LONGVIEW, Texas -- On October 30, 2026, LeTourneau honored nine men's soccer seniors before a Friday evening match against Austin College. While success has defined much of their time on the field, it is an unbreakable brotherhood found through adversity and change that defines this senior class.
This year's senior class consisted of nine players, including seven four-year contributors in Marcos Gonzalez, Elliott Spangler, Kamden Karleskint, Kristian Princ, Caleb Nelson, Abraham Gonzalez, and Edson Camara Martinez, along with three-year graduate Zach Parris and transfer Aidan Arcega. During their four years in Longview, the group helped elevate the YellowJackets as a soccer program while navigating challenges that could have fractured a less connected group. Instead, those moments only reinforced the culture of brotherhood, faith, and servant leadership that has become an integral part of LeTourneau men's soccer.
UNITED THROUGH CHANGE
One of the defining moments for this senior class came following the unexpected coaching transition before the 2025 season. While coaching changes often create uncertainty, these seniors believe the relationships they had already built kept the program moving forward.
"I think the majority of the team stayed through the coaching change because of the bonds we had made with each other," Nelson reflected. "No matter who was coaching us, we were always going to be able to play for the ones around us and make things that seemed unreachable happen."
That commitment to one another made the transition easier to navigate. Marcos Gonzalez recalled, "I believe that first and foremost we as players are a family so even through coaching changes it didn't affect that bond. So, it was really never of question of who's leaving or staying. We were just ready for our new coach and the new season ahead of us."
"The coaching change was difficult for everyone," Spangler said. "But we did a great job as a group of continuing our culture of brotherhood throughout the team. We truly love each other like brothers and love spending time with each other off the field as well as on."
Rather than allowing the uncertainty to divide them, the seniors leaned on one another and helped maintain the culture that had already been built up within the program.
"We had each other to lean on and figure it out together," Spangler added.
In many ways, the coaching change highlighted the strength of the culture and community that had already been built within the program.
A FAITH THAT SHAPES EVERYTHING
A big part of that bond is how faith and love are emphasized on the team. Faith is more than a pregame tradition. For this senior class, it has been woven into every part of the program.
"Faith within the team isn't something that comes and goes," Nelson said. "It is always present, and a focus no matter what good or bad has happened to us."
One of Nelson's favorite examples is the team's pregame prayer gatherings, where players break into smaller groups and intentionally pray for one another before taking the field. He added, "Not only does everyone have someone praying for them, but we get to focus on a situation that can bring out the worst in us back onto the Lord."
The program's commitment to spiritual growth is acted out through initiatives like growth groups, where players meet regularly for Bible studies, accountability, and fellowship.
"Faith is not just something we do on the LETU men's soccer team," Spangler explained. "Faith is what shapes who we are and why we do what we do."
Spangler described post-practice prayers, pregame devotionals, and growth groups as opportunities for players to grow together beyond soccer.
"Coach Milby has had a theme this year of using our sport as worship. He has explained to us multiple times that God has blessed us with our abilities in this sport, and by working hard to use that blessing, and giving God the glory, we are entering an act of worship," Spangler noted.
For many of the seniors, some of their most meaningful memories did not happen during matches, but during late-night conversations, Bible studies, and moments of vulnerability with teammates.
Spangler added, "These groups have brought a new level to our brotherhood and allowed us to grow closer to God together."
PAYING IT FORWARD
While the seniors played a major role in the team's recent accomplishments, they are equally proud of the impact they've had on those who will follow them.
"As much as we want to have success while we are still a part of this program, we want to pour into the younger ones and leave the team in a better place than when we joined," Nelson said.
Clearly, that investment has been paying off this year as the YellowJackets' top-three goal scorers this season are all underclassmen, with sophomores Leandro Ferreira and Bridge Mwambukiri joined by freshman Colton Chalker.
That investment often happened outside of game days and training sessions. Whether staying after practice to work with younger players or walking alongside teammates through personal challenges, the seniors embraced the responsibility of mentorship.
"Using every interaction to build the trust, that was a crucial foundation for the success we've had recently," he explained.
Spangler believes the upperclassmen have served as the program's anchor through years of growth.
"I believe that our upperclassmen have been a really strong glue that has held the culture in a great spot for the last few years," he said. "Different seasons bring different talent and abilities through our program, but what has been consistent is the culture and brotherhood that keeps everyone humble and fighting for each other, not themselves."
Their perspective has also provided valuable context for younger players who have experienced success throughout much of their college careers.
"We tried to remind them how much the program has grown in the past couple of years," Camara Martinez said. "It's important to bring our perspective of guys who were on a team that didn't make the conference tournament."
By sharing those experiences, the seniors helped younger players understand that success is built through years of commitment, sacrifice, and trust while still emphasizing that there are more important things than soccer.
CHANGED FOR LIFE
As their collegiate careers come to a close, these seniors can point to ways the program has shaped them beyond the game itself.
"This program has helped me grow physically, mentally, and spiritually throughout my four years, but the most impactful has been how I build my relationships with those around me," Nelson said. "We can build the relationships that are supportive of you in ways that help you do something great with your life that you could never do alone."
"Being a part of the men's soccer team has given me a second family that I know will surpass my time at LeTourneau. In many ways, I have grown as a man and in my faith," Princ said. "It goes without saying this group has been through a lot, and we always come stronger -- that is, in my opinion, what defines us. Any season of life can come our way, rain or shine, and we will rise to the occasion with resilience and excellence."
This type of personal transformation is what has made the brotherhood and bond on this team so strong.
"Being on the men's soccer team has been foundational in my life," Spangler said. "I came into college seeking a group where I could find brothers in Christ who wanted to have successful athletic and academic careers."
For all of the seniors, all from different places and backgrounds, the men's soccer program has transformed them as players but also as men.
"I could never ask for a better group of guys to spend my four years with. I have had the perfect community of brothers to lean on and do life with," Spangler noted. "Being on this team has shaped who I am today in almost every aspect."
UP NEXT
The YellowJackets are headed to the SCAC Tournament with a quarterfinal round matchup against Dallas on Thursday at 8 p.m. in Round Rock, Texas.
FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS
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