Nov. 1 marks this year’s Senior Day for the Case Western Reserve University men’s soccer team. On this day, the team will be celebrating its six graduating fourth-years: co-captains Bradley Winter and Stephen Vilardo; midfielder Camden Larson; defenders Phillip Washington and Ben Collier and forward McLaren Baggett.
These fourth-years were recruited by Head Coach Carter Poe and have exemplified what it means to play as a team. Through their various highs and lows over the past four years, they have persevered while continuing to look out for and support each other.
Bradley Winter
For fourth-year goalkeeper and co-captain Bradley Winter, soccer has been a defining part of his life. Having played the sport since he was three years old, he has played in 46 games for the Spartans, logging more than 4,000 minutes on the field and setting an all-time program record for shutouts with 22 to his name.
Winter’s journey to CWRU was not the most straightforward. Originally recruited by Division I programs such as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Boston College, various circumstances—including the COVID-19 pandemic—changed his plans.
“Coach Poe actually reached out in January of my senior year,” Winter recalled. “[I] told my mom I wasn’t going to reply to any more Division III schools I’d never heard of—but when she saw it was CWRU, she told me that I better reply right away.”
That decision proved transformative. “[After] having connected with Coach Poe, I ended up committing to Case because I wanted to play for him and I knew I’d get a top degree from a highly touted school.”
Off the field, Winter has taken on leadership roles that mirror his on-field presence. As co-president of Consult Your Community, he leads student consulting teams providing pro bono services to local minority- and women-owned businesses. He also serves as the treasurer of the Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) club, managing finances for the vertical flight student design team.
Still, Winter’s proudest role has been on the pitch wearing the Spartan jersey. The position of co-captain is one that he does not take lightly.
“It’s a privilege to be recognized as a captain … [it] can be burdensome at times but I believe that is what comes with the role,” Winter said. “I’ve been fortunate to have excellent mentors and to be surrounded by far better leaders than I am which has helped me feel supported at all times. The greatest part about being the team captain is getting to see the guys on the team flourish in their athletic pursuits but also their pursuits off the field. To know that I may have had a small part in helping them means the world to me.”
Winter’s collegiate career has been nothing short of exceptional. Earlier this year, Winter broke the men’s soccer shutout record when he recorded his 17th career shutout on Sept. 14. Beyond this program record, Winter’s list of accolades and accomplishments also includes receiving a UAA All-Academic honorable mention during his sophomore year, being named to the All-UAA Second Team and CSC Academic All-District in his junior year and being inducted into both of the CWRU Van Horn and Wolstein Societies.
As his final season winds down, Winter admits that his emotions are complicated.
“When you give everything to something for so many years and to know it’s coming to an end is a weird and somewhat scary feeling,” he said. “At the same time, I’m excited for the future and I want to be able to look back and say that I gave it everything I had. If that’s the case, then I can walk away with my head high.”
Winter will be graduating in the spring with degrees in finance and business management. While he is still weighing his post-grad options, he hopes to be closer to home in Georgia. Before then, he hopes to give the sport everything he can and end his collegiate career on a high note.
“My goal this year is to leave the program in a better place than when I arrived,” Winter stated. “That is my ultimate goal for the season and that’s what I’m hoping will be the result when I finish. If I did that, then my final season as a collegiate athlete is a success. Time will tell with that.”
Stephen Vilardo
Fourth-year forward and co-captain Stephen Vilardo has played soccer for nearly his entire life, first picking up the sport when he was three years old. Over his collegiate career he has played 25 games for the Spartans, amounting to over 700 minutes of play time. While this may not be as much time on the field as some of his peers have amassed, each of those minutes has reflected his persistence, work ethic and unwavering commitment to the program.
Vilardo’s recruiting process was a very tumultuous one, but ultimately he made the choice to commit to CWRU because he wanted to play for Coach Poe and the school’s reputation for a strong pre-med program. That combination of competitive athletics and academic rigor made CWRU the ideal place for him to grow both as a player and as a student.
As a nutrition major on the pre-med track—a path known for being time consuming and extremely rigorous—Vilardo has found the best way to juggle all his commitments is to be smart with the time that he has.
“There’s a lot going on at all times and just taking it step by step, one task at a time, has allowed me to be successful,” he said.
His ability to juggle training, travel and academics speaks to the discipline that defines him as both an athlete and a student.
Beyond the pitch, Vilardo is involved with the CWRU chapter of Camp Kesem, a national nonprofit organization supporting children affected by a parent’s cancer through free summer camps run by college students. Upon his graduation in the spring, he plans to attend medical school on his way to becoming a physician.
“I love to talk with people and show that I am someone who wants to help them get through tough times,” he said in regards to why he chose his major and pathway. “I’ve also grown a huge appreciation for the intricacies and subtle perfections that make the human body function.”
As a reflection of his traits, Vilardo was chosen by his teammates to serve as a team captain for the season. Vilardo himself describes it as “a huge honor given to me by my teammates.”
“While it has come with its challenges, it has helped me grow immensely as a leader and form what kind of person I want to be,” he said.
As Vilardo enters the final weeks of his collegiate career, he notes how surreal it is to be so close to the end while giving the sport his all before he plays his final collegiate match.
“I want to leave the sport knowing I gave my best effort every second I was with the team. I hope the bonds I have formed on the field persist off of it,” he said.
Camden Larson
Fourth-year midfielder Camden Larson has made his mark as a Spartan. This past year he was named to the CSC Academic All-District team. Having played in 64 games for the Spartans, totaling over 4,400 minutes on the field and starting games for CWRU all four years, he has certainly been a crucial member of the team for his entire tenure.
Like many of his teammates, Larson’s recruiting process was not the smoothest. Initially targeting high-academic programs across the Northeast and Midwest, Larson sought a school that would challenge him both intellectually and athletically. After attending an ID camp at CWRU—where an untimely illness hindered his performance—Larson might have thought the opportunity had passed. But his persistence paid off, as eventually he got an offer from Coach Poe to join the team.
“After listening to his vision for the program and seeing that Case was a good fit academically as well as a place where I could potentially have an early impact on the field, I decided to commit,” Larson said.
Larson’s consistency, leadership and work ethic have anchored a defense known for its discipline and resilience. But perhaps what stands out most is his ability to manage the dual challenges of pursuing a computer engineering degree and taking part in varsity soccer—a balance that demands precision and perseverance.
“It is definitely possible, but has taken some sacrifices of social life and free time at points,” Larson admitted. “One thing that has helped me is planning ahead, especially while we are in season, to know when all of my exams and projects are coming up so I can start them early. It has also been beneficial to have close friends in my classes that are athletes as well and understand how to get things done in a time crunch.”
This drive extends beyond the field, where Larson has been involved in CWRU’s VTOL club. In this capacity he has served on the electronics team, writing software for drones as well as performing data analysis and mission modeling for the club.
Larson’s decision to pursue a computer engineering degree stems from a natural ability for math and problem solving and personal fascination with technology. After graduation he hopes to take up a job somewhere close to home in Maryland. Before then, as his senior season winds down, Larson hopes to savor every last moment on the field, reflecting on what has been an unforgettable four-year journey alongside his teammates.
“We immediately grew close during preseason freshman year, almost treating college like a sleep away camp,” he reflected. “We’re a very tight class and I can’t wait to see the journey everyone takes after graduation.”
Phillip Washington
Fourth-year defender Phillip Washington’s first visit to CWRU came during the middle of a snowstorm. Instead of deterring him, the experience helped him decide that CWRU was the right place for him.
“The people I met were friendly and genuinely interested in me,” Washington said. “Ultimately, what drew me to Case was the campus, the community, and the opportunity to learn at a top university while continuing to play the sport I love.”
Since then, Washington has appeared in 36 games for the Spartans, recording over 2,800 minutes on the field. Starting all 16 games last season, he was a major part of the Spartan backline that achieved five shutouts during the season and missed a mere 17 minutes of playing time during the entire season—leading the team with over 1,400 minutes. In addition, he has received UAA All-Academic recognition for three years in a row—including honors for the past two years—highlighting his commitment to both academic and athletics.
Balancing a demanding finance major with varsity soccer hasn’t been easy, but Washington has found the experience rewarding.
“Balancing my finance studies with varsity soccer has definitely been a challenge, but a fun one,” he said. “Especially during the fall semester, it can feel like a lot at times, but my teammates make it much easier since we’re all in the same boat. Staying on top of everything really comes down to time management and being honest with my professors or classmates if I need a little extra help.”
Outside of soccer, Washington has pursued his interest in business and consulting through Consult Your Community, working to provide pro-bono consulting services to local Cleveland businesses. An upperclassman introduced Washington to the club when he was a first-year, and he was drawn to it because of his enjoyment of the problem-solving and ambiguity involved in consulting.
Reflecting on four years with his class, Washington emphasized the team’s shared experience and how meaningful it has been to grow alongside his teammates.
“We spend so much time together with practices, games, meetings, and just hanging out that the past four years have flown by … we have experienced most of the major moments in college together, and we can reflect on them collectively,” he said.
After graduation, Washington plans to continue exploring the field of finance and learn from his peers in the professional world to find the niche that suits him best. But before that, he’s focused on making the most of his final season in the Spartan uniform.
“[I hope to] enjoy time with my teammates en route to winning the NCAA Tournament,” he said.
Ben Collier
Fourth-year defender Ben Collier has been playing soccer since elementary school recess, when friendly pickup games sparked a lifelong passion for the sport. Since joining the Spartans, Collier has appeared in 20 career matches. While he hasn’t logged as many minutes as some of his teammates, his consistent effort and readiness have made him a valuable contributor whenever called upon.
Collier says that balancing the demands of varsity athletics with academics requires focus, but the team’s culture has helped him thrive.
“Being on a team of motivated people helps a lot to stay focused, get work done, and pursue career endeavors,” he said.
Beyond soccer, Collier has found ways to make an impact in his college career. During his first year, he founded Jog with Dogs, a volunteer club dedicated to walking and caring for animals at a local shelter. At the club’s peak it had over 50 members taking part in walking every single dog at a local shelter. Collier credits the idea of founding the club with his experience volunteering at the Humane Society growing up. In addition, he has also been involved with the CWRU chapter of Consult Your Community as the Engagement Manager, working to support small businesses with consulting advice.
Reflecting on four years with his teammates, Collier takes note of how the shared experience has been one of the most meaningful parts of college life.
“We have a lot of shared experiences and have gone through a lot together. It’s special to see the personal growth of some of your best friends over four years, and I’m confident that everyone will lead successful lives due to their efforts in college and other lessons instilled by the team environment,” he said.
Now entering his final weeks in the Spartan uniform, Collier is focused on enjoying every moment and helping the team finish strong as they look to make the NCAA tournament. While his name may not always dominate the stat sheet, Collier’s four years at CWRU have embodied the values of consistency and teamwork. Whether on the field, in the classroom or in the community, his steady presence has helped define the program’s culture of dedication and integrity.
McLaren Baggett
Fourth-year forward McLaren Baggett has been involved in soccer for as long as he can remember. Getting his start in a soccer-tots program at the age of three, the sport has been a lifelong part of who he is. As he approaches the end of his final season as a Spartan, Baggett reflects on how the game has shaped him both as an athlete and as a person.
“While it is true I’m a senior, and the end of this season will certainly be bittersweet I have no doubt, soccer is never truly going to be left behind for me,” he said. “Having played for so long, it’s a piece of the person that I am. The successes, failures, and people which the game has brought me shape the person I am today.”
Baggett’s journey to CWRU was not the typical recruiting story, as he had already gained admission to the university before Coach Poe was aware of him. What settled his decision to commit to CWRU was its reputation for strong academics, having heard good things about it from family friends who had attended the school.
“Upon being accepted I reached out to Coach Poe to see if he had a roster spot open and he thought I would be a good fit for the team, so decided to offer me the spot,” Baggett said.
Since taking up the offer, Baggett has played in 33 games, spending over 800 minutes on the field. Though he hasn’t always been among the most visible players on the field, his commitment and preparation have made him an essential part of the squad’s depth and culture. This can also be seen off the field, where as an aerospace engineering major with a business management minor Baggett found his limits being tested early on in his collegiate career.
“In all honesty, it was a struggle at first. The workload from my major coupled with the responsibilities of a varsity athlete was a lot to handle. However, with the help of teammates and some adapting to new circumstances I learned how to budget out my time efficiently and maintain the balance between my degree and soccer,” Baggett said.
On the topic of teammates, for Baggett the most meaningful part of his time at CWRU has been the people—including the teammates he has played, studied and hung out with over the past four years.
“Words aren’t enough to describe the bond that we all share having been through these past years together,” he said. “It’s been amazing getting to spend these seasons together and watch each other grow as we’ve progressed, both in soccer and as people. The battles we fought both on the field and off will be memories to last a lifetime.”
Looking ahead, Baggett is beginning to plan for life after graduation. He hopes to join the workforce and is currently in the process of interviewing with and applying to a wide variety of startups and companies that best suit his interests. In the meantime, he hopes to close out his time on the team knowing that he made a difference that those who will still be on the team next year can take with them. He is also grateful for the strong support his teammates and coaches have provided him throughout his collegiate career and hopes to return the favor to all of them.
“I’d [like] to let all of my teammates and coaches know that the impact they’ve had on me throughout my time in the program has truly changed me for the better,” he said. “I am eternally grateful to each and every one of them, and I hope to be there for them in the next steps of their own journeys.”