2025 Men’s Soccer Season Preview
2024 record: 20-3-3 (8-2-1 Heart)
Starters returning/lost: 4/7
Letterwinners returning/lost: 9/20
Notable returners:
John-Joe Mullane, Sr., Kent, England
(Letterwinner, 7 goals)
Rob Stoop, So., Bosch en Duin, Netherlands
(Letterwinner, 1 assist)
Leighton Jameson, Sr., Lisburn, Northern Ireland
(All-Heart, 6 goals)
Matias Meijide, Grad., Brunete, Spain
(Letterwinner, 1 goal, 4 assists)
Albert Feixas, So., Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain
(All-Heart, 8 goals)
Notable losses:
Sean Bohan
(All-American)
Edan Sears
(All-American)
Connor O'Reilly
(All-American)
Miguel Menendez
(All-Heart)
Notable newcomers:
Fabian Alvarez, Grad., Alajuela, Costa Rica
Santiago Palacios, Grad., Denia, Spain
Leonardo Jimenez, Fr., Mexico City, Mexico
Shahin Adwan, Jr., Aarau, Switzerland
Under new leadership, the William Penn men's soccer team is seeking to defend its place in the national championship as it enters the 2025 season.
The Statesmen, who went 20-3-3 last season (8-2-1 Heart), are now led by first-year head coach Joe Minton. As the former assistant coach, he inherits an experienced squad with many notable newcomers.
Forward
Bringing experience from the NAIA National Championship, Albert Feixas (So., Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain, Exercise Science) (eight goals and four assists in 2024) and John-Joe Mullane (Sr., Kent, England, Sports Management) (seven goals and four assists) are expected to lead the attack.
In addition, Sven Henneberg (So., Detmold, Germany, Sports Management), Mathis Thyli (So., Raufoss, Norway, Business Management), and Jaime Rozalen (Jr., Valencia, Spain, Business Management) aim to make a greater impact this season.
Newcomers Shahin Adwan (Jr., Aarau, Switzerland, Business Management), Hector Bastos (Fr., Vitoria, Brazil, Computer Science), and Caleb Wright (Fr., Hitchin, England, Sports Management) arrive with valuable experience and look to prove themselves on the field.
Midfielder
Matias Meijide (Grad., Brunete, Spain, Master's of Organizational Leadership) is the lone returning starter in the midfield, where he will look to anchor play on the pitch.
Raimu Shingo (So., Fukuoka, Japan, Business Management), who appeared in eight matches during the 2024 season, is expected to take on a larger role.
Transfers Will Couch (Jr., Burnley, England, Sports Management), Leonardo Jimenez (Fr., Mexico City, Mexico, Business Management), and Santiago Ruiz Haro (Grad., Mexico City, Mexico, Master's of Sports Management) are set to strengthen the unit and add valuable depth.
Incoming freshman Javier Perez (Alicante, Spain, Business Management) also aims to make an impact in his debut collegiate campaign.
Defender
William Penn's backline will be anchored by returners Leighton Jameson (Sr., Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Psychology) and Rob Stoop (So., Bosch en Duin, Netherlands, Exercise Science), who bring experience from the NAIA National Championship.
The defense is bolstered by several seasoned newcomers, including sophomore Angel Valdez (Mexicali, Mexico, Nursing) and graduate students Fabian Alvarez (Alajuela, Costa Rica, Master's of Sports Management) and Santiago Palacios (Denia, Spain, Master's of Sport Management).
Freshmen Ivan Abraira (Asturias, Spain, Undecided), Yeray Cuenca (Sitges, Spain, Sports Management), Yugo Hashimoto (Saitama, Japan, Sports Management), and Adam Kay (Preston, England, General Accounting) will also compete for opportunities to earn playing time.
Goalkeeper
Ryan Walsh-Rowe (Jr., Wexford, Ireland, Business Management) is expected to lead the goalkeeper group as they head into the new season.
Matthew Evans (Jr., Holywood, Northern Ireland, Business Management) and Riku Yamasaki (Jr., Nishiharacho, Japan, Business Management) are also competing for the starting role after turning in strong preseason performances.
Freshman Lewis McNab (Weymouth, England, Business Management) rounds out the unit, adding depth to the position.
Schedule/Conference
William Penn's 2025 season opens Thursday with a home matchup against Indiana Tech at Drost Field, one of 10 home contests on the fall slate. Ranked as the Heart's preseason No. 1, the Statesmen begin conference play September 6 on the road against Culver-Stockton as they set out to defend their title.
