The Wiley University men’s soccer team, fresh off winning the 2025 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Soccer Championship, is set to compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Soccer National Championship. The Wildcats will face Carroll College in the First Round, scheduled for March 9, 2025, at Cumberland University’s Lindsey Donnell Stadium at Kirk Field in Lebanon, Tennessee.
This marks Wiley’s second appearance in the NAIA National Championship, with their first being in 2015 when they claimed victory in the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament. With a season record of 9 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, the Wildcats have established themselves as a formidable opponent, remaining unbeaten in HBCUAC play, where they outscored rivals 10-2.
The path to the championship was not without challenges. During the semifinals, Wiley found itself trailing against Paul Quinn College until they rallied to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory in the final minutes. In the championship match against Huston-Tillotson, Wiley demonstrated its resilience, overcoming a tied score at halftime to dominate the second half with three goals.
As they enter the tournament, the Wildcats are on an impressive eight-match unbeaten streak, including seven victories and one draw. Two of the teams they lost to earlier in the season, William Carey University and Louisiana State University, have also qualified for the NAIA National Championship, highlighting the competitive level of their season.
Carroll College, their upcoming opponent, boasts a record of 13 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses and secured an at-large bid from the Cascade Collegiate Conference. The team finished second in their regular season and reached the championship match, earning them 20 points in the final Men’s Soccer Top 25 poll.
The match is set for a noon kickoff on Thursday, with the winner advancing to face the host team, No. 8 Cumberland, on Saturday. The exact time for the second match will be announced later. The stakes are high for Wiley, as they aim to make history by securing their first-ever postseason victory in the NAIA. The anticipation is palpable as the Wildcats prepare to take the field in Lebanon, Tennessee, ready to display their skill and determination.
