5 Reasons Marian University Men's Soccer Is The Crossroads League Team To Watch: 2025 Season Breakdown

The Marian University Men's Soccer program has firmly established itself as a top-tier contender in the competitive National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) landscape, with the 2025 season serving as a major statement of intent. As of late December 2025, the Knights have cemented their position as a program on the rise, following a successful campaign that saw them earn multiple prestigious individual and team honors. The blend of experienced coaching, phenomenal individual talent, and a deep roster has Marian poised for even greater success in the upcoming seasons. The 2025 season was defined by a formidable offense and a historic run in the Crossroads League (CL), highlighting the team's ability to compete with the nation's best. The Knights finished the season with an impressive overall record of 9-6-4 and a strong 4-3-2 record within the demanding Crossroads League. This detailed analysis dives into the key factors, players, and historical context that make Marian University Men's Soccer one of the most exciting programs in college athletics today.

The Rise of the Knights: 2025 Season Review and Standout Statistics

The 2025 campaign for the Marian University Knights was a testament to their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. The team's overall winning percentage stood at a respectable .579, a mark of consistency against a challenging schedule. The Knights' season concluded in the Crossroads League Tournament Quarterfinals, where they fell in a tough battle to the No. 20 ranked Grace College Lancers. Despite the early exit from the tournament, the team demonstrated significant growth throughout the year, especially in their ability to secure results at home, maintaining an impressive home record of 7-0-1.

Key 2025 Team Statistics

• Overall Record: 9-6-4
• Crossroads League Record: 4-3-2
• Total Goals Scored: 36
• Goals Per Game: 1.89
• Home Record: 7-0-1

The offensive output was driven by a dynamic attacking unit, which averaged nearly two goals per game. This attacking philosophy, combined with a strong defensive effort, allowed the Knights to consistently challenge their opponents, setting the stage for a promising future in the NAIA.

Meet the Game-Changers: Marian's 2025 All-Crossroads League Honorees

The true measure of the Marian Men's Soccer program's success in 2025 came from the individual accolades earned by its players. The Knights secured Five All-Crossroads League Honors, showcasing the depth of talent on the roster. The most significant award went to Gustavo Nunes, who was named the Crossroads League Offensive Player of the Year. Nunes' exceptional performance cemented him as one of the premier attacking threats in the entire league and earned him a spot on the All-Crossroads League First Team. His ability to create and finish chances was instrumental to the team's success throughout the season. Joining Nunes on the All-Crossroads League First Team was defender Matthew Loo. Loo's inclusion highlights the strength of the Marian backline, providing the necessary stability for the team's high-octane offense to flourish. His defensive leadership was a critical component of the team's successful season. The team also saw other key players contribute significantly to the offensive and defensive statistics. Midfielder Samuel Wehaus was a major contributor to the attack, racking up 21 points from 13 goals and 9 assists, making him one of the team's statistical leaders. The contributions of these star players, along with others like Magalhaes (also with 21 points), demonstrate the high level of individual skill being developed within the program. Furthermore, the program also celebrated three players earning College Sport Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Honors in 2025, emphasizing the commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

A New Era Under Coach James Jenkins and Program History

The current success of the Marian University Men's Soccer program is deeply tied to the leadership of Head Coach James Jenkins. Jenkins was officially promoted to the role of Head Men's Soccer Coach after serving as the Interim Head Coach, a decision that solidified the direction of the program. He first returned to the Indianapolis campus in January 2023 as an assistant coach, bringing a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the Knights. Coach Jenkins is supported by Assistant Coach and DT Head Coach Romaric Berneron.

Marian Men's Soccer Program Milestones

The recent achievements build upon a solid, if historically intermittent, foundation of success. The Knights have a history of competing for conference titles, dating back to their time in the Mid-Central Conference (MCC), which is now the Crossroads League.

• First-Ever NAIA National Tournament Appearance: The program made history in the 2024 season by earning its first-ever bid to the NAIA National Tournament. Their run was a landmark achievement, though it ended in a tough double-overtime loss.
• MCC Regular Season Championship: The team secured a co-regular season championship in 1998.
• MCC Tournament Championship: The Knights captured a conference tournament championship in 2005.

This historical context, combined with the recent NAIA tournament appearance and the standout 2025 season under Coach Jenkins, signals a new, sustained period of competitiveness for the Marian soccer program.

The Competitive Landscape: The Crossroads League Challenge

The Marian Knights compete in the highly competitive Crossroads League, an NAIA conference known for its strong soccer programs. The league includes perennial rivals and tough opponents, such as Grace College, Indiana Wesleyan University, Huntington University, Goshen College, and Bethel University. The 2025 season proved just how challenging the conference is, with the Knights finishing fourth in the league standings. Competing against teams like Grace College, who were ranked No. 20 nationally, provides the Marian players with a consistent level of high-stakes, high-quality competition that prepares them for the national stage. The close contest in the CL Quarterfinals against the Lancers, despite the loss, underscored the narrow margin between the top teams in the conference. The goal for the upcoming 2026-2027 season will be to translate their regular-season success into a deeper run in the Crossroads League Tournament and a return to the NAIA National Tournament.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect from the Knights in the Future

With a strong core of talent, including the reigning Crossroads League Offensive Player of the Year, Gustavo Nunes, and a committed coaching staff led by James Jenkins, the future of Marian University Men's Soccer looks exceptionally bright. The program has established a winning culture that emphasizes both athletic and academic achievement, as evidenced by the CSC Academic All-District Honors. The team's focus will now shift to the upcoming seasons, where they will aim to build on the 9-6-4 record and the momentum gained from their 2025 campaign. Fans and recruiters alike should keep a close eye on the Knights as they continue their ascent in the NAIA. The blend of historical championships, recent NAIA tournament experience, and current star power makes Marian University Men's Soccer a must-watch program in the Midwest and a formidable challenger for the Crossroads League title in the years to come.

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