Coming off back-to-back University Athletic Association championships, the Emory University men’s soccer team has shown no signs of slowing down this season. The team currently has a remarkable 11–0-2 record, earning them a third-place national ranking amongst Division III schools. A huge key to the team’s success has been the addition of graduate forward Ignacio Cubeddu.
As an undergraduate, Cubeddu played at Amherst College (Mass.). He played in 46 total matches, scoring eight goals and tallying 11 assists. Cubeddu also was a part of Amherst’s four separate national title game appearances. Amherst lost the first three, but finally took the trophy home in 2024.
Cubeddu was out for the 2024 season due to an ACL tear, but he was still thrilled to see his teammates pull through after several years of falling just short. He said he even appreciated the time off, which allowed him to see the parts of his mentality that were not as sharp and needed to be taken more seriously.
“Just being more composed, realizing that less is more and loving every moment that I get on the field, not taking it for granted,” Cubeddu said.
Cubeddu decided to come to Emory for his fifth and final year of eligibility. He credits Emory’s academics, campus and, most importantly, talented soccer team with motivating him to play here.
“I didn't want to go somewhere and play and not do well and not compete,” Cubeddu said. “Emory was good at soccer, great academics, beautiful school, beautiful campus, a lot of nature, which really resonated with me.”
Traditionally, the Eagles have been a possession-dominating team, playing from the back and being more composed on the ball. However, the addition of Cubeddu, who is a dangerous attacker, has made the team much more well-rounded and successful. Cubeddu leads the team this season with 11 goals and 28 points. He also scored a career-high four goals in a 5-0 victory against Sewanee: The University of the South (Tenn.). He became the sixth player in Emory history to achieve this feat.
“To have him score four goals in one match was pretty incredible,” said senior midfielder Josh Grand. “We knew what he was capable of, but to see that done in an important match for us was pretty jaw-dropping.”
Cubeddu’s talented scoring ability has stood out across the country, as he was named United Soccer Coaches Division III Player of the Month for September. Many of his teammates have taken notice as well, including sophomore forward Jake Breitegan.
“His footwork and his finishing ability, along with his confidence, make him the most dangerous player on the field in any standpoint,” Breitegan said. “He’s always looking for the ball, always wanting to get it at his feet, take players on.”
In addition to being a star player, Cubeddu has embraced becoming a role model for the Eagles. With all of his experience and team-first mentality, many of the younger members of the team look up to Cubeddu.
“Every day that I'm on the field with him, I get better as a player,” Breitegan said. “He's just a great guy to have come up and put his arm around you. When you hear a player of his skill level tell you ‘good job,’ it means more than you think.”
Coming into a new program with a different style than he was used to at Amherst, Cubeddu did not want to take over and try to change the system. Instead, he said he has worked hard to fit in with the ethos of the team and be a leader by example.
“If I were to come in and try to change things, I think that would create some frictions,” Cubeddu said. “For me, it was just embracing the culture that they have, being a good teammate and talking on the field, and now that's going to lead to better things.”
Cubeddu has certainly succeeded at his leadership role, as the players on the team take notice of his work ethic and determination. Cubeddu follows a strict diet, which helps him stay focused and recover. He also does extra work after practice and visualizes before every match. Grand said he and his teammates take note of Cubeddu’s actions and use it to motivate themselves to be better.
“I don't think I've ever seen anyone with the diet, the determination and the focus during my time at Emory as he has,” Grand said. “It definitely gets everyone else in check when…you see him eating his sardines from a can and just doing wind sprints after practice.”
The Eagles have dominated this season without a single loss on their record, and they have recorded remarkable team stats, including a 46-to-9 goal ratio and recording 231 more shot attempts than their opponents. Cubeddu said they have all the elements of a great team, and also enjoy playing together.
“The talent is there, the mindset’s there, the guys are hungry this year and the coach gives us the freedom to to play our game,” Cubeddu said. “We’re having fun, we’re doing well.”
For Cubeddu, it is especially important to enjoy his last college season. He said staying focused on his primary goal has helped to keep him motivated in his final season.
“I want to win, I need to win,” Cubeddu said. “It's a national championship or nothing for me. That's the mentality I really want to have.”
