Xavier University Athletics
FEATURE STORY: Leading from the Back
08.18.25 | Men's Soccer
Excellence is nothing short of the belief for the Xavier Men's Soccer defense. In two of the last three MLS drafts, the Musketeers produced two defender draftees, Makel Rasheed and Matthew Senanou. Leading from the back is a staple for Xavier, with three sophomore defenders, Nolan Brice, Aron Gudbjornsson, and Cannon Scretchen, looking to cement their place in the upcoming fall season.
"We [the back four] know what the standard is, and if we can reach that standard, we know what it leads to…," Scretchen said. "If you do your job and you really hone down on the things that Coach Higgins wants and protect the back line and the goal, [good] things will happen."
Scretchen, who grew up in Nashville, TN, and started his Xavier career in multiple roles, initially played as a striker before transitioning to left back. Screthen said he enjoys the pressure of playing in the back within Xavier's structure.
"I like how in our system, I'm still able to get forward," Screthen said. "I'm still responsible for holding down that side. I get on the ball a lot more than I would if I were still playing forward…I have to be very solid in my role and [avoid] making many mistakes. And that pressure helped me play better. I like the players that are around me, especially on my left side, and I'm excited to see this work."
A product of the FC Cincinnati Academy and FCC 2, Brice said he faced challenges during his freshman year as he adjusted to the demands of Xavier soccer, and he learned that success in this program requires the support of those around you, something he is focused on this season.
"When I first came in, I didn't play much…, it's very easy to stop trying, or to put your head down, or to complain [about] all these things that you want to do when things don't go your way," Brice said. "Or you can be a good teammate, really learn off of whoever's in front of you, how they're playing, and always, every day, going to training, trying to beat that person out… For the young guys who are new, know your place, build your role, fit that role for the season, and then build off of it for the next [season]."
Growing up in Iceland, Aron Gudbjornsson pursued his desire to play overseas, following in the footsteps of his brother, Axel Gudbjornsson, who plays for Duke University. In his first season at Xavier, Aron Gudbjornsson had to break out of his shell, especially when it came to stepping out of his comfort zone and becoming more vocal.
"Coming from another country, doing all those little things is going to be hard at first, like being vocal and pushing each other through practice and through games," Aron Gudbjornsson said.
"You have to use your voice all the time, and that's something that we do more here in the US than back home in Iceland…this upcoming season, I will be leading at the back line, using my voice, explaining to the new guys how things work."
Reflecting on his first season, Aron Gudbjornsson emphasizes the importance of staying true to yourself and lifting each other on and off the pitch. He was immediately impressed with the tactics in his first season and said that the team dynamic helped with his adjustment.
"Coach Higgins is a master of this kind of thing…," Aron Gudbjornsson said. "On the training ground, I've learned multiple things that I've not been taught in Iceland, [such as] how to defend. His way about things is very special."
Heading into this season, the majority of the backline consists of underclassmen, leaving more opportunities to grow. Brice said he is excited and confident in what this group has to offer.
"We have so much to learn…, but we all know how to play better together since we're two years better," Brice said. "But also individually, everybody has a new role; it's a whole new back line. Everybody's had a year. They've had their freshman year where you're nervous and you don't really know what you're doing; that's out of the way. And you're now a key player for Xavier, and the back line is our main thing we pride ourselves in."
Aron Gudbjornsson said he is ready to fight for this team no matter what obstacles they face. After a successful spring season going undefeated in five games, Aron Gudbjornsson is confident that the entire group, not just the backline, will be successful.
"We were amazing in the spring," Aron Gudbjornsson said. "I felt like the group was positive, and we got along well together. We were open to talking about things that weren't going well. And as a whole, everyone was trying to help each other, and with the new guys coming in, I only think that we're gonna make the team stronger."
Xavier opens up regular season play at home against St. Francis University on August 21 at 6:30 p.m. Screthen said the Musketeers have added a lot of depth across the pitch and are prepared to give it their all this season.
"We're ready; that's the message I want to send," Screthen said. "We're ready to make a change. We're ready to take those steps forward. We're ready to win games. We're ready to do whatever you expect us to do. We're ready to do it like there's nothing out of the ordinary for us to do this season. I think everything is possible with this team, group of players, and we're ready to take on that challenge."
"We [the back four] know what the standard is, and if we can reach that standard, we know what it leads to…," Scretchen said. "If you do your job and you really hone down on the things that Coach Higgins wants and protect the back line and the goal, [good] things will happen."
Scretchen, who grew up in Nashville, TN, and started his Xavier career in multiple roles, initially played as a striker before transitioning to left back. Screthen said he enjoys the pressure of playing in the back within Xavier's structure.
"I like how in our system, I'm still able to get forward," Screthen said. "I'm still responsible for holding down that side. I get on the ball a lot more than I would if I were still playing forward…I have to be very solid in my role and [avoid] making many mistakes. And that pressure helped me play better. I like the players that are around me, especially on my left side, and I'm excited to see this work."
A product of the FC Cincinnati Academy and FCC 2, Brice said he faced challenges during his freshman year as he adjusted to the demands of Xavier soccer, and he learned that success in this program requires the support of those around you, something he is focused on this season.
"When I first came in, I didn't play much…, it's very easy to stop trying, or to put your head down, or to complain [about] all these things that you want to do when things don't go your way," Brice said. "Or you can be a good teammate, really learn off of whoever's in front of you, how they're playing, and always, every day, going to training, trying to beat that person out… For the young guys who are new, know your place, build your role, fit that role for the season, and then build off of it for the next [season]."
Growing up in Iceland, Aron Gudbjornsson pursued his desire to play overseas, following in the footsteps of his brother, Axel Gudbjornsson, who plays for Duke University. In his first season at Xavier, Aron Gudbjornsson had to break out of his shell, especially when it came to stepping out of his comfort zone and becoming more vocal.
"Coming from another country, doing all those little things is going to be hard at first, like being vocal and pushing each other through practice and through games," Aron Gudbjornsson said.
"You have to use your voice all the time, and that's something that we do more here in the US than back home in Iceland…this upcoming season, I will be leading at the back line, using my voice, explaining to the new guys how things work."
Reflecting on his first season, Aron Gudbjornsson emphasizes the importance of staying true to yourself and lifting each other on and off the pitch. He was immediately impressed with the tactics in his first season and said that the team dynamic helped with his adjustment.
"Coach Higgins is a master of this kind of thing…," Aron Gudbjornsson said. "On the training ground, I've learned multiple things that I've not been taught in Iceland, [such as] how to defend. His way about things is very special."
Heading into this season, the majority of the backline consists of underclassmen, leaving more opportunities to grow. Brice said he is excited and confident in what this group has to offer.
"We have so much to learn…, but we all know how to play better together since we're two years better," Brice said. "But also individually, everybody has a new role; it's a whole new back line. Everybody's had a year. They've had their freshman year where you're nervous and you don't really know what you're doing; that's out of the way. And you're now a key player for Xavier, and the back line is our main thing we pride ourselves in."
Aron Gudbjornsson said he is ready to fight for this team no matter what obstacles they face. After a successful spring season going undefeated in five games, Aron Gudbjornsson is confident that the entire group, not just the backline, will be successful.
"We were amazing in the spring," Aron Gudbjornsson said. "I felt like the group was positive, and we got along well together. We were open to talking about things that weren't going well. And as a whole, everyone was trying to help each other, and with the new guys coming in, I only think that we're gonna make the team stronger."
Xavier opens up regular season play at home against St. Francis University on August 21 at 6:30 p.m. Screthen said the Musketeers have added a lot of depth across the pitch and are prepared to give it their all this season.
"We're ready; that's the message I want to send," Screthen said. "We're ready to make a change. We're ready to take those steps forward. We're ready to win games. We're ready to do whatever you expect us to do. We're ready to do it like there's nothing out of the ordinary for us to do this season. I think everything is possible with this team, group of players, and we're ready to take on that challenge."
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