2025 Men's Soccer Honors Released

The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has released its season honors for the 2025 men's soccer season. Awards are voted on by each team's head coach following the conclusion of the regular season.

Offensive Player of the Year: Jordy Lopez, F, Madonna

Lopez earns the second WHAC individual honor of his career (2022 Newcomer of the Year) and his first Offensive Player of the Year honor for a stellar 2025 season. The redshirt senior from Bogota, Columbia led the conference in goals with 20, 14 of which came during conference play. Lopez also led the WHAC in points with 42 overall, 28 in conference and shots. This is his second-straight year on the All-Conference First Team and his efforts helped the Crusaders to a repeat WHAC regular season title. This is Madonna's sixth Offensive Player of the Year all-time and first since Ryota Nakajima in 2022. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Jhonnier Torres Gonzalez, D, Madonna

Teammate Jhonnier Torres Gonzalez earns his first individual award and second time on the First Team list. The senior from Dolores, Tolima headlined a defense that allowed the fewest goals in WHAC action, 10. Torres Gonzalez also got involved on the offensive end, scoring a goal and adding a pair of assists. This is Madonna's fourth Defensive Player of the Year all time and first since Breno Stancinskas won it in 2022.

Midfielder of the Year: Ryushin Hirami, MF, Madonna

Another repeat First Team member, Ryushin Hirami was a critical part of all of Madonna's success. The senior from Osaka, Japan scored eight goals and added seven assists during Madonna's championship season. This is the second-straight year a Madonna player has claimed Midfielder of the Year honors. 

Newcomer of the Year: Raul Oliu, D, UNOH

A junior from Valencia, Spain, Oliu stormed onto the scene from his defensive position for the Racers in 2025. His efforts on defense led to UNOH allowing the second fewest goals of any team in conference play. He also made an impact on the offensive end, scoring five goals (two game winners) and adding eight assists for 18 total points. This is UNOH's first Newcomer of the Year since Karim Jouini in 2019.

Coach of the Year: Mark Zathey, Madonna

For the second consecutive year and fourth time in his career, Madonna Head Coach Mark Zathey has been voted by his peers as the WHAC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year. Zathey led the Crusaders to a repeat conference regular season title with a 16-1-2 overall record and 9-1-1 mark in conference play. 

Champion of Character Coach: Drew Crawford, Siena Heights

Siena Heights head coach Drew Crawford has been selected by his peers as the Champion of Character Coach for 2025. The award honors coaches for their dedication to building character through sport.

All-Conference Teams

In addition to the individual honors, the WHAC named its All-Conference Teams, including an All-Newcomer Team, an All-Academic Team (for sophomores and above in academic standing with a cumulative 3.25 GPA and in attendance at the nominating institution for one full year), and a Champions of Character Team consisting of one member from each team who best represents the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.