Men's Soccer

2025 WIAC Men’s Soccer Preview

MADISON, Wis.--The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced its preview and predictions for the 2025 men’s soccer season. The predictions were voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.
 
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the defending champion, is predicted to claim the regular-season title. The Blugolds also won the conference tournament championship a year ago and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Championship. UW-Eau Claire enters the 2025 campaign ranked No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Preseason Poll.
 
UW-Platteville, ranked No. 14 by the United Soccer Coaches, is pegged for the second in the conference standings. The Pioneers received a bid into the NCAA championship last season and advanced to the Sweet 16.
 
The remaining order in the conference predictions features: UW-River Falls; UW-Whitewater; UW-Stevens Point; and UW-Stout.
 
Cole Schwartz takes over the head coaching duties at UW-Stout. He was an assistant coach with Hamline University (Minn.) the past two years.
 
WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Aug. 29, while the conference slate will commence on Oct. 4. All six teams will qualify for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s). The event will be held Nov. 4, Nov. 6 and Nov. 8, with all matches hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
 
2025 Preseason Predictions--Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
 
2024 Record
1. UW-Eau Claire (17-2-5 overall, 4-0-1 WIAC/13 pts.)
2. UW-Platteville (14-2-5, 4-1/12 pts.)
3. UW-River Falls (8-11, 3-2/9 pts.)
4. UW-Whitewater (10-7-4, 2-2-1/7 pts.)
5. UW-Stevens Point (8-8-4, 1-4/3 pts.)
6. UW-Stout (2-16-1, 0-5/0 pts.)
 
 
Team Capsules
 
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach:  Casey Holm, 4th season at UWEC; 64-13-8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  18/14
Starters Returning/Lost:  7/4

Returning All-WIAC:  Carson Kowalski, Sr., D (2024-First); Alex Laroi, Jr., D (2024-Honorable); Noah Malcook, Jr., F (2024-First); Tate McDermott, So., M (2024-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Carmelo Kasim, Jr., D; Andrew Phillips, Jr., M; Owen Williams, Sr., F
 
 
UW-Platteville
Head Coach:  Jesse Tinney, 3rd season at UWP; 28-5-10
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  24/11
Starters Returning/Lost:  7/4

Returning All-WIAC: Seth Aiken, Sr., GK (2024-First/Goalkeeper of the Year); Ethan Dietrich, Sr., F (2024-First); Danny Gutzwiller, Sr., M (2024-First); Justin Williams, Sr., M (2024-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Sebastian Carranza, Sr., F; Alester Dawson, Sr., D; Brady Harwood, Jr., M/D; Brock Jurinek, Sr., F
 
 
UW-River Falls
Head Coach:  Evan Sassano, 5th season (2nd season at UWRF); 17-41-3 (overall) / 8-11 (at UWRF)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  14/14
Starters Returning/Lost:  7/4

Returning All-WIAC:  Mauricio Cuevas, So., D (2024-Honorable); Ben Harris, So., F (2024-First); Sorel Richardson, Jr., M (2024-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Holden Leifer, So., D; Gabi Abad Lobo, So., M; Noah Meschke, So., M; Victor Vancauteren, Jr., M
 
 
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach:  Jordan Kayser, 2nd season at UWSP; 8-8-4
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:   20/15
Starters Returning/Lost:  10/1

Returning All-WIAC:  Riley Nycz, So., M (2024-Honorable); Connor Urban, So., D (2024-First); Devin Wilkerson, So., F (2024-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Marcelo Chavez, So., M; Cameron Jochimsen, Sr., F; Jacob Havlik, So., GK; Carter Smith, So., D
 
 
UW-Stout
Head Coach:  Cole Schwartz; 1st season at UWST; 0-0
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  33/2
Starters Returning/Lost:  10/1

Returning All-WIAC:  None
 
Notable Returning Players:  Davis Arvold, So., F; Gianluca Jones, So., F; Isak Rollins, So., D; Alex Thayer, So., F
                                                                           
 
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach:  Tony Guinn, 15th season at UWW; 153-62-31
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  16/11
Starters Returning/Lost:  4/7

Returning All-WIAC:  James Kiraly, So., F (2024-First); Aidian Martin, Jr., M (2024-First); Cooper Re, Sr., F (2024-First); Hayden Saul, Jr., D (2024-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Luka Breslin, So., F; Zeke Healy, Sr., D; Adam Kaup, Sr., D; Matt White, Jr., D
 
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