Men’s Soccer
The 2025 campaign made one thing clear: success D3 men’s soccer comes from alignment and focus. With 407 programs competing in 2026, student-athletes who find the right system, culture, and campus can put themselves in a position to excel on the field and in the classroom.
Tufts set the standard in 2025. Under head coach Kyle Dezotell, the Jumbos finished 20-1-3 and captured their fifth national championship, defeating Trinity (Texas), 2-1, in overtime. Their defense was among the nation’s best, finishing the season with a 0.54 team goals-against average and 11 shutouts.
In the MIAC, St. Olaf paired an explosive attack with a disciplined defensive approach on its way to reaching the national semifinals. The Oles finished the season 20-3-3, ranked among the nation’s assist leaders, and recorded 73 assists as a team. Ryan Bechtel led Division III with 13 assists, finished with 35 points, and earned United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America honors.
Excellence kicks off in the classroom. The 11 members of the 2025 D3 Men’s Soccer Academic All-America first team posted a 3.92 average GPA, with three honorees earning perfect 4.00s. Rowan’s Johnny Troiano, the Division III Academic All-America Team Member of the Year, finished with a 3.76 GPA as a law and justice studies major while earning United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-America honors for the second consecutive year.
Division III can also open doors to continue one’s success on the pitch. Matthew Fondy, a 2009 UC Santa Cruz alumnus and Division III All-American, turned professional after college, playing in the USL and MLS, including appearances for Chivas USA and the Chicago Fire. He later set a USL single-season scoring record with 21 goals for Louisville City in 2015.
D3 men’s soccer is where student-athletes sharpen their craft and prepare for the road ahead, balancing preparation, teamwork, and academic ambition along the way.
.