RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The 2025 Concordia University Chicago (CUC) men's soccer season has come to an end. The Cougars finished the season 1-15-2 overall and 0-11-1 in Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) play.
Season Recap
The Cougars started the season strong, going undefeated opening weekend. They first played Lawrence University on August 30 and walked away with a 2-2 tie.
Bernardo Delgado (Morelia, Michoacán) opened the scoring against the Vikings and a late goal by
Giovanni Velasquez (Cicero, Ill.) secured the tie. Two days later, CUC welcomed Andrews University to River Forest and dominated with a 6-2 victory.
Michael Senese (Naperville, Ill.) secured his first career hattrick while
Justin Ocampo (Melrose Park, Ill.),
Evin Perez (Crystal Lake, Ill.), and
Roman Klozik (New Lenox, Ill.) also put their names on the scoresheet.
CUC continued its stretch of non-conference games against Blackburn College, Caltech, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), and Eureka College. Despite strong battles, the Cougars fell in all four matchups ahead of conference play. However, there were some key highlights. Against Blackburn,
Nethan Gudiel (Chicago, Ill.) recorded nine saves, while Senese tallied a goal against UWSP.
Conference play began on September 17 with an intense battle against Rockford University. The Cougars were on it from the first whistle, as Delgado scored the opening goal in the third minute and
Juan Moresco (Mercedes, Soriano) scored his first career goal just two minutes later. However, the Regents would come back and take the lead, 3-2, in the 59
th minute.
Caleb Kale (Moline, Ill.) also scored his first career goal for the Cougars to tie the game in the 68
th minute, but a quick response from the Regents saw CUC fall, 4-3.
The Cougars found themselves in a rut, falling in the next six conference matchups against Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Illinois Tech, Lakeland University, Aurora University, St. Norbert College, and Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). Despite the losses, multiple Cougar goalkeepers picked up career bests.
Chase Zizak (Muskegon, Mich.) recorded a career-high six saves, playing the full 90 minutes against the Scarlet Hawks of Illinois Tech.
Kyle Schultz (Pingree, Ill.) nabbed a career-high 11 saves against the Muskies of Lakeland, and Gudiel amassed a career-best 16 saves against the Spartans of Aurora.
CUC finally earned a point in conference play, as the team tied Benedictine University, 0-0. With strong defense from the Cougars' backline consisting of
Asael Castaneda (Bensenville, Ill.),
Daniel Gutierrez (Chicago, Ill.),
Andre Wangandu (Lansing, Mich.), and Moresco, the Eagles were limited on proper chances. In the 80
th minute, Benedictine was awarded a penalty kick. With the game on the line, Gudiel remained cool, calm, and collected, and dove to his left to make the save and secure the point.
Unfortunately, the Cougars would fall in their final three games of the season against Edgewood University, Marian University, and Dominican University. In the game against Marian, Ocampo scored the Cougars' lone goal in the 4-1 loss, having a loose ball pop out of the box and right into his path. Against Dominican, the Cougars were able to hold the fifth best team in the conference for 50 minutes before falling, 4-0.
Graduating Seniors
CUC graduates 11 seniors with the core of them being key players.
Kyle Schultz played in seven games this season, starting in four of them. He secured a career-high 11 saves against Lakeland and a season total of 24 saves.
Miguel Figueroa played in 16 games this season, starting in three of them. He totaled five shots, two of which were on goal.
Matias Zegarra played in 11 games this season, starting in one of them. He recorded one shot this season.
Juan Moresco played in 16 games this season, starting in 15 of them. He tallied his first goal in the maroon and gold against Rockford and totaled seven shots on goal.
Justin Ocampo played in all 18 games this season, starting in 17 of them. He totaled three goals and one assist for seven points.
Evin Perez played in nine games this season, starting in four of them. He registered a goal and an assist against Andrews.
Jesus Badillo played in 17 games this season, starting in 11 of them. He recorded four shots, one of which was on goal.
Bernardo Delgado played and started in 16 games this season. He amassed three goals and two assists for eight points.
Andre Wangandu played in 12 games this season, starting in 11 of them. Listed as a defender, he tallied eight shots, two of which were on frame.
Giovanni Velasquez played and started in 16 games this season. He scored one goal against Lawrence.
Miguel Salamanca played in 13 games this season, starting in two of them. He totaled three shots, with two on goal.
Impactful Returners
Caleb Kale had an outstanding debut season, playing in all 18 games and starting in 16 of those. He scored two goals in 1418 minutes, the second-most minutes on the team.
Michael Senese was a huge offensive threat for the Cougars this season, playing and starting in 14 games. He scored four goals and tallied five assists for a team-high 13 points.
Daniel Gutierrez stepped up this season as a key defender in the Cougars' back line, playing in 17 games and starting in 12 of those. Not only did he deny opponents opportunities defensively, Gutierrez also got up into the attack and accumulated two shots.
Nethan Gudiel continued to shine in net for CUC, playing in 16 games this season and starting in 13 of those. Gudiel led the Cougars with a .692 save percentage.
Statistical Leaders
Goals:
Michael Senese (4)
Assists:
Michael Senese (5)
Points:
Michael Senese (13)
Shots:
Caleb Kale (29)
Shots on Goal:
Michael Senese (16)
Saves:
Nethan Gudiel (83)
Season Highlights
What's Next
To stay up to date on all things CUC men's soccer, follow along on X and Instagram @cucmsoccer. Coverage for all our sports can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
