The Lindenwood men’s soccer program announced its 2025 schedule on Thursday, which features 18 matches, including 10 inside Hunter Stadium.

The Lions will begin the season on the road in a matchup with Chicago State on August 21, before coming home for a pair of matches against Milwaukee and Wright State. Lindenwood will then travel to Evansville to take on the Purple Aces on September 4. The Black and Gold defeated Evansville, 3-2 last season.

Lindenwood returns home for three-straight home matches against St. Thomas, Westminster, and LeMoyne, respectively. Conference play will begin on September 19 against new OVC member University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on the road. The Lions will continue their road swing against SIUE on September 27 and Eastern Illinois on October 2.

The Black and Gold welcome Western Illinois on October 5 and SIUE on October 9, before hitting the road to take on Liberty on October 12. Lindenwood comes back to Hunter Stadium on October 16 for a matchup with Incarnate Word, before hosting Houston Christian on October 19. Lindenwood travels to Evansville, Ind. to face Southern Indiana on October 25, and will close out the home slate on October 30 against Eastern Illinois.

In November, Lindenwood concludes the regular season in a matchup against Western Illinois on November 2. The OVC Championships will be held at Hunter Stadium for the first time from November 9-15.
 

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Former men’s soccer standout Shea Bechtel ’25 was selected as St. Olaf College’s nominee for the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) Men’s Sport Student-Athlete of the Year.

After rewriting the program’s record book during his four-year career, Bechtel will be under consideration for the national accolade after graduating this spring as a quantitative economics major. Bechtel and the other institutional nominees will be reviewed by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) staff, which will submit the conference endorsements to the selection committee. DIIICA regional selections will be announced on Aug. 21 and the national awards will be announced on Sept. 4.

“My journey as a student-athlete at St. Olaf has been shaped by a deep commitment to growth athletically, academically, and personally,” Bechtel said. “The Division III philosophy afforded me the balance I needed to thrive in all areas of life and empowered by to lead with purpose and perspective.”

Bechtel was named an All-American in three of his four seasons at St. Olaf, earning second-team honors from the United Soccer Coaches in his final two seasons after being a D3soccer.com second-team choice as a sophomore. He was also a four-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree, including landing first-team honors in each of his final three seasons, a four-time All-MIAC selection, a two-time MIAC Offensive Player of the Year, and the 2021 MIAC Rookie of the Year. Bechtel is one of three multi-time United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and two four-time All-MIAC selections in program history.

Over his four-year career, Bechtel set program records in goals (42), assists (45), points (129), game-winning goals (15), shots (260), shots on goal (tied, 129), games played (93), and games started (91) while becoming the 23rd NCAA Division III men’s soccer student-athlete to compile at least 40 goals and 40 assists in his career. His career totals in goals (t-9th), assists (t-3rd), and points (4th) all rank in the top 10 in MIAC history. Bechtel tallied at least 30 points in all four of his seasons while helping St. Olaf to a 69-15-10 overall record, a 33-2-5 MIAC record, three MIAC regular-season titles, three MIAC Playoff titles, four NCAA Tournament appearances, and the program’s first national title.

After compiling a 3.77 cumulative grade-point average during his time on The Hill, Bechtel was a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America ® honoree, collecting first-team honors as a senior and second-team honors as a junior. He was also a three-time CSC Academic All-District ® selection, a three-time Academic All-MIAC honoree, and a 2023 United Soccer Coaches First Team Scholar All-North/Central Region honoree. Bechtel was also actively involved with his team’s Team IMPACT member, Jordan, during his career, volunteered for the Special Olympics Minnesota Polar Plunge, was a three-year team captain, and volunteered over 60 hours teaching English while studying abroad in Italy as a junior.

“Looking back, I see how the Division III experience allowed me to pursue excellence in multiple areas without compromise,” Bechtel added. “It gave me the space to grow as a leader, a learner, and a global citizen. I leave St. Olaf with a broader perspective, a deeper sense of purpose, and the confidence to face future challenges with the same passion and perseverance that defined my time as a student-athlete.”
 

NEW YORK — Head coach Michael Casper officially introduced eight newcomers to the 2025 Columbia University men’s soccer roster. All eight incoming players enter Columbia as first-year students.

“I am excited about this group and welcome them to NYC and Morningside Heights,” Casper said. “Tobias Esche, Kevin Valdovinos, and Andrew Fishman have worked hard to help identify players that fit the model of what we want Columbia men’s soccer to look like – hard-working and technical with the ability to become difference makers for us. With this being our second recruiting class, we are looking forward to seeing how this group of players will impact our program on the field, in the locker room and in the community.”

Details on this season’s incoming class are below. Fans can access the complete 2025 Columbia men’s soccer roster by clicking this link.

Yianni Goulandris – Fy. – M/F – 5-10 – 155 – CC – London, England / St. Paul’s School / Watford FC Academy

Prior to Columbia: An attacking midfielder from London … Played for St Paul’s School A Team every year he attended the school (13-16 years old) … Captained St. Paul’s in his final year with the team … Came up through Watford FC Academy … Played for Watford FC U16 in 2021-22, then U18 in 22-23 and 23-24 … Played for Cockfosters FC First Team in 2024-25 … Internationally, competed for Greece U19, making his debut as a 17-year-old in August 2023.

Personal: Member of St. Paul’s student council … Enjoys chess, reading, water sports, including surfing and kitesurfing … Favorite sports memories are making his international debut for Greece and signing his contract with Watford FC … Has co-authored a book on financial literacy, which will be published by Hodder and Stoughton at the end of 2025.

Stepan Kapranov – Fy. – M – 5-9 – 165 – CC – Holmdel, N.J. / Holmdel / Players Development Academy

Prior to Columbia: A center midfielder from Holmdel, New Jersey … Three-year member of Holmdel High School boys soccer team … Won back-to-back soccer sectional state championships with Holmdel his sophomore and junior years … Named a regional All-American as a junior … 2023 Shore Sports Network Player of the Year … 2024 All-Monmouth County First Team selection … Played for Cedar Starts Monmouth (2021-22) and Players Development Academy (2022-25) at the club level.

Personal: Mother played professional soccer in Russia … Father played in the second tier of professional Russian hockey … Enjoys spike ball, hockey, gym, and coaching … Favorite sports memory is winning back-to-back Central Jersey Group 2 Sectional Titles.

Sage Kinner – Fy. – D – 6-2 – 190 – CC – Franklin, Mass. / US Performance Academy / New England Revolution Academy

Prior to Columbia: A center back from Franklin, Massachusetts … Attended Franklin High School as a freshman, then US Performance Academy as a sophomore, junior, and senior … Came up through the New England Revolution Academy system … Made his debut for New England Revolution 2 in July of 2024.

Personal: Uncle, Rick, played basketball at Cal Poly (1996-98) … Enjoys grilling, golfing, pickle ball, basketball and traveling … Favorite sports memory is making his debut with New England Revolution 2 in July of 2024.

Henning Myrvang – Fy. – F – 5-11 – 170 – CC – Lier, Norway / Akademiet Drammen AS / Strømsgodset TF Academy

Prior to Columbia: A striker from Lier, Norway … Came up in the sport through Strømsgodset Toppfotball club system (2015-24) … Won the national championship with Strømsgodset TF U20 in 2023 … Played for FK Ørn Horten in 2025 … Averaged 0.5 goals per game through his club career … Also played in the UEFA youth league.

Personal: Father competed in bandy for the Norwegian National Team and earned bronze in the World Cup … Enjoys playing tennis and golf … Volunteer coach for a special needs team … Lived in Boston from 2009-11.

Connor Owen – Fy. – D – 5-8 – 150 – CC – Hillsborough, Calif. / ASU Prep Digital / San Jose Earthquakes Academy

Prior to Columbia: A defender from Hillsborough, California … Four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, ranking as high as fourth in Northern California and 80th nationally … Played in U16 MLS Next Best of Game as a U15 … Called to a 36-player camp for the U15 US National Team at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista … Participated at youth professional trials at Spanish academy CF Damm … Played at the club level for Breakers FC and Woodside Crush (U12-U16) and San Jose Earthquakes Academy (U17-U18).

Personal: Grandfather, Ken Sitzberger, won a gold medal for USA in diving at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and was inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame. Grandmother, Jeanne Collier, won a silver medal for USA at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics … Great Grandfather, Robert Collier, ran track at Indiana University … Invented the Bookie Cushion … Enjoys playing the guitar, skiing, golf, pickleball, hiking and cycling.

Oli Sacks – Fy. – M – 5-10 – 165 – CC – Sydney, Australia / Raddam House / Sydney FC Academy

Prior to Columbia: A midfielder from Sydney, Australia … Came up through Sydney FC Academy from ages 11-17, playing in the U13–U20 divisions … Represented Sydney FC starting at age 11 in the U13 division against Ajax, Feyenoord and Utrecht amongst other club academies … Represented the Australian Schoolboys U16, starting six of seven games … NSW All Rounder … 99.05 ATAR score

Personal: Born and lived in Australia … Father’s side is from South Africa … Late grandfather, Jeffrey Sacks, was a professional tennis player who won the U18 and Open Men’s South Africa National Championship … Enjoys listening to music, going to the gym, watching movies and training ,,, Favorite sports memory is representing his nation.

Aris Taki – Fy. – GK – 6-4 – 205 – CC – Nicosia, Cyprus / The English School / PAC Omonia 29M

Prior to Columbia: A goalkeeper from Nicosia, Cyprus … Seven-year member of The English School boys soccer team … Also played volleyball for three years and competed in javelin one year … Captained both his soccer team and his volleyball team … Competed at the club level for Anorthosis Famagusta FC (2022-23) and PAC Omonoia 29M (2023-25) … Represented his country on the U19 Cyprus National Team … Received The English School Founder Award for Excellent Performance in Geography (2021) and Physical Education (2021, 2022).

Personal: Red Cross Cyprus volunteer … Served the infantry unit of the Cyprus military for 14 months … Played percussion for five years … Enjoys learning Spanish and listening to music … Favorite sports memory is making his First Division men’s team debut for PAC Omonia 29M.

Amir Yahalom – Fy. – M – 6-2 – 170 – CC – Brookline, Mass. / Brookline / Boston Bolts

Prior to Columbia: A midfielder from Brookline, Massachusetts … Played at the club level for Valeo Futbol Academy until 2018, Resolution Academy (2018-19) and Boston Bolts (2019-25) … Competed for Maccabi USA U17 and captained his team … National Honor Society.

Personal: Brother, Ohad, played soccer for four years at Dartmouth and was captain his senior year … Also enjoys playing basketball, spike ball and tennis.

While flashy goal scorers or stout goaltenders often grab most soccer attention, this year Celebration defensive center back Luca DeTorres is the Osceola News-Gazette Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Long the most dominant boys’ soccer program in the county, Celebration had another outstanding 14-4-1 season. DeTorres was the key member of that team that surrendered just 20 goals in 19 games and recorded 10 shutouts.

“I thought my season went great,” DeTorres said. “But to tell you the truth, any individual accolades I received would not have been possible without my great teammates and coaches. Celebration soccer is a family and we always push each other to get better and our coaches did a great job of keeping us motivated.”

“I just don’t think there was any question that he was the best player on the field for almost every game,” Storm Athletics Director and assistant coach Chad Boudreaux said. “He was a dominating player for us.”

Sadly for coach, DeTorres will not return for his senior season. He has played the last couple of club seasons for IdeaSport, who became affiliated with MLS Next. That move keeps DeTorres eligible to play college soccer, but essentially ended his high school eligibility.

“That part is really disappointing for me because I love Celebration and its program. Still, I think it is the right decision for me because exposure in MLS Next is an upgrade in competition and gives me more exposure to colleges and professional soccer.”

“He’s certainly ready for that next step,” Boudreaux said. “Luca definitely wants to eventually play college and then professional soccer and this is the best thing for him,” Boudreaux says.

All-County Boys Soccer

Player of the Year: Luca DeTorres, Celebration
Coach of the Year: Sagar Patel, Gateway
All-County Team — Goalie: Mateo Chavel, Sr., Gateway; Defense: Luca Ciccone, Sr., Celebration; Luis Rivero, Sr., Gateway;
Midfielders: Sebastian Guttierez, Sr., Osceola; Samuel Garcia, Sr., St. Cloud; Matt Cardenas, So., Harmony;
Forwards: Luis Angel Moreno, Jr., Gateway; Kitamba Lubulu, Sr., Harmony; Victor Ramos Mora, Sr., Celebration; Chris Blanton, Sr., Osceola
Honorable Mention: Andres Morales Molero, Sr., Celebration; Lorenzo Walls, Jr., Harmony; Josh Diascoaga, Sr., Osceola; Ryan Kermoun, Jr., Poinciana; Juan Page, Freshman, Tohopekaliga; Mathias Jiminez, Sr., St. Cloud

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