Great Lakes Region Navigation Channel

[D-Three Fan]

John Carroll bids farewell to the OAC after dropping a 0-1 decision to Capital in the conference tournament. Otterbein also advances with a win over Wilmington.

[Ejay]

Denison over Kenyon
OWU with a huge defensive blunder in OT hands DePauw the victory.

[kansas hokie]

wow, two interesting results. OWU likely lost the abilty to host a pod and Denison may get to now. Kenyon may also fall and not be able to host. Geography may dictate that one of OWU/Kenyon still need to host though.

[SimpleCoach]

The NCAC is just topsy turvy this year.  Thought Kenyon at the start was going to take it to Denison, but credit to Coach Bianco's men for being resilient.  And count me impressed with DePauw.  Really able to neutralize OWU after the first goal.

SC.

[SKUD]

Let's not forget SC's men getting it done!  Not easy to beat a team 2x in a row.

[Ejay]

The DePauw Tigers are your 2024 NCAC Champions after defeating Denison in PKs. DePauw GK saved the first two PKs and their shooters took care of their rest.

[Little Giant 89]

The DePauw Tigers are your 2024 NCAC Champions after defeating Denison in PKs. DePauw GK saved the first two PKs and their shooters took care of their rest.

Wow!  I didn't see that coming.

[Rcjh2245]

USC All Region teams, Region VII:

https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-NCAA-D3-Men-All-Region-Teams-112623.pdf

[Kuiper]

The third conference to announce today (after ODAC and NWC). There may be more.  I half expect the NCAA to announce that it's going to sign with Flo for the D3 men's soccer tournament at this point.  It will be interesting to see if the NCAC holds out with the OAC joining.

OAC signs exclusive media rights deal with Flo Sports

FloSportsand the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) have entered into an exclusive five-year media rights agreement that will begin in the fall of 2025, bringing nine universities to the FloCollegeplatform. Through the agreement, FloSports will provide a global platform to live stream over 1,000 regular-season and postseason events annually. The partnership further reinforces FloSports' commitment to Division III athletics - adding a ninth Division III conference to the portfolio - and the 18th NCAA conference to FloCollege in the fall. 

The Ohio Athletic Conference is the nation's third-oldest collegiate athletic conference, founded in 1902. The conference consists of nine members: Baldwin Wallace University, Capital University, Heidelberg University, Marietta College, University of Mount Union, Muskingum University, Ohio Northern University, Otterbein University and Wilmington College. 

"This partnership with FloSports is an exciting opportunity for the Ohio Athletic Conference," said Bethany Dannelly, Commissioner of the OAC. "FloSports has demonstrated a strong commitment to Division III athletics, and we are proud to team up with a national leader in digital sports media to elevate the visibility of our institutions, our teams, and most importantly, our student-athletes. This partnership also enhances how fans experience OAC athletics and reinforces our commitment to providing a high-quality, student-centered experience."

FloCollege will deliver live and on-demand coverage for the OAC full sports calendar across 23 sports. Beyond live competition, FloSports will also invest in original content and storytelling initiatives online and across social media aimed at elevating the profile of OAC student-athletes and institutions. The OAC joins several of its regular non-conference opponents in partnering with FloSports, the industry leader and primary media rights partner for Division III conferences.

Michael Levy, FloSports SVP of Global Rights & Acquisition, added, "The OAC is one of the most storied conferences in Division III with a tremendous history in athletics. We're excited to elevate exposure for its schools and athletes, while investing in their ability to produce high-quality events."

[Kuiper]

The OAC has come out with their 2025 Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.  Looks like the coaches see this as a three team race.

1. Ohio Northern (5) 58
2. Mount Union (2)   56
3. Otterbein (2)     55
4. Capital           42
5. Wilmington        39
6. Marietta          27
7. Baldwin Wallace   23
8. Muskingum         12
9. Heidelberg        12

[Kuiper]

Is the HCAC considered part of the Great Lakes Region Navigation Channel?  Not sure, but I'll just post the HCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll here anyway.  Looks like a three horse race in the Kentucky and near Kentucky Derby.

HCAC PRESEASON POLL RESULTS:
1) Rose-Hulman - 74 (3)
2) Transylvania - 73 (3)
3) Hanover - 70 (4)
4) Anderson- 57
5) Manchester - 36
6) Berea - 33
T7) Earlham - 31
T7) Mount St. Joseph - 31
9) Bluffton - 27
10) Franklin - 18

[Kuiper]

The NCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll is out and Denison beats out Kenyon and Ohio Wesleyan for the top spot

2025 North Coast Athletic Conference
Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll

Place    Institution (1st Place Votes)    Total Points
1    Denison (6)    78
2    Kenyon (2)    71
3    Ohio Wesleyan (1)    62
4    DePauw    48
5    John Carroll    47
6    Wabash    33
7    Wooster    23
8    Wittenberg    22
9    Oberlin    21

[SimpleCoach]

NCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll is out and Denison beats out Kenyon and Ohio Wesleyan for the top spot

2025 North Coast Athletic Conference
Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll

Place    Institution (1st Place Votes)    Total Points
1    Denison (6)    78
2    Kenyon (2)    71
3    Ohio Wesleyan (1)    62
4    DePauw    48
5    John Carroll    47
6    Wabash    33
7    Wooster    23
8    Wittenberg    22
9    Oberlin    21

Watching the Battling Bishops of OWU in a very early pre-season scrimmage against Ohio Dominican... I think ... This is a different looking OWU team than from previous years.  I think they will surprise some people.

SC.

[Gregory Sager]

The NCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll is out and Denison beats out Kenyon and Ohio Wesleyan for the top spot

2025 North Coast Athletic Conference
Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll

Place    Institution (1st Place Votes)    Total Points
1    Denison (6)    78
2    Kenyon (2)    71
3    Ohio Wesleyan (1)    62
4    DePauw    48
5    John Carroll    47
6    Wabash    33
7    Wooster    23
8    Wittenberg    22
9    Oberlin    21

Man, that just looks wrong to see John Carroll's name on an NCAC table.

[Kuiper]

The Presidents Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll is out.  Grove City just barely edges out Franciscan for the top spot.  This is somewhat noteworthy since Franciscan is the defending champion and many polls simply replicate last season's results.  Nevertheless, Franciscan just edged out Grove City in the conference finals for the championship and Grove City has been predicted to finish 1st six of the last seven years.

The PAC also highlights players to watch on each team, which I've included since I'm guessing most people who follow other conferences don't know these teams.  Plus, teams from the PAC probably don't know players from Hiram to watch.  It might be interesting to see if the one Hiram player named 3rd team all NCAC is more like a 1st or 2nd team All PAC player since the NCAC is a more highly-rated conference.

2025 PAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll (Predicted order of finish)
School (first-place votes)    Points    2024 record (conference)
1. Grove City College (6)    116    11-4-3 (7-2-1 PAC)
2. Franciscan University (5)    113    13-2-5 (7-0-3 PAC)
3. Geneva College (1)    104    12-3-5 (6-0-4 PAC)
4. Allegheny College    82    7-11-3 (5-3-2 PAC)
5. Waynesburg University     78    7-6-4 (3-3-4 PAC)
6. Chatham University    69    7-6-6 (4-2-4 PAC)
7. Washington & Jefferson College    65    7-11-1 (4-5-1 PAC)
8t. Saint Vincent College    40    2-11-6 (1-8-1 PAC)
8t. Westminster College    40    5-9-3 (2-7-1 PAC)
10. Hiram College    35    3-12-2 (0-8 NCAC)
11t. Bethany College    25    1-11-4 (1-5-4 PAC)
11t. Thiel College    25    7-8-2 (2-7-1 PAC)

2025 PAC Men's Soccer Players to Watch
1=2024 1st Team All-PAC / 2=2nd Team All-PAC / HM = Honorable Mention
Allegheny College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Aidan Dyga (HM)    Jr.    D    Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny
Will Gruca (1)    Jr.    M    Baden, Pa./Ambridge
Ben Keefer    So.    M    Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley
Jacob Kubik-Pauw    Sr.    D    Guatemala City, Guatemala/Hanover-N.H.
Nick Magee    Jr.    F    Venetia, Pa./Peters Township
 
Bethany College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Ricardo Diaz    Jr.    M    Yuba City, Calif./Del Campo
Derieck Hernandez    So.    F    New Orleans, La./Kenner Discovery
Adam Imulse    Jr.    GK    Cincinnati, Ohio/Finneytown
Hector Torres    Sr.    D    Willits, Calif./Willits
Nahuel Vivas    Sr.    D    Salta, Argentina/Colegio Parroquial San Alfonso
 
Chatham University
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Maxwell Cottrill (HM)    Jr.    GK    Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh CAPA
Emilio Herrera    So.    M    San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignatius College Prep
Xavier Johnston    Jr.    M    Springfield, Va./Saint Stephen's Saint Agnes School
Justin Knox    Jr.    M    Cambridge Md./Cambridge South Dorchester
 
Franciscan University
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Lucas Cross (1)    Sr.    F    Clarkston, Mich./Everest Collegiate
Aidan Henninger    Sr.    D    Sequim, Wash./Sequim
Aiden Miller (2)    Jr.    GK    Galena, Ohio/Olentangy Berlin
Zachary Muldoon (2)    Sr.    D    Cincinnati, Ohio/Homeschooled
Augustine Rubino (HM)    Sr.    M    Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge
 
Geneva College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Wil Dunda (1)    Sr.    M    Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley
Luke Main     So.    M    Denver, Pa./Cocalico
Mike Rogers     Sr.    M    Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Twp.
Gabe Singh (HM)    Sr.    M    Valencia, Pa./Mars
Caleb Thompson     Sr.    D    Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park
 
Grove City College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Aiden Eck (1)    Sr.    M    Akron, Pa./Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy
Noah Gray (2)    Jr.    M    Glen Mills, Pa./The Christian Academy
Matt Herrmann    Sr.    M    Hilton, N.Y./Paul V. Moore
Luke Kimmich    5th    F    Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional
Camden Thomas (1)    Sr.    M    North Lima, Ohio/South Range
 
Hiram College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Carmine Boscarello    So.    M    Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls
Alex Lineen    So.    F    Hamburg, N.Y./Hamburg
Simon Schonfeld (3rd Team All-NCAC)    Jr.    D    Wooster, Ohio/Wooster
Jimmy Zeilmann    Jr.    D    North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton
 
Saint Vincent College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Jack Billick (HM)    So.    M    Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-LaSalle
Oziel Bonola-Soriano    Jr.    F    Willards, Md./Parkside
Cade Coldiron    Jr.    M    Powell, Ohio/Mars Area-Pa.
Bruno Hurtado    Jr.    M    Santa Cruz, Bolivia/Santa Cruz Cooperative School
Cameron Mulvanny    Jr.    M    Denton, Texas/John H. Guyer
   
Thiel College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Pierson Badowski    Jr.    M    Grove City, Pa./Grove City
Grant Becker    Jr.    M    North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted
Trey Grazier    Jr.    D    Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler
Mitchell Strauss (HM)    So.    F    Bradford, Pa./Bradford Area
   
Washington & Jefferson College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Jonathan Barahona    Fr.    F    Leesburg, Va./Tuscarora
Ethan Bowser     Sr.    F/M    Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward
Luke Curran    Fr.    D/M/F    Ellicott City, Md./Mount St. Joseph
Jimmy Gogol     Jr.    M    Westminster, Md./Westminster
Cole Young    Jr.    D    Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West
 
Waynesburg University
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Noah Biser     So.    D    Wake Forest, N.C./Wake Forest
Zachary Johnson     Jr.    F    Raceland, Ky./Saint Joseph Central Catholic
Sarpong Kwabiah (2)    So.    M    Odenton, Md./Meade
Mason Lewis (HM)    Jr.    M    Venetia, Pa./Peters Township
Josh Smith    So.    F    Dover, Ohio/Dover
 
Westminster College
Name    Yr.    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Orrin Milcic    Jr.    M    Butler, Pa./Homeschooled (Knoch)
Nisho Simon    So.    D    Kapolei, Hawaii/Mililani