(Sept. 15, 2026) - In the first release of the United Soccer Coaches Division III Top 25 poll, the North Central College men's soccer team ranks No. 21 after opening the 2026 season with a 5-0-1 record. 

North Central recorded one of its biggest wins of the season Sept. 11 against Wartburg College, avenging a heartbreaking loss to the Knights in 2025. The Cardinals earned a 3-1 victory, with Joseph Sargent opening the scoring on an assist from Eltayeb Mahmoud. Lorenzo Monticelli followed with the first goal of his career, assisted by Daniel Magallon, and Javi Landin added the Cardinals' final goal.

The Cardinals followed the win over the Knights with a 3-0 Senior Day victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University. Sargent and Monticelli each scored, with assists from Marco Costabile and Julian Nino. Mahmoud also scored his first goal of the season on an assist from Sargent.

Sargent is tied for the Division III lead in game-winning goals with six other student-athletes and ranks 11th nationally in total goals. Aleks Duncevic also appears in the Division III total-goals rankings at No. 28. As a team, North Central ranks 15th nationally for total goals and currently leads the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin.

Wesleyan University of Middletown, Conn., is the top-ranked team in the men's soccer poll at 3-0-0. St. Olaf College, Case Western Reserve University, Babson College and Rowan University round out the top five.

In the Region VIII poll, North Central ranks second behind the University of Chicago, while Hope College ranks third. North Park University (No. 5) and Illinois Wesleyan University (No. 8) are among the CCIW schools ranked in the region. Calvin University, which previously received votes in the preseason poll, is ranked No. 6. North Central will travel to face Calvin on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. ET.