Aug. 7, 2026 - Academic success remained a hallmark of the North Central College men's soccer program during the 2025-26 academic year, as the Cardinals earned a United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the seventh straight season. 

A total of 777 soccer teams (326 men, 451 women) posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, to earn the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the 2025-26 academic year. Among those programs, 175 schools had both their men's and women's teams recognized. 

North Central made its eighth consecutive College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Tournament appearance after finishing the 2025 season with a 4-0-4 conference record. Joseph Sargent was named the CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year before earning (USC) All-American Fourth Team honors. Aleks Duncevic received All-CCIW First Team recognition, while Griffin French, Joris Rijnja, and Marco Costabile earned All-CCIW Second Team honors.  

For his accomplishments in the classroom, Rijnja earned USC Scholar All-North/Central Region Third Team and was named to the College Sports Communicator Academic All-District Team. 

North Central, Illinois Wesleyan University and Wheaton College were the three CCIW institutions to have both their men's and women's soccer programs recognized with Team Academic Awards. 

The Cardinals will open their 2026 season on the road at Illinois Institute of Technology on Sept. 1, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. on Stuart Field.