strong pivot point for Coach Simmons and his staff to build on for years to come.
For now, their contributions have helped spark a promising season. In the bigger picture, it offers proof that the future of the program is already taking shape.
