Teddy Opler ‘28 fell in love with soccer from the moment he first kicked a ball at age four. Encouraged and supported by his family, Opler’s passion for soccer has turned into a defining skill that is shaping the current CC men’s soccer team. However, Opler did not take a straight path to his arrival and subsequent success at Colorado College.
One of the most significant turning points in Opler’s soccer career came in 2020. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, Opler, then 14, found himself given the unique opportunity to train abroad in Germany. Opler declined due to his goal of maintaining a balanced life.
“It would have just been like living, breathing soccer,” said Opler. “It just wouldn’t have been as valuable to me. I wanted to stay close to home and still train, but also go to school.”
Before his arrival at Colorado College, Opler made his mark at Jackson Hole High School in Wyoming. Earning four varsity letters with the Broncos, Opler was a three-time all-state and all-conference selection (2021, 2022, 2024) and was named the Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year in 2024.
That same season, he led his league in scoring with 34 goals and 25 assists. He capped his high school career by leading the Broncos to the Class 4A State Championship, all while maintaining a 3.94 GPA and a position on the dean’s honor roll.
Opler graduated as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 93 career goals. Opler’s consistent drive for self-improvement has been a contributor to the Colorado College men’s soccer team’s success this season. With an impressive 6-0-4 record, the Tigers remain undefeated, an accomplishment that reflects the caliber and work ethic of each player.
Opler’s recent standout performances earned him the title of Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Offensive Player of the Week, a testament to his impact on the field.
Opler’s transition to the collegiate level has been seamless. As a freshman, he was the only first-year player to appear in all 22 games, starting seven. He led all newcomers with four goals, four assists, 40 shots, 12 shots on goal, and two game-winning goals, earning a place on the All-SCAC Freshman Team and the SCAC Academic Honor Roll. His breakout performance included a career-high two goals in his collegiate debut against Fontbonne on Aug. 30 and his first assist against Schreiner later that fall.
Now a sophomore, Opler continues to elevate his play while remaining grounded in his academics. Opler describes a key difference to this year being his own level of confidence. Over the summer, Opler focused on individual training, taking responsibility for his workouts and mindset.
With 11 new first-year players joining the roster this season, Opler sees an exciting future for the program.
“We have 11 freshmen,” said Opler. “It’s just very different from last year. We lost a lot of seniors after the season who were a core part of our team so now we’re creating our own identity that’s kind of new.”
Opler’s influence extends far beyond the stat sheet. He describes his role as a calm presence and source of support for his teammates.
“On the field I’m growing into a role of playing through example,” said Opler. “I’m there to reinforce what our captains and our upperclassmen have to say about things.”
Opler said he wants to win the conference and the SCAC tournament, which helps fuel his motivation for games. He hopes to improve his performance when the stakes are high.
“I feel like I can get better in those moments,” he said. “I’m not perfect under pressure.”
Looking ahead, Opler is motivated by many goals, including the hope of becoming an All-American.
“I want to just continue to score goals and create chances,” said Opler. “That’s kind of all there is.”
Opler’s advice to other athletes is to not care what other people think, and focus on yourself and what you can control.
“Focus on yourself,” he said. “It’s a team sport but you’ve got to make sure you’re doing your own job and making sure that you’re staying healthy or getting stronger.”
Above all Opler stressed the need to love the sport in and of itself: “Always enjoy the game.”