Eight Plotlines to Follow in the 2025 Big Ten Men's Soccer Season
A preview of the conference's top contenders, championship outlooks, big games to watch, key players, and more
The stage is set for an intense Big Ten Men's Soccer season. With two teams ranked in the top 15 nationally and several others capable of making noise come tournament time, here are eight things you should know about the upcoming men's soccer season.
Preseason Rankings Paint a Competitive Picture
The Big Ten and United Soccer Coaches preseason rankings have been revealed, and four teams were featured in the national polls:
Indiana sits on top of the Big Ten Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Maryland, Ohio State, and UCLA round out the Big Ten's top four. (See the full conference poll)
Nationally, Ohio State enters at No. 3, with conference-favorite Indiana checking in at No. 11
Maryland and Washington are receiving votes
Can Ohio State Repeat Their College Cup Magic?
All eyes are on Brian Maisonneuve's Buckeyes as they attempt to build on their historic 2024 campaign. Ohio State's journey to the College Cup marked just the program's second appearance on college soccer's biggest stage.
The Buckeyes now face the challenge of replacing key contributors while maintaining championship-level play. The biggest loss is MAC Hermann Trophy winner Michael Adedokun, whose dynamic playmaking ability was crucial to their success.
However, Ohio State returns significant firepower:
Luciano Pechota, its second-leading scorer from 2024. Pechota's 5 goals and 7 assists, combined with his Second Team All-Big Ten recognition, make him a prime candidate to shoulder more offensive responsibility
Senior Marko Borkovic, another proven threat on the attack. Coming off his own Second Team All-Big Ten season with 5 goals and 5 assists, Borkovic's experience and clinical finishing will be essential
Defensively, Nathan Demian. His vocal leadership on the back line will be key if Ohio State wants to defend its 2024 titles
The Buckeyes shared the 2024 Big Ten Championship with Indiana before capturing their first Big Ten Tournament crown since 2009. That success has set a new standard for a program looking to establish itself as a perennial championship contender.
Indiana's Quest to Maintain Dominance
Few programs in college soccer match Indiana's pedigree. The Hoosiers enter 2025 as the winningest program in Big Ten Men's Soccer history, boasting 8 national championships, 19 regular season Big Ten titles, and an incredible 38 straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
The departure of Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Tommy Mihalic and their other top two scorers creates some gaps for the Hoosiers. But they have plenty of talent to fill the void:
Junior Collins Oduro made crucial contributions in clutch moments during 2024, including a memorable assist on a 100th-minute golden goal against Akron in the NCAA Tournament
The Hoosiers also added Palmer Ault, a senior transfer from Butler, who earned All-Big East recognitions three times while accumulating 21 goals and 12 assists
Defensively, Indiana welcomes back Josh Maher, whose unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team signals his potential impact
We'll see if the Hoosiers can take home their unmatched 19th Big Ten Championship (and perhaps a ninth natty) this season.
Big Ten MAC Hermann Trophy Repeat?
The Big Ten claimed its 15th MAC Hermann Trophy in 2024 thanks to Ohio State's Michael Adedokun. With several standout candidates returning, the conference appears well-positioned to keep college soccer's most prestigious individual honor within its membership.
Maryland's Leon Koehl and Washington's Charlie Kosakoff enter the conversation as consistent, experienced scorers capable of explosive seasons
Defensively, several Big Ten players could challenge the typical forward/midfielder dominance of the award, including Indiana's Josh Maher, Washington's Harrison Bertos, Northwestern's Nigel Prince, and Michigan State's Zac Kelly
We'll see who emerges as the top player in the conference (and quite possibly, the nation).
Impactful Transfers
The modern college soccer landscape relies on strategic transfer portal additions, and several Big Ten programs made significant moves:
Northwestern landed Alejandro Martinez Santamaria, a senior forward whose First Team All-Horizon League selection and United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American recognition at Milwaukee suggest immediate impact potential
Wisconsin bolstered its attack with graduate forward Bart Muns from UIC. His 15 goals and seven assists over two seasons with the Flames demonstrate the kind of consistent production that could elevate the Badgers' offensive ceiling
UCLA's addition of Sergi Solans from Oregon State represents a forceful forward for the Bruins. The redshirt sophomore's 14 goals and 3 assists for the Beavers in 2024 showcase his ability to finish at a high level
Michigan welcomed midfielder Raymundo Mendez from Seattle Pacific, where he earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors in 2024. His playmaking ability and leadership experience should provide valuable depth for the Wolverines
Eight Must-Watch Games This Season
The Big Ten Men's Soccer schedule delivers several marquee matchups that will define the conference race and NCAA Tournament seeding:
No. 11 Indiana vs. No. 9 Clemson: Kicks off the season with a top-25 clash that will immediately test both programs' championship credentials. (August 21, 8 p.m. ET on B1G+)
No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 21 Akron: An in-state rivalry featuring two ranked programs. (September 5, 7 p.m. ET on B1G+)
Washington vs. Seattle U: A rematch of last season's NCAA Tournament first-round thriller, where the Huskies advanced on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw. (September 8, 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+)
No. 11 Indiana vs. Michigan: A rematch of last year's Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal, when the seventh-seeded Wolverines pulled off a 1-0 upset. (September 13, 8 p.m. ET on B1G+)
No. 3 Ohio State vs. UCLA: A battle between the Big Ten preseason No. 3 and No. 4 teams. (September 29, 6 p.m. ET on BTN)
Maryland vs. UCLA: The preseason No. 2 and No. 4 Big Ten teams go coast-to-coast for this clash. (October 3, 8 p.m. ET on BTN)
No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 11 Indiana: Last year's regular season Big Ten Champions and the highest ranked teams in the conference go head-to-head, potentially determining conference supremacy late in the season. (October 10, 7:30 p.m. ET on B1G+)
No. 3 Ohio State vs. Michigan: A rematch of the 2024 Big Ten Tournament final, where the Buckeyes edged the seventh-seeded Wolverines, 1-0. (October 14, 6 p.m. ET on BTN)
Check out the full Big Ten Men's Soccer schedule.
Big Ten Tournament Drama Awaits
The 2025 Big Ten Men's Soccer Tournament, scheduled for November 12-16, promises to deliver the same drama that has become synonymous with conference postseason play.
Last year's tournament featured No. 7 seed Michigan's improbable Cinderella run to the championship game and No. 1 Ohio State's first tournament title since 2009. We can't wait to see what this season's tournament has in store.
Click here to get tournament ticketing information.
Championship Expectations
The Big Ten's strength positions multiple programs for NCAA Tournament runs:
Ohio State's returning core, recent success, and championship experience make the Buckeyes a legitimate national title contender
Indiana's pedigree and talent have the Hoosiers teed up for postseason success
The conference's depth also means several teams could earn at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament. UCLA is fourth in the conference's preseason poll, and the Huskies (No. 5) and Terps (No. 2) are both receiving votes nationally
Wisconsin's young core could develop into a serious threat by season's end
Here. We. Go.
As the Big Ten Men's Soccer season approaches, one thing is certain: the combination of elite programs, rising challengers, and postseason implications promises that 2025 will keep fans on the edge of their seats from the first whistle in August through the final match of the NCAA Tournament.
Mark your calendars, and click here to stay updated on the men's soccer season.