Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

College Sports

Everything Coming to ESPN+ in June 2025

Published

on

Everything Coming to ESPN+ in June 2025

June 2025 is a powerhouse month for ESPN+, bringing an action-packed lineup of live sports, exclusive original content, and marquee championship events to subscribers. Whether you’re into football playoffs, combat sports, lacrosse, or iconic tennis tournaments, there’s something for every type of sports fan.

And for bundled Disney+ viewers, much of this content is accessible directly via the ESPN hub—blending convenience with premium coverage.

ESPN+ Logo

Here’s your complete guide to what’s streaming on ESPN+ in June 2025:


🏈 Football

United Football League (UFL) Playoffs

The UFL Playoffs heat up in June as teams fight for the 2025 Championship:

  • June 8 – Conference Championships
    • Michigan Panthers vs. Birmingham Stallions – 3 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)
    • DC Defenders vs. St. Louis Battlehawks – 6 PM ET (FOX, ESPN+)
  • June 14 – UFL Championship Game
    • Live from St. Louis, 8 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)

🏀 Basketball

NBA Finals

  • June 5–22
    • The NBA Finals stream across ESPN platforms, with ESPN+ offering expanded highlights, analysis, and companion coverage for subscribers.

WNBA Regular Season

  • June 3 – Dallas vs. Seattle
  • June 22 – Indiana vs. New York
    • WNBA games continue on ESPN+ as the season builds toward All-Star selections.

🏒 Hockey

2025 NHL Draft

  • June 27 – Round 1
  • June 28 – Rounds 2–7
    • Live draft coverage includes in-depth prospect analysis and interviews, with ESPN+ carrying all rounds.

Soccer

The Soccer Tournament (TST)

  • June 4–9
    • ESPN+ streams 27 live matches from WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, featuring both men’s and women’s teams in a 7v7 winner-takes-all format.

🥍 Lacrosse

Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)

  • June 6 – Denver Outlaws vs. Carolina Chaos – 6 PM ET
  • June 7 – Utah Archers vs. Boston Cannons – 1 PM ET
  • June 7 – California Redwoods vs. Carolina Chaos – 7 PM ET
  • Weekly games continue through June 28 on ESPN+ and ABC.

🥊 Combat Sports

UFC

  • June 7 – UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2
    • Main Card: 10 PM ET (ESPN+ PPV) | Prelims: 8 PM ET (ESPN) | Early Prelims: 6 PM ET
  • June 14 – UFC Fight Night: Usman vs. Buckley – 7 PM ET
  • June 21 – UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. – 12 PM ET
  • June 28 – UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira
    • Main Card: 10 PM ET (ESPN+ PPV) | Prelims: 8 PM ET | Early Prelims: 6 PM ET

PFL (Professional Fighters League)

  • June 12 & 20 – World Tournament Semifinals
    • Featuring featherweight and welterweight contenders battling for a spot in the 2025 Finals.

Top Rank Boxing

  • June 7 – Keyshawn Davis (C) vs. Edwin De Los Santos
    • Lightweight clash with major title implications, streaming live on ESPN+.

The Ultimate Fighter Season 32

  • New episodes every Tuesday in June
    • Celebrating 20 years of TUF, this season features Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen as rival coaches.

🏎️ Auto Racing

Formula 1

  • June 15 – Canadian Grand Prix
    • In addition to traditional race coverage, ESPN+ offers live telemetry feeds, on-board cameras, and F1 Academy, Formula 2, Formula 3, and Porsche Supercup events.

Baseball

Savannah Bananas – Banana Ball

  • June 7 – Charlotte, NC – 7 PM ET (ESPN2 & ESPN+)
  • June 28 – Washington, D.C. – 7 PM ET (ESPN2 & ESPN+)
    • This viral baseball phenomenon brings entertainment and athleticism in equal measure.

🎾 Tennis

Wimbledon 2025 (Preview)

  • June 30–July 13
    • ESPN+ will stream full daily coverage from every court in English and Spanish, along with replays, highlight reels, and historic matches.

🏃 College Sports

NCAA Championships

  • Through June 6 – Women’s College World Series
  • June 11–14 – Outdoor Track & Field Championships
  • June 13–23 – Men’s College World Series
    • Over 140 college events will stream live on ESPN+ this month.

🎬 Original Programming

Rabil’s Places – Premiering June 4 (New Episodes Weekly)

Produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, this five-episode series follows lacrosse legend Paul Rabil as he explores the game’s deep roots and cultural evolution. Guests include Bill Belichick, Chris Hogan, Gary Gait, Charlotte North, Mick Foley, and more.

  • Episode 1: Turf Wars (June 4)
  • Episode 2: Slick Sticks (June 11)
  • Episode 3: Crab Cakes and Lacrosse (June 18)
  • Episode 4: Crease and Desist (June 25)

Whether you’re a hardcore MMA fan, a basketball junkie, or a casual viewer looking for something new, ESPN+ in June 2025 offers one of its most diverse and jam-packed schedules yet. Stay tuned for updates and enjoy the ride.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ will offer extensive live sports events, studio shows, and exclusive films in June 2025 with select content available through Disney+.
  • A new Marvel original series premieres alongside the return of an Emmy award-winning program on the platform.
  • Bundled subscribers gain access to a specially curated collection of sports content through both ESPN+ and Disney+ interfaces.

Complete List of New Releases on ESPN+ in June 2025

ESPN+ subscribers can look forward to an action-packed June with major sporting events, exclusive documentaries, and special programming across multiple sports. The streaming service continues to expand its offerings with both live content and on-demand viewing options.

Major Live Games and Scheduled Events

ESPN+ will broadcast several live events throughout June 2025, including key matchups across multiple sports. The month kicks off with the conclusion of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, with games scheduled for June 3, 6, and if necessary, June 9 and 12.

Soccer fans can enjoy the International Champions Cup starting June 15, featuring premier clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich competing in pre-season matches across the United States.

The 2025 College World Series will stream from June 14-25, with all games available exclusively on ESPN+.

Tennis coverage includes weekly ATP and WTA tour events, with the prestigious Queen’s Club Championships (June 16-22) serving as a key Wimbledon warm-up tournament.

UFC Fight Night events are scheduled for June 7 (Las Vegas) and June 21 (Austin), with exclusive preliminary coverage and post-fight analysis.

Exclusive Originals and Documentaries

“The Captain: Beyond the Field” debuts June 5, a four-part follow-up to the acclaimed Derek Jeter documentary, exploring his business ventures and ownership aspirations.

The highly anticipated original series “Playmakers” premieres June 12, profiling innovative coaches who transformed their respective sports through tactical innovations.

“Summer of Golf: 2025” launches June 18, providing behind-the-scenes access to players preparing for the major tournaments ahead.

Two new “30 for 30” documentaries arrive: “Breaking Barriers: The Story of Althea Gibson” (June 10) and “The Miracle Marathon” (June 24), examining the legendary 1984 Olympic women’s marathon.

“In the Arena: The WNBA Revolution” debuts June 15, chronicling the league’s explosive growth and cultural impact through its 30-year history.

Seasonal Highlights and Recaps

ESPN+ will feature comprehensive coverage of the 2025 NBA Draft on June 26-27, including exclusive interviews, analysis, and behind-the-scenes content from the two-day event.

MLB coverage expands with “Baseball Tonight: Midseason Special” on June 30, providing in-depth analysis of the season’s first half and predictions for the pennant races.

Weekly NFL offseason programs continue with “NFL Live: Training Camp Preview” episodes, focusing on team-by-team breakdowns ahead of the 2025 season.

“The Return: Formula 1 Mid-Season Review” premieres June 22, examining the championship battle at the halfway point of the racing calendar.

“EURO 2025: Group Stage Highlights” will compile the best moments from the European Championship’s opening rounds, available June 28.

Upcoming Series and Specials

“Peyton’s Places” returns for its sixth season on June 8, with NFL legend Peyton Manning exploring football history through conversations with the game’s greatest figures.

The popular ESPN series “Detail” adds new episodes focusing on NBA Finals analysis from Kobe Bryant’s archives and fresh baseball breakdowns from Alex Rodriguez.

“Quest for Gold: Paris Edition” debuts June 29, following American athletes in their final preparations for the 2025 Summer Olympics.

“The Point with Serena Williams” premieres June 20, featuring the tennis legend interviewing prominent athletes about competition, mental preparation, and life after sports.

“Inside the Octagon: Championship Roadmap” releases June 13, providing an in-depth preview of upcoming UFC title fights scheduled for the second half of 2025.

Featured Sports and Leagues Streaming in June 2025

ESPN+ delivers an extensive lineup of live sports this June, with major league baseball games, international soccer tournaments, and exclusive SportsCenter analysis. Subscribers can enjoy a diverse range of competitions across multiple sports categories.

MLB and Baseball Coverage

Baseball fans will have plenty to watch on ESPN+ this June with a robust schedule of MLB games and college baseball action. The platform will stream select MLB regular season matchups each week, giving subscribers access to teams battling for playoff positioning as the season heats up.

College baseball continues with NCAA tournament coverage, including regional finals and Super Regional games leading up to the College World Series. ESPN+ will provide exclusive access to many of these matchups not available on traditional ESPN channels.

The Women’s College World Series will be a major highlight, with games streaming through early June. This tournament showcases the best teams in women’s collegiate softball competing for the national championship.

Baseball enthusiasts can also find classic MLB games, analysis shows, and baseball documentaries in the on-demand library. ESPN+ continues to strengthen its baseball offerings with insider content and technical breakdowns from former players and coaches.

Soccer, Basketball, and Additional Sports

Soccer takes center stage in June with international competitions and club tournaments streaming exclusively on ESPN+. The platform will feature matches from prestigious leagues like Bundesliga, LaLiga, and FA Cup, providing soccer fans with high-quality action from around the globe.

Basketball coverage includes WNBA regular season games as the season gains momentum. ESPN+ will stream select matchups featuring star players and championship contenders. Subscribers can also access basketball analysis shows and documentaries.

Additional sports featured in June include:

  • UFC fight nights and exclusive prelims
  • PGA Tour golf coverage
  • Tennis tournaments
  • College lacrosse championships
  • Formula 1 racing analysis

With over 140 college sporting events streaming live in June, ESPN+ continues to be a premier destination for college sports fans. The diverse lineup ensures something for every sports enthusiast.

Spotlight on SportsCenter Segments

ESPN+ subscribers gain access to exclusive SportsCenter segments in June, offering in-depth analysis not available on the regular broadcast. These segments feature renowned ESPN analysts breaking down key storylines across all major sports.

Daily SportsCenter briefings will highlight the previous day’s action and preview upcoming events with expert commentary. The platform will also offer specialized segments focusing on MLB standings, soccer tournaments, and emerging stories across the sports landscape.

SportsCenter’s digital-exclusive content includes extended interviews with athletes and coaches competing in June events. These conversations provide unique insights into strategies and preparation methods.

The popular “SVP’s One Big Thing” and other branded segments will be available on-demand shortly after their initial broadcast. ESPN+ users can access these segments anytime, making it easy to stay informed on breaking sports news and analysis throughout June.

How to Access June 2025 Content on ESPN+

ESPN+ offers multiple ways to access its extensive June 2025 content lineup through various platforms, subscription options, and bundle packages designed to provide flexibility for sports fans.

Streaming Service Platforms and Devices

ESPN+ content is accessible through the enhanced ESPN App on numerous devices, making it convenient for subscribers to watch their favorite sports programming. Viewers can stream June 2025 content in HD on:

  • Living room devices (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast)
  • Mobile phones and tablets (iOS and Android)
  • Computers and laptops via web browsers
  • Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.)
  • Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)

The ESPN App interface features a dedicated ESPN+ section where all June programming is organized by category, making it easy to find live events, original shows, and exclusive content. Users can create personalized watchlists for upcoming June events and receive notifications when their selected content becomes available.

Integration with Hulu and Direct-to-Consumer Access

ESPN+ continues to offer integration options with other Disney-owned platforms in June 2025. Bundled subscribers can access ESPN+ content directly through Disney+, creating a streamlined viewing experience across platforms.

The integration provides several benefits:

  • Single sign-on across Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+
  • Consolidated billing for bundle subscribers
  • Unified content recommendations based on viewing habits

For those preferring direct access, ESPN has launched new direct-to-consumer plans designed to give fans more choice and flexibility. These plans allow standalone access to all ESPN content through the enhanced ESPN App without requiring additional subscriptions.

ESPN’s strategy focuses on providing multiple entry points to its content while maintaining consistent user experiences across platforms.

Subscription Details and Benefits

The newly launched ESPN+ subscription plans offer comprehensive access to June 2025 programming. The primary plan costs $29.99 per month and includes:

Core Benefits:

  • Full access to all live sports events in June 2025
  • Complete library of ESPN+ Originals and studio shows
  • Exclusive content not available on cable ESPN channels
  • Ad-free viewing experience (premium tier)
  • 4K streaming where available

ESPN+ subscribers also gain access to NFL PrimeTime and other exclusive shows like “Man in the Arena: Tom Brady” without additional fees. The service offers flexible payment options including monthly subscriptions or annual plans with savings.

For budget-conscious viewers, ESPN+ can be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu at reduced rates compared to individual subscriptions. New subscribers can often find promotional trial periods to test the service before committing.

Trends and Insights for ESPN+ in 2025

ESPN+ is undergoing significant transformation in 2025 as sports streaming continues to evolve and reshape how fans consume content. The platform is responding to changing viewer habits with new features and expanded offerings.

Cord-Cutting and Sports Streaming Growth

The cord-cutting trend has accelerated dramatically in 2025, with ESPN+ benefiting significantly from the shift away from traditional cable. Sports content has remained one of the last strongholds of cable TV, but that barrier is now crumbling.

ESPN’s new standalone streaming app launching in May 2025 represents a major acknowledgment of this trend. For $29.99 monthly, viewers can access ESPN’s live sports without a cable subscription.

Sports fans increasingly expect on-demand access across multiple devices. The flexibility of watching games on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs has become a necessity rather than a luxury.

Industry data shows sports streaming subscriptions have grown 34% year-over-year, outpacing all other streaming content categories. This surge in sports streaming coincides with declining cable subscriptions, which dropped below 50% of American households for the first time in early 2025.

Subscriber Statistics and Viewer Demographics

ESPN+ has seen remarkable subscriber growth, reaching 28.3 million subscribers by May 2025—a 22% increase from the previous year. The platform’s expansion comes as sports viewing demographics continue to evolve.

The core demographic for ESPN+ has broadened significantly. While the 18-34 male demographic remains strong, female viewership has increased by 41% since 2024. Viewers over 45 now constitute 33% of the subscriber base, showing the platform’s widening appeal.

Geographical distribution reveals interesting patterns:

  • Urban areas: 58% of subscribers
  • Suburban regions: 31% of subscribers
  • Rural communities: 11% of subscribers

The ESPN Insider feature continues to draw subscribers interested in fantasy sports and analysis from experts like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. Engagement data shows subscribers spend an average of 7.3 hours weekly on the platform, with peak usage during major sporting events.

Innovations and Future Developments

ESPN+ is implementing several technological innovations to enhance the viewing experience. Personalization algorithms have been refined to provide customized content recommendations based on viewing history and preferences.

The platform has expanded its interactive features, including multi-angle camera views for select events and enhanced statistics overlays. These innovations help differentiate ESPN+ from traditional broadcasts and competing streaming services.

ESPN’s new bundling strategy offers subscribers more flexibility. Users can bundle ESPN with Disney+ and Hulu for $35.99 monthly, creating a comprehensive entertainment package under the Disney umbrella.

4K streaming capabilities have been expanded to cover more live events, with plans to implement 8K streaming for select premium content by year-end. The platform is also testing augmented reality features that allow viewers to project game statistics into their living rooms.

Mobile viewing enhancements include improved battery optimization and offline viewing options for replays and documentaries, addressing key pain points identified in user feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

ESPN+ continues to expand its content lineup for June 2025 with exciting sports events, original series, documentaries, and special programming. Subscribers can look forward to extensive coverage across multiple sports and entertainment categories.

What new sports events will be available on ESPN+ in June 2025?

ESPN+ will stream several major sporting events in June 2025, including exclusive UFC Fight Nights and the continuation of the MLB regular season. Tennis fans can enjoy coverage of pre-Wimbledon tournaments and qualifying matches.

The platform will also feature expanded WNBA coverage during the middle of their season with several exclusive games not available on traditional ESPN channels.

International soccer matches will be prominent with Copa America group stage games and select international friendlies being available to bundled subscribers on Disney+.

Which original series are set to release on ESPN+ next month?

“Detail” returns with new episodes featuring in-depth analysis from sports legends examining gameplay from the NBA Finals and other major competitions.

Season 3 of “Peyton’s Places” continues with new episodes exploring football history and culture with the legendary quarterback as host.

“Man in the Arena: Tom Brady” will release a special supplementary episode covering Brady’s broadcasting career and post-retirement ventures.

Are there any exclusive documentaries premiering on ESPN+ in June 2025?

A new “30 for 30” documentary exploring the 1995 Seattle Mariners season will debut exclusively on ESPN+ in early June.

“The Captain: Beyond the Field,” a follow-up to the Derek Jeter documentary series, examines his business ventures and ownership aspirations.

ESPN Films will also release “Racing Dreams,” a documentary focusing on young NASCAR hopefuls and their journey through development programs.

Can viewers expect any special live programming on ESPN+ for June 2025?

ESPN+ will feature special live coverage of the College World Series with additional camera angles and interactive features exclusive to the platform.

The PGA Tour will have enhanced coverage of select tournaments with featured groups and additional analysis not available on traditional broadcasts.

Special draft preview shows for both the NBA and NHL will provide in-depth analysis of prospects ahead of their respective drafts in the ESPN streaming service.

What are the latest ESPN+ exclusive shows to be added in June 2025?

“The Point” debuts as a new hockey analysis show featuring former NHL players breaking down playoff performances and upcoming draft prospects.

“Inside the Octagon” premieres as an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at UFC fighters preparing for upcoming bouts throughout the summer.

“Quarterback Camp” returns with a new format focusing on rookie QBs adjusting to the NFL following their first minicamps.

How can I find a complete list of ESPN+ releases for June 2025?

Subscribers can access the complete June 2025 programming schedule directly through the ESPN+ app under the “Coming Soon” section.

The official ESPN+ website provides a regularly updated calendar of upcoming content that can be filtered by sport, type, and date for easy reference.

ESPN+ subscribers can also sign up for personalized notifications about upcoming content in their favorite sports categories through the ESPN+ service settings.

College Sports

Rome High Students Explore College Fair to Prepare for Life After High School

Published

on


Rome High School has been known for academic progress for many years, so much so that when it came to have a college fair on campus recently, more than 50 colleges and universities showed up to recruit, including some schools that were more than 2,500 miles away.

The College fair was hosted in Rome High’s main gym and was full of tables from each college at the event. The colleges set up posters, brochures, and flags to display their mascots and information about their college.

Juniors and seniors came at different times. The seniors showed up first, followed by the juniors. Both groups stayed about 45 minutes. During their time, students walked around the gym, observing the tables set up, talking to the college representatives, and taking pamphlets the colleges offered.

Senior Jayden Perez said he hopes to major in nursing at Emory University, but is also looking at several other state schools, and enjoyed the college fair experience.

“This has given me an opportunity to get excited about college,” he said. “It also is a great opportunity to speak with real college professionals one-on-one.”

Andrew Hunsinger from the University of Vermont said he hopes to broaden the students’ horizons to schools in the Northeast and let them know about their possibilities outside of Rome.

“The main thing I want to bring to a place like Rome High School is to let students know that the Northeast is an option for them,” Hunsinger said. “Especially in Atlanta, a lot of people from the northeast are moving to the south, and we are trying to let students in places like Rome know about the opportunities that are available at universities like Vermont.”

While the students marveled at the number of schools in attendance, what they didn’t see was all the preparation behind the scenes to make the fair happen.

“I have been planning the college fair since June. I wrote a lot of emails and made phone contacts with a lot of these colleges,” Rome High School Counselor Melissa Holland said. “I am also able to reach out via SCOIR (the SCOIR College Network), and there is a way to invite colleges through the site, and I got a lot of interest that way.”

Junior Genesis Uzcategui said something she finds appealing about a college is if they are far from home, so she can go out and see the world for herself while studying ultrasound-radiology, her major.

¨I’ve looked at Warren Wilson, Toccoa Falls, Eckerd, and Florida Southern,” Uzcategui said.

Lilly Blanchard said she is a big Oregon football fan, so that college coming to Rome caught her attention. Some of the colleges that visited Rome really surprised these students.

“I’ve been on a tour at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and I’m applying early to Duke for neuroscience,” she said. She discussed wanting a college with a diverse, inclusive community. She is looking for a college with good education, good sports, and a good vibe.

The fair was a perfect place for many students to get an opportunity to learn about a lot of different schools.

“I don’t know exactly what college I want to go to, but I am interested in UGA or Emory,” Janna Nyguen, a junior, said. “I want to major in Premed. I want to go into the healthcare field.”

While the college fair afforded lots of options for students, Holland said it also aligns with Rome High School’s mission statement. For many students, this was a first-time experience to the exposure of different colleges and the idea of possible majors they can choose.

“The college fair is an extension of our mission statement, which is to make sure students graduate from Rome High School prepared for college or work,” she said. “I want the students to have an open mind and to be able to find out the opportunities that are out there and available to them. Some students may have in mind that they want to go to work, but through this they may see they want to go to college. An event like this offers them the chance to open their minds to other opportunities.”

Written by: Brighton Turner and Selah Marshall



Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

NHL rookies weigh in on NCAA, NHL rule changes, new uniforms

Published

on


ARLINGTON, Va. — Attending the NHLPA rookie showcase puts into sharp relief how truly young these prospects are, especially within the context of hockey history.

Like when you hear Montreal Canadiens prospect David Reinbacher talk about modeling his game after Brock Faber, the Minnesota Wild defenseman who was runner-up for NHL rookie of the year in 2024. Or when Matthew Schaefer, the first overall pick in this year’s draft by the New York Islanders, talks about his coach Patrick Roy’s playing career like … well, like someone born four years (September 2007) after the Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender played his last game, in April 2003.

“Yeah, I mean, I heard he loves to win,” Schaefer said of Roy, who won four Stanley Cups, three playoff MVP awards and 551 games, which is third all time. “I heard he was really good back in the day. Everyone loves talking about him.”

Indeed.

Schaefer recalled going to the offices of Upper Deck, the collectible company that co-hosted the rookie showcase this week, and seeing glimpses of his new coach’s former life as a generational goaltender.

“There was just stuff of him all over. Seeing all the things. Seeing his goalie pads. That’s what really stuck out to me,” he said.

Roy is entering his third season coaching the Islanders and sixth season overall as an NHL coach. Schaefer said he has enjoyed their conversations in the offseason but is ready to see the training camp side of his new coach. “I think he’ll be on the ice doing a lot of drills and pushing us. So, I can’t wait to get pushed,” he said.

Schaefer was selected by the Islanders first overall after 73 games with the OHL Erie Otters over the past two seasons, where he proved to be an elite puck rusher and passer. He signed his NHL entry-level deal in August.

The Islanders haven’t been shy about marketing around Schaefer, including a ticket sales deal that incorporated his No. 48. But he isn’t taking anything for granted, whether it’s making the roster or playing down the lineup in his rookie season.

“You don’t just get stuff given to you, right? You’ve got to earn it. You’ve got to earn your spot. I still have to get my spot on the team and that’s what I’m going into camp to do,” he said.

If he makes the cut, Schaefer would easily be the youngest player on an Islanders roster that features over a dozen players over the age of 30. But Schaefer is comfortable with that age disparity. He has a brother who’s nine years older than him, which he said helps with the communication. But he also won’t hesitate to seek his older teammates’ guidance.

“I think it’s good for me to have an older group where they can help me along the way,” he said. “A lot of guys have been in the league for so long where any sort of advice they give me, I’m going to take it right away.”

That said, he knows there are some expectations for a player his age from his older teammates.

“Maybe I have to babysit [their kids] or something,” he said with a laugh. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind it.”


NCAA eligibility rules a ‘game changer’

Karsen Dorwart admits he’s a little jealous.

The Philadelphia Flyers prospect was signed as an NCAA free agent after playing three years at Michigan State. He grew up in Oregon, and was a huge fan of the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks.

“I always wanted to play in Portland. Growing up, watching those guys. It was just kind of decided it wasn’t the right path for me,” he said. “But if I was able to do both, I’m sure I would’ve.”

For decades, that opportunity wasn’t available to young players like Dorwart. The NCAA deemed anyone who played in the Canadian Hockey League ineligible for college hockey, because those junior leagues have players who have signed professional contracts with NHL teams, and because CHL players earned a monthly stipend.

That all changed last November when the NCAA Division I council voted to make CHL players eligible for NCAA Division I hockey starting this season. The council ruled players can compete in the CHL — comprising the WHL, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League — without jeopardizing their NCAA Division I hockey eligibility, provided they aren’t “paid more than actual and necessary expenses as part of that participation.”

Players like Dorwart no longer had the binary choice of Canadian junior hockey or NCAA hockey. That has already led to one landscape-shifting moment in college hockey as Gavin McKenna — the consensus choice for first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft — left the WHL Medicine Hat Tigers after three seasons to sign with Penn State University on an NIL deal “in the ballpark” of $700,000, a source told ESPN.

play

1:08

Top NHL prospect Gavin McKenna announces PSU commitment

Gavin McKenna joins “SportsCenter” to announce his official commitment to Penn State University.

“A guy like Gavin McKenna making that jump to go play college is a big step,” said Minnesota Wild defenseman Zeev Buium, who played at the University of Denver. “I think everyone gets better. You’re getting guys from everywhere and you can get anybody you want now. I just think it makes all of college hockey better.”

Toronto Maple Leafs defensive prospect Ben Danford said the NCAA’s eligibility ruling “changed the game for sure” for both college hockey and the CHL, where he played for the Oshawa Generals. “We’ll have to see what happens. I feel like maybe the OHL is going to become a bit younger,” he said.

Overall, the NHL prospects were most intrigued by the migration of players from Canadian juniors to the NCAA.

“I think NCAA is a hard league. It’s a physical league. So I’m really excited to see how those guys can adapt to it,” said St. Louis Blues forward Jimmy Snuggerud, who attended the University of Minnesota.

Dorwart thinks the eligibility rule change is great for NCAA hockey — even if for him it might have meant more time as a Winterhawk in Portland than as a Spartan at Michigan State.

“You’re getting all the best players in college now. I’ve got to meet some of the new CHL guys at Michigan State, and they’re super pumped and it’s just going to be great for everyone’s development,” he said. “But it’s something I’m jealous of. I think it would’ve been fun to play in my hometown growing up.”


The AHL ’19-year-old’ rule

Another significant change to player development is on the horizon — if the NHL and CHL can agree to it.

In the new NHL and NHLPA collective bargaining agreement, there is a provision for teams to loan one 19-year-old player to their AHL farm team without the requirement of offering that player back to their Canadian junior team first.

The current rules state that a player drafted from the CHL must be at least 20 years old or have played at least four full seasons in the CHL to be eligible for the AHL.

The new CBA kicks in next September. While other rule changes were fast-tracked for this season, the earliest the “19-year-old” rule would be implemented is the 2026-27 season, according to an NHL source. Again, that’s pending the NHL and CHL agreeing to amend the “mandatory return rule” for players.

“Honestly, I’ve been really curious about that rule,” said Berkly Catton, a 19-year-old center prospect for the Seattle Kraken who played for the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs. “Honestly, as of right now, all I can really do is go to camp, have a good camp and kind of force their hand. But that AHL rule would be really cool.”

Zayne Parekh of the Calgary Flames is happy that the AHL rule hasn’t been fast-tracked for this season.

Parekh, 19, is considered the Flames’ top prospect, and one of the better offensive defensemen on the rise in the NHL. He made his NHL debut at the end of last season, scoring a goal in his only game. The way he sees it, having the “mandatory return rule” puts a pressure point on Calgary to add him to this season’s roster.

“I think it’s nice not having it because they’re really going to give me a good look to make the NHL team,” he said. “Maybe it benefits me, maybe it doesn’t, but it all depends on my camp. The opportunity is there. It’s just about taking advantage of it.”

Parekh is exactly the kind of prospect the NHL is considering when seeking to change the “mandatory return rule.” He had 107 points in 61 games for the Saginaw Spirit last season, posting back-to-back 33-goal campaigns. Even if the Flames believe he’s not ready for a regular role in the NHL, having him dominate another season in juniors wouldn’t benefit him as much as playing against professional talent in the AHL.

“Sometimes you’ve done what you’re supposed to do in junior. That kind of middle ground could be nice if you need to develop a little bit more,” Catton said.

The Seattle prospect was reminded of the significant leap in competition when he attended Kraken training camp last season, which was one reason he focused on strength training in the offseason.

“These guys are men. It’s not a 16-year-old kid going into a puck battle. It’s a guy with kids and stuff, but you got to come out with the puck somehow,” Catton said.


NHL fit check

Every year, the NHLPA rookie showcase offers a first glimpse at NHL uniform redesigns for the upcoming season.

Snuggerud wore the new St. Louis Blues uniform, which brings back the original color scheme from their 1967 sweaters.

“They’re very blue,” Snuggerud said.

(Well, they are the Blues.)

Meanwhile, Tij Iginla was decked out in the rechristened Utah Mammoth’s new home uniform sporting their official team colors: Rock Black, Mountain Blue and Salt White. Iginla said he’s fond of the former Utah Hockey Club’s new logo, which combines a local mountain range, a mammoth head and U-shaped tusks.

“I really like it. I think it’s a super kind of fierce logo. One of the coolest ones in the league,” said Iginla, who was drafted sixth overall in 2024. “So super, super cool to be wearing it for the first time.”

Iginla followed the branding drama for his team over the past year, including when everyone around the NHL believed the team would be called the Utah Yeti.

“I thought Yeti would’ve been cool, but I like them both. I don’t think they could have went wrong,” he said. “I’m happy with the Mammoth.”


Designer Duck

Beckett Sennecke, 19, was drafted third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2024. The winger played last season for the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, tallying 86 points in 56 games.

He’s on track to become an NHL player. Perhaps then he’ll be the one who gets recognized at the airport instead of his mother.

Sennecke is the son of Candice Olson. In 1994, after playing for the Canadian national volleyball team, Olson began her own interior design firm in Toronto. Seven years later, she joined the booming home improvement television movement with her show “Divine Design,” which aired on the W Network in Canada and HGTV in the U.S. She would go on to host other shows and serve as a judge on HGTV’s reality competition show “Design Star” through 2011.

“She had a TV show back in the day called ‘Candice Tells All’ or something. She went in and redid the interior of houses and then made a TV show about it. I guess it was pretty popular back in the day,” Sennecke said.

Her fame as an HGTV star predated Sennecke’s formative years. Hence, his friends weren’t really cognizant that he had a celebrity mom.

“No, it was an older show. It was more like people at the airport coming up to her and are like, ‘Oh, it’s Candice!’ She gets that probably once or twice a year now,” he said.

Sennecke said he couldn’t help but have an aesthetically pleasing house while growing up: His father is an architect.

“It’s like a double whammy. If I don’t have a nice house … I don’t know,” he said. “But yeah, they did a good job for sure.”

So along with the pressure of making the NHL one day, there’s the added pressure of eventually buying his first house as the son of an architect and a former “Design Star” judge.

“I’m sure my mom will be all over the interior and stuff,” he said. “Especially the lighting. That’s her biggest thing. Whenever there’s bad lightning, she’s always disgusted with it.”





Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

No. 7 Wake Forest Set to Host Lipscomb

Published

on

No. 7 Wake Forest Set to Host Lipscomb

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Looking to continue its unbeaten start to the 2025 campaign, the No. 7-ranked Wake Forest men’s soccer team is set to host Lipscomb at Spry Stadium Friday evening.

The match against the Bisons is slated for 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra with live stats available here.

Fan Information
Parking is encouraged in lots A, B, Q, W1 & W2. A complete parking map of campus is here.

Gates open one hour prior to kickoff for all home matches. 

Season Ticket Information
2025 Wake Forest soccer season and single game tickets are on-sale now giving fans the opportunity to witness The Best Fan Experience In North Carolina from a number of unique seating options!

Adult season tickets start as low as $70 for general admission and $50 for youth while reserved chairbacks are $130 for fans and $110 for Wake Forest University faculty and staff. 

Accessibility Information
Wake Forest Athletics strives to provide content at games, social media and on GoDeacs.com that is accessible to all people. In the continued effort to improve accessibility of the technology and digital content at tomorrow’s game, fans can access closed captions here for the public address announcer and in-venue content. 

Wake Forest Athletics is  always open to learning about new ideas and ways we can improve. Please report accessibility challenges, identify content you find inaccessible, or give us general feedback at pantagw@wfu.edu. 

Quick Notes

  • Wake Forest has only allowed one goal this campaign, which is tied for the fewest goals allowed through three games in the Muuss-era.
    • Goalkeeper Jonah Mednard has conceded just once in his career with 287 total minutes in goal with two clean sheets. He holds a .889 save percentage and a .32 goals-against average.
  • Wake Forest will look to start unbeaten through four matches for the sixth time under Muuss and for the first time since 2023.
  • This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
  • The Demon Deacons enter the contest unbeaten in their last 15 matches at Spry Stadium with wins in seven of the last eight.
    • The Deacs hold a 11-0-4 home record dating back to Aug. 25 of last year.
    • Additionally, the Demon Deacons have yet to trail this season as they have led for 93 minutes.
  • All four of the Deacs’ goals to open the season have come from four different players as Ryan Belal, Jeffrey White, Jose Perez and Tate Lorentz have all opened their accounts on the year.
  • Earlier this week, the Demon Deacons landed No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches’ preseason poll while also holding No. 6 spot in the TopDrawerSoccer College Soccer News polls.
  • Wake Forest was picked to finish second in the ACC preseason poll and held the most first-place votes (5).

Scouting the Bisons

  • Lipscomb is coming off of its first win of the campaign as it took down Mercer, 2-0, at home on Sunday and currently holds a 1-1-1 record headed into Sunday.
    • Redshirt junior midfielder Levi Jones came off the bench and scored in the 68th and 75th minutes to defeat the Bears.
    • Jones leads the team with five points as he also notched an assist on the 77th-minute equalizer against Memphis in the opener.
  • The Bisons only bring back 18 percent (4-of-22) of their goal production from last season that saw Lipscomb post a 3-8-5 (1-4-2 ASUN) record.
    • Only one returning player, Tyler Stinnett, scored multiple goals last season (two).
  • The squad is made up of 13 newcomers to the squad with eight freshmen.
  • The Bisons were picked to finish fifth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll and received one first place vote.
  • One of the newcomers is starting goalkeeper Alex Kara, who transferred in after two seasons with Indiana.
    • He made six saves against Memphis and five against USF before earning his first-career clean sheet last time out against Mercer.

Last Time Out (vs. St. John’s)

  • The No. 5 Wake Forest men’s soccer team remained unbeaten in 2025 as it battled St. John’s to a 0-0 draw Sunday evening at Spry Stadium.
  • Wake Forest came out dominating play throughout the opening stages of the match and held possession for 65 percent of the first half. However, the two sides went into the halftime break knotted at 0-0 without either team able to score by the final whistle. 
  • In the 75th minute, it looked as if the Demon Deacons had taken a 1-0 lead off a Jeffrey White goal following a set piece just outside of the 18, but the decision was overruled by VAR. 
  • In goal, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Jonah Mednard recorded his second-consecutive clean sheet. Despite only tallying one save, he snuffed out multiple potential chances for the visitors and limited the danger.
  • For the third-consecutive match, Wake Forest went with a starting backline of junior Travis Smith, Jr., sophomores Mason Sullivan and Amoni Thomas, and graduate captain Cristian Escribano. The Demon Deacon defense excelled in limiting opportunities for the visitors and only allowed one shot on goal over the 90 minutes. 
  • This marked the second-straight contest in which the Deacs allowed just one shot on frame as Wake Forest has outshot opponents 42-to-30 through the first three matches of the season.
  • Additionally, this marks the first time since Oct. 1-12 (four matches) of last year that the Demon Deacons recorded consecutive clean sheets.
  • With the draw, the Demon Deacons are now unbeaten in their last 15 matches at Spry Stadium. Overall, the Deacs hold a 11-0-4 home record dating back to Aug. 25 of last year. 

Battle Tested

  • The Demon Deacons face one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season due to the strength of the ACC.
  • Wake Forest has six opponents on the schedule that are currently ranked inside the top 20, including No. 1 Stanford, No. 3 Clemson and No. 10 Pitt.
  • Of note, the ACC holds six spots in the top 10 of the United Soccer Coaches poll and seven in the top 15.

National Leader In Wins 

  • Named the fourth head coach in program history prior to the start of the 2015 season, Bobby Muuss‘ Demon Deacon squads have built on the longstanding and rich 45-year history of the program. 
  • Since 2015, Wake Forest’s 154 total wins ranks No. 1 nationally, seven more than any program and 11 more than any other ACC program. During that span, Wake Forest is also joined only by Indiana as the only Division I programs to have won at least 10 matches every season. 
  • Additionally, Wake Forest and Indiana are the only two programs of the 211 programs nationally to hold double-digit NCAA Tournament appearance streaks.
  • Wake Forest also leads the nation in wins over the last quarter-century (359), 10 more than second-most Maryland.

Total Wins Since 2015 

Rank Team Total Wins Since ’15
1. Wake Forest 154
2. Indiana 148
3. Clemson 143
4. Georgetown  134
5. Stanford 130

Consecutive Seasons With 10+ Victories

Rank Team Consecutive seasons with 10+ wins
1. Wake Forest 13
2. Indiana 11
3. Georgetown 8
T4. Clemson, Missouri State, Marshall 6
7. Denver, Duke 4

The Spry Advantage

  • Since Muuss’ arrival in 2015, Wake Forest ranks No. 1 nationally in home wins (113), 17 more than any other program nationally. 
  • Over the last 10 seasons, the Deacs have won at least eight of their matches at Spry Stadium including a double-digit win total seven of those seasons. 
  • Wake Forest’s home winning percentage of 82.41 percent since 2015 also ranks third nationally, behind only Indiana and Denver. 

Home Wins Since 2015 

Rank Team Total Home Wins Since ’15
1. Wake Forest 113
T2. Clemson 96
T2. Indiana 96
4. Virginia 89
5. Georgetown 85
 

Home Winning Percentage Since 2015 

Rank Team Home Winning Percentage Since ’15
1. Indiana 84.00%
2. Denver 82.99%
3. Wake Forest 82.41%
4. Clemson 79.92%
5. Missouri State 79.89%

Consistent Threat In The Toughest Conference In The Country 

  • Recognized annually as the toughest soccer conference in the country from top to bottom, the ACC has placed the most teams in the NCAA Tournament each of the last 12 seasons and has had at least five teams earn a bid 24-straight seasons.
  • During the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the ACC earned nine bids including seven national seeds. 
  • Wake Forest has received an NCAA Tournament bid 14-straight seasons, eight years more than any other ACC program. 
Rank Team Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances
1. Wake Forest 14
T2. Clemson & Pitt 6
4. North Carolina 5
5. Duke 4
T6. Virginia, Stanford & SMU 3

Looking Ahead

  • After Friday night’s match, Wake Forest will return to Spry Stadium for the last of its five-match home stand to open the season as it takes on Campbell on Tuesday night.
    • The Demon Deacons will open conference play on the road at North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 12.
  • The match against the Camels is slated for 6 p.m. and will stream live on ACCNX.
  • This will mark the fifth-ever meeting between the two programs with the Demon Deacons leading the series, 4-0-0.
Continue Reading

College Sports

Pitaro: ESPN willing to listen if other leagues seek to replicate NFL deal

Published

on


ESPN has not ruled out future deals like the arrangement it recently struck with the NFL, but they would have to “make business sense,” network chairman Jimmy Pitaro said at an event Thursday.

Speaking at the BofA 2025 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference, Pitaro said that ESPN’s deal with the NFL to acquire NFL Network and other assets in exchange for an equity stake was “unique” and occurred “at a unique moment in time.”

“Whether we would ever try to replicate this, I would say it’d have to make business sense … we’re always interested in ways to advance the business and, just as importantly, ways to serve the sports fan,” Pitaro said, “and so if someone comes to us and presents a compelling opportunity, we’re of course going to listen.”

Although the NFL would be a stakeholder in ESPN, the league is keeping its equity interests separate from how it thinks about distribution or the utilization of its rights. NFL EVP/media distribution Hans Schroeder said this week that the league will maintain “an arm’s length” in such negotiations. “It’s going to be fascinating to see what the NFL does with their opt out,” Pitaro said. “I think you know this, but in 2029, they have an opt out, and a year later, they have an opt out with us, so we’ll see how that plays out.”

Pitaro touted the network’s portfolio as the best in its history, but said it is never satisfied and will look at what makes sense for the business. When asked about a potential NFL international package, he said the network is “always interested in growing our business” and would “be interested in having the conversation.”

Beyond the NFL, ESPN and Major League Baseball were reported by The Wall Street Journal to be “closing in” on a three-year agreement worth $1.65 billion that would grant the company rights to include MLB.TV within the ESPN DTC streaming service, along with some local, in-market rights and a national package of games. Pitaro did not announce the completion of an agreement, but said he expects that the deals will “close relatively soon.” ESPN and MLB had agreed to a mutual opt out of their existing seven-year contract before the season, and the two entities have had conversations that Pitaro described as “healthy” and “positive.”

Over the last several years, ESPN has inked various media rights deals that have reportedly resulted in augmented fees being paid to sports leagues. The agreement with the NBA marks an increase of 75% in the annual media rights fee, moving to a reported $2.45 billion from $1.4 billion per year. The network also reached an extension of its media rights agreement with the College Football Playoff, signed a 10-year deal to broadcast SEC college football and men’s basketball games and reached a new eight-year agreement for NCAA championships.

“You’ve seen significant increases over the past several years,” Pitaro said. “I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t know how sustainable this type of growth is. Again, you’re seeing big tech operate with discipline, which I think even a few years ago, a lot of people did not expect. I think a lot of people expected the big tech players to spend more aggressively, bid more aggressively than they have. But I’m not sure how we’re going to continue to see significant increases when there’s not a lot on the marketplace.”



Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

What is the Fastest Tennis Serve of All Time?

Published

on

What is the Fastest Tennis Serve of All Time?

In this countdown, we look back at the fastest recorded tennis serves of all time.

Service speed remains a dominant feature in the modern game and can become a player’s trump card out on the court.

With players getting stronger and cutting-edge technology in tennis racquets making leaps and bounds, serves today are faster than ever.

We take a look at the fastest serves ever recorded by men and women out on the tennis court.

Men’s fastest tennis serve

Sam Groth – 263.4kph (163.7mph.)

Australian Sam Groth has the honour of having the fastest recorded tennis serve of all time.

The 6ft 4 Australian set the record during an ATP Open Challenger match in Busan, South Korea, in 2012 against Belarusian tennis player Uladzimir Ignatik.

Groths serve clocks in at a staggering 263.4kph (163.7mph).

Honorable mentions

Second Fastest Recorded Serve in Tennis

Albano Olivetti – 257.5 kph (160mph)

Frenchman Albano Olivetti holds the record for the second-fastest serve ever recorded. The French tennis pro also remains the second person to break the 160mph serve speed barrier.

Olivetti’s serve came in 2012 at the challenger level during the Internazionali Trofeo Lame Perrel–Faip.

Albano Olivetti

Albano Olivetti holds the second-fastest record serve on the tour.

Third Fastest Recorded Serve in Tennis

John Isner – 253 kph (157.2 mph).

It would be hard not to include the American giant John Isner in this list. The 6ft 10 American is known best for his monster serves, which are delivered consistently throughout.

His monstrous serve is thanks in part to his stature. Isner clocks in as the third-tallest tennis player on the ATP behind the Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic and American young gun Reilly Opelka (both 6ft 11 inches). Ivo Karlovic currently holds the record for the fourth fastest recorded tennis serve.

Isner currently holds the third fastest serve in tennis. The Americans serve, clocking in at 253 kph (157.2 mph) during a 2016 Davis Cup tie against Bernard Tomic.

John Isner also holds the record for playing the longest match in Grand Slam history against Nicolas Mahut. During Wimbledon 2010, Isner beat Mahut in 5 sets: 6–4, 3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 70–68. The match lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes.

Isner’s serve is the fastest recorded serve in tennis, recognised by the ATP.

Fastest Tennis Serve Female

Georgina García Pérez – 220kph (136.7 mph)

Spaniard Georgina Garcia Perez holds the record for the fastest recorded tennis serve by a woman.

Perez clocked a serve of 200kph (136.7 mph) during the Hungarian Ladies Open in 2018.

Georgina Garcia Perez

Georgina Garcia Perez holds the record for the fastest serve by a female.

Why is it nearly impossible to hit a 160 mph tennis serve?

A considered calculation of stature, technique, coaching, mechanics and good old practice is said to make the perfect concoction for a fast serve.

A direct correlation has been proven between the height of a player and power during a serve. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the top servers of the game are all giants by nature.

The trajectory of a serve remains ever important. Players who are 6ft 7 or above have the ability to hit the ball with a downward trajectory, whereas those who are under that height are unable to do so.

Modern technology has also greatly aided in the incremental increase of server power over time. The changeover from wooden rackets to today’s modern racket is a huge factor in determining serve power. Advancements in string technology and racket materials also play a huge part in determining a fast serve.

Other mitigating factors include court conditions. Faster serves are much more likely to happen on a hard court and during hotter temperatures, where there is less resistance to air density, translating to faster speeds.

When you compare the fastest tennis serve with other sports, you can see how fast it is.

Fastest Football shot – 114 mph by David Hirst in 1996
Fastest Baseball pitch – 105.1 mph by Aroldis Chapman in 2010
Fastest Cricket Bowling speed – 100.2 mph by Shoaib Akhtar in 2003

What is the average tennis serve speed?

The average tennis serve speed differs between both men and women, as well as between pros and amateurs. Data shows us that for professional male tennis players, the average tennis serve speed is approximately 114 mph (on their first serve) and 93 mph (on their second serve).

For women, the average tennis serve speed clocks in at 98 mph (on their first serve) and 82 mph (on their second serve).

This data was recorded between 2002-2013, so bear in mind the average speeds have likely increased by a few miles per hour in the modern era, as racquet technology and athletes continue to evolve and adapt within the sport.

Check out Wired’s video, which covers the topic more in-depth.

Fancy writing for us: Apply to become a Sports Writer at the Sporting Ferret

If you liked this article, then why not check out:

Continue Reading

College Sports

No. 24 Pilots Welcome No. 17 Roos to Merlo Field for Ranked Matchup

Published

on

No. 24 Pilots Welcome No. 17 Roos to Merlo Field for Ranked Matchup

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Pilots Men’s Soccer, ranked 24th in the nation, is ready for their first ranked matchup of the season against the Kansas City Roos. The two teams are set to play on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. here at Merlo Field.
 
Tickets for Friday’s game are available at PortlandPilots.com/Tickets. A live stream is also available on ESPN+. Check PortlandPilots.com for links to the live stream and live stats.
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: #17/19/RV Kansas City Roos (2-0-2, 0-0-0 Summit)
Day: Friday
Date: Sept. 5, 2025
Time: 7 PM
Place: Portland, Ore.
Pitch: Merlo Field
Video: ESPN+
Stats: PortlandPilots.com
 
POR vs. UMKC
Overall Series: 0-0-0
H: 0-0-0 • A: 0-0-0 • N: 0-0-0
Last: N/A
 
PEEK INTO THE PORT

  • The Pilots are a perfect 4-0 on the year, outscoring opponents 17-0 in these first four games. They are now ranked 24th nationally.
  • They most recently earned a road win over the Wisconsin Badgers 1-0, their eighth win over a Big Ten team and 18th against a Power Four team since Nick Carlin-Voigt took over as head coach in 2016. They also beat the Siena Saints last week 4-0.
  • David Ajagbe scored the game-winning goal for the Pilots against the Badgers. Highfield scored two goals against the Saints and Waggoner added another.
  • The Pilots lead the nation in 10 different categories, including goals (17), assists (21), points (55), goals-against average (.000), shutout percentage (1.000), save percentage (1.000), points per game (13.75), goal differential (17) and assists per game (5.25)
  • Several players are near the top of the nation statistically.
  • Diego Rosas is tied with 10 players for first in the nation in assists at four. He posted two assists against Siena on Friday.
  • David Ajagbe and Nicholas Dunbar also sit at second in the conference and 13th nationally in assists at three. Ajagbe’s seven points rank second in the WCC and 18th nationally.
  • Joe Highfield is one of the top scorers in the nation, sitting at third in points (11), fifth in goals (four) and 11th in assists (three).
  • Miguel-Angel Hernandez has yet to allow a goal in his three starts for Portland. He’s one of 14 players to not allow a goal.
  • Portland is one of five teams to have started the season 4-0-0 and are the only team in the nation to have started 4-0-0 with four straight shutouts.
  • Portland’s 4-0 start is the first time since 1988. It’s also the first time they’ve posted four straight shutouts to start a season since that year.
  • The Pilots hold a 14-game unbeaten streak that stretches back to last season.
  • This year, they were picked to finish third in the 2025 West Coast Conference Preseason Poll, with forward Joe Highfield and midfielder Efetobo Aror each making the preseason team.
  • Highfield was the first Pilot to make the All-WCC First Team and the All-WCC Freshman Team in the same season since Benji Michel in 2016, scoring seven goals and adding three assists. His four goals and three assists against WCC opponents were the second most in the conference.
  • Aror was drafted in the first round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft this past year by the Colorado Rapids but chose to return. The WCC Freshman of the Year in 2023, he played in 10 matches with six starts, recording a goal and assist.
  • Aror, along with Pilot newcomer David Ajagbe, was also named to the TopDrawerSoccer Top 100 players in the preseason, slotting in at 52nd. Ajagbe ranks 99th on the list.
  • Ajagbe scored seven goals and added two assists with the Ohio State Buckeyes last season, who earned the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament last year. Ajagbe made the All-Big Ten Freshman team and the TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI Second Team.
  • Last season, the Pilots were a dynamic offensive team, ranking second in the WCC in goals per game (1.78), total assists (44), total points (108), points per game (6.00) and assists per game (2.44). Their 2.44 assists per game ranked ninth nationally while their assist total ranked 14th.
  • The Pilots also were in the top 50 nationally in points per game, (21st), total points (27th), goals per game (44th) and total goals (32, 46th).
  • The Pilots return 16 players from last year’s roster while welcoming 16 newcomers. The incoming class ranks fifth nationally on TopDrawerSoccer.
  • Of the 16 returners, Portland returns three players who earned All-WCC honors: Highfield, Miguel-Angel Hernandez (Second Team) and Diego Rosas (Honorable Mention).
  • Hernandez played in seven matches last year, posting shutouts in three of those matches. 
  • Rosas led the Pilots in assists in his second season with the Pilots, posting eight assists. He was the third Pilot since 2017 to post at least three assists in a game, doing so against the LMU Lions.
  • Nick Carlin-Voigt enters his 10th year as head coach of the Pilots. He has posted a 92-46-21 record during his tenure, having led Portland to the NCAA Tournament five times during that span.
  • Carlin-Voigt was at the helm when the Pilots advanced to the Elite Eight in 2022, their first appearance that deep in the tournament since 1995.

ABOUT THE ROOS

  • The Kansas City Roos are 2-0-2 on the year, most recently tying the Saint Mary’s Gaels 1-1 and beating the Northern Illinois Huskies 2-1.
  • They are currently receiving votes in the latest Top 25 poll from United Soccer Coaches. They are 17th in the College Soccer News Poll and 19th in TopDrawerSoccer’s poll.
  • The Roos were 14-5-3 overall and 5-2-1 in Summit league play. They won the Summit League Championship over the Denver Pioneers and then advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
  • The Roos were picked second in the Summit League Preseason Poll, with Bryson Gosch and Jeremy Francou making the preseason team.
  • Gosch tallied 1,776 minutes last year, earning honorable mention as well as All-Tournament honors. He scored the equalizing goal in the Summit League Championship against Denver.
  • Francou scored four goals last year for Kansas City, including a goal in their first-round tournament game against the Saint Louis Bilikens.
  • Ryan Pore is in his sixth year at the helm of the Roos. He is 35-33-22 in his six seasons with Kansas City.

Get Your Tickets Now!
Secure your spot now for any upcoming Portland Pilots ticketed home event by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets or by downloading the Portland Pilots App.  For group and fan experience package information, email pilotsboxoffice@up.edu.

Donate Today 
Fans interested in making a contribution to University of Portland Athletics can do so by clicking here. Your gift helps our over 300 student-athletes compete at the highest level – on and off the field – in the rapidly changing world of intercollegiate athletics. All gifts to Pilot Athletics are 100% tax deductible.

Follow Along With the Action
Get the latest news and information about your favorite University of Portland athletic programs by visiting PortlandPilots.com. You can also follow along for the most dynamic coverage and team-centric content by following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram.
 

Print Friendly Version
Continue Reading
Rec Sports7 minutes ago

Makers’ Market and Youth Biz Fair slated for weekend

Sports10 minutes ago

No. 3 Volleyball Opens NCAA Tournament Versus Campbell – Texas A&M Athletics

Rec Sports15 minutes ago

PJUSD AWARDED GRANT TO EXPAND INCLUSIVE ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES | Patterson Irrigator

Rec Sports23 minutes ago

Roundup of news from Hull’s wide world of sports — The Hull Times

Sports26 minutes ago

Volleyball Recaps – December 4

Rec Sports31 minutes ago

Maccabi USA Rugby Looking for U19 Players

Rec Sports39 minutes ago

Studio West 117 Fieldhouse, set to close, is millions in debt — in receivership

Technology40 minutes ago

Animoca Brands Co-Founder & Executive Chairman Yat Siu to Speak at Global Blockchain Show & Global Games Show Abu Dhabi

NIL41 minutes ago

Some thoughts on the Cookie Man and college football’s funniest coaching search so far

Sports42 minutes ago

Women’s Volleyball Opens NCAA Tournament Against USF on Friday – Penn State

Rec Sports47 minutes ago

‘Like a second family’: Providence youth wrestling program kicks off winter season

Rec Sports55 minutes ago

Youth soccer at a crossroads: City weighs whether to keep or relocate Ybor Alvarez fields

Sports59 minutes ago

Toledo Falls in First Round of NCAA Tournament to Indiana, 3-0

Motorsports60 minutes ago

NASCAR antitrust trial: Bob Jenkins testifies about $100M loss and ‘insulting’ charter deal

Rec Sports1 hour ago

Chery Partners with 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, Taking Center Stage in Global Sports with Passion and Aspiration

Most Viewed Posts

Trending