You Won't Believe How Wiley's Men’s Soccer Shocked Everyone in NAIA First Round - Discover the Drama!

In a thrilling culmination to their 2025 season, the Wiley University men’s soccer team, the champions of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC), is set to compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Soccer National Championship. The Wildcats earned their place in the tournament after a remarkable performance throughout the season, ultimately securing the HBCUAC title.

Wiley's men’s soccer team, boasting a record of 9 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses (9-3-2), enters the Lebanon Bracket of the tournament. They will face Carroll College on Thursday at Cumberland University’s Lindsey Donnell Stadium at Kirk Field in Lebanon, Tennessee. This marks the second appearance for the Wildcats in the NAIA National Championship, the first being in 2015 when they triumphed in the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Wildcats showcased exceptional skill and determination throughout the HBCUAC season, finishing unbeaten in regular play and outscoring opponents 10-2. However, the championship series proved to be more challenging. In the semifinals, Wiley found itself trailing against Paul Quinn College but rallied to score two late goals, securing a 2-1 win. The championship match against Huston-Tillotson was equally intense, with Wiley tying at one goal before dominating the second half with three additional goals.

As they prepare for their upcoming match against Carroll (13-3-3), which received an at-large bid from the Cascade Collegiate Conference after finishing second in the regular season, Wiley is looking to make history. The Wildcats are on an impressive eight-match unbeaten streak (7-0-1), which includes losses to two teams that also qualified for the NAIA National Championship: William Carey University and Louisiana State University.

The stakes are high for both teams as they vie for a spot in the Round of 16 at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Alabama. The winner of Thursday’s match will face Cumberland, the tournament's No. 8 seed, on Saturday, with the match time to be announced. With this playoff opportunity, Wiley's players are not only competing for victory but are also aiming to secure the program's first NAIA postseason win.

As the Wildcats embark on this significant journey, their success resonates beyond the field, serving as an inspiration to student-athletes nationwide, particularly within the HBCU community. Their achievements highlight the growing prominence of HBCUs in collegiate sports, showcasing not just talent but also the spirit and resilience that characterize these institutions.