Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

2024-25 USC College Team Academic Award Winners

Aug. 1, 2025 - For the sixth straight season under the guidance of head coach Enzo Fuschino, the North Central College men's soccer team has earned the United Soccer Coaches' Team Academic Award for its success in the classroom, the organization announced Friday.

A total of 697 soccer teams (283 men, 414 women) across all NCAA and NAIA divisions posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, thereby earning the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the 2024-25 academic year. Of that total, 151 schools had both their men's and women's programs recognized.

The Cardinals made the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season by winning the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Tournament for the third time. Tommaso Polidori and Jared Urueta were named to the All-CCIW teams with Polidori, Urueta and Daniel Szalai earning USC All-Region honors.

Academically. Polidori, Peter Kimba, Davis Nelson and J.P. Saux were chosen as USC Scholar All-Region selections. In total, 11 Cardinals earned Academic All-CCIW accolades. North Central is just one of two CCIW schools to have both the men's and women's teams honored for their academic successes, joining Wheaton College.

The Cardinals begin the 2025 season on the road by facing Knox College on Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. at Jorge Prats Field in Galesburg, Ill. North Central is 5-0-1 against the Prairie Fire, winning 6-0 a season ago.