Looking back at the 2025 NIRSA National Soccer Championships

Overland Park, Kansas was the site for the exciting 31^st NIRSA National Soccer Championships, held November 20-22. While the weather was a bit questionable, the competition was as fierce as ever.

Men’s Championship Division

Tell me if you’ve heard this before: Brigham Young University won the men’s national championship. It was the program’s sixth consecutive title, seven of the last eight tournaments and ninth overall, a NIRSA soccer record.

BYU’s road to the Men’s Championship Division title was anything but easy this year—every opponent made them earn every inch of their playoff run. In the playoffs, Virginia Tech threw down the challenge immediately, forcing BYU into a tight, defensive battle. The Hokies held the Cougars to a narrow 1–0 victory, setting the tone for what would become a grind-it-out journey to the final. Next up for BYU: the University of Arkansas. The Razorbacks came in with intensity and physicality, making BYU work for every chance. Still, BYU found the breakthroughs they needed, securing a 2–0 win and punching their ticket to the semifinal.

The semifinal matchup against Boston College was a true test of momentum and composure. BC kept pushing, answering BYU’s pressure with energy of their own, but BYU held strong. With a clutch 2–1 win, they earned their spot in the championship game. And then came the final: BYU vs. UCLA. As the sun began to set, the energy was electric. BYU struck early, putting the pressure squarely on the Bruins—but UCLA refused to back down. They battled for every 50/50 ball, countered with speed, and played with the kind of grit that kept the entire stadium locked in. Every minute felt like a momentum swing.

But BYU’s discipline, structure, and sheer determination ultimately carried them through. UCLA fought until the final whistle, but the early goal stood as the difference. BYU capped off their intense playoff run with a 1–0 victory—raising the championship trophy after proving they could withstand every challenge thrown their way. A championship earned the hard way…which always makes a win even sweeter.

Women’s Championship Division

Michigan State University stormed into the women’s playoffs with confidence, opening their run with a commanding 3–0 victory over the University of Illinois. Their offense was sharp, their back line was solid, and they looked every bit like a team ready to make a push deep into the tournament. But the University of Texas quickly reminded them that nothing in the playoffs comes easy. In a fiercely competitive quarterfinal, Texas kept the pressure high and the pace relentless. Michigan State had to stay composed, disciplined, and opportunistic—earning a tight 1–0 win that forced them to raise their level heading into the semifinals.

That boost of determination showed. Facing the University of Tennessee in the semifinal round, Michigan State found their rhythm again, controlling the match and securing a confident 2–0 victory. With momentum on their side, they booked their place in the championship match. And then came the final test: San Diego State. A program with championship history, a reputation for toughness, and one of the most consistent teams in recent years. The final turned into a tactical battle, with end-to-end intensity, no easy chances, and both defenses refusing to break. Regulation ended scoreless. Extra time passed in a tense stalemate. And finally, it came down to kicks from the penalty spot.

With everything on the line, Michigan State stayed composed, stepped up with purpose, and delivered when it mattered most—securing the 1–0 win and claiming the Women’s Championship title in unforgettable fashion: A championship earned the Spartan way.

Open Division Champions

Cal Poly opened their Men’s Open playoff journey with confidence and composure, securing a clean 2–0 victory over Quinnipiac University to set the tone for the rest of their run. The win showcased their discipline on both sides of the ball and gave them the momentum they needed heading into the tougher rounds. Next up was UC Santa Barbara—an in-state matchup loaded with intensity and history. Cal Poly knew this wouldn’t be a walk, but they kept the grind alive and rose to the moment. Their attack clicked beautifully, and their defense held strong, powering them to an impressive 3–0 semifinal victory that punched their ticket to the championship match.

The final brought the ultimate California showdown: Cal Poly vs. San Diego State. A clash of styles, a battle of pride, and a fight for the top spot. Both teams pushed the pace, created chances, and refused to give an inch. But in the end, Cal Poly found the breakthrough that mattered. With a decisive 1–0 win, they claimed the Men’s Open Championship—capping off an impressive playoff run and a Open Division Championship title brought home to San Luis Obispo.

UCLA kicked off their Women’s Open Division playoff journey with authority, earning a solid 2–0 victory over Miami University. The Bruins controlled the pace from start to finish, showcasing a balanced attack and a back line that refused to bend—setting the tone for their push toward the title. Their semifinal matchup brought a familiar challenge: fellow California contender UC Davis. UC Davis came out fast, pressing hard and capitalizing on every opportunity, but UCLA stayed steady. In a tight 2–1 battle, the Bruins’ determination and composure shined through as they secured the crucial win that sent them into the championship match.

The final pitted them against Purdue University, a team known for physicality and disciplined defending. But UCLA rose above the pressure of the moment. They played with confidence, connection, and a level of focus that championship teams are made of. With a 2–0 victory, the Bruins sealed the deal and claimed the Women’s Open Championship crown. UCLA proved they were the team to beat, and they finished on top.

Looking beyond competition

Winning the sportsmanship awards were Cornell University in the Women’s Division and the Weber State University in the Men’s Division. Both schools should be commended for their outstanding sporting behavior and fair play during the tournament.

Thank you!

We would like to thank our official ball sponsor Select Sport America and our exclusive officiating platform provider RQ+.

A special thank you goes to the city of Overland Park for their outstanding assistance as host of the NIRSA National Soccer Championships. We look forward to coming back in the future. More results are available on the NIRSA Championship Series Soccer webpage.

Thank you to all our officials and to the following tournament staff:

• Hanna Anderson, Purdue University
• Peter Aysseh, University of South Carolina
• Cait Carney, Northwestern University
• Dianna Choque, University of Tennessee
• Brittany Close, Creighton University
• Shane Conti, Boston College
• Pedro Niccolini Coelho, USC Columbia
• Abbie Cunningham, Texas A&M College Station
• Noel Durante, Missouri State University
• Jeff Eckert, NIRSA
• Connor Haines, Georgia Southern
• Lauren Hoffman, Cornell University
• Jonathan Johnston, East Texas A&M University
• Jerrell Kelly, University of Colorado Boulder
• Paul Klein, The University of Texas at Dallas
• Rachel Lucas, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
• Madi Luney, Sam Houston State University
• John McNeal, University of Alabama
• Genevieve Nhan, University of Texas at Austin
• Valeria Ortega, The University of Texas at Austin
• Sebastian Prado, Michigan State University
• Ashley Schmidt, Clemson University
• John Scrimger, Texas Tech University
• Keegan Sheffler, West Virginia University
• Courtney Sherwin, UC Santa Cruz
• Sierra Smith, NIRSA
• Yadira Soto, University of California, Irvine
• Nicole Stallard, Northwestern University
• Jacob Steffen, West Virginia University
• Lulu Troll, University of New Hampshire
• Jared Tollas, Texas Tech University Gresh Urbanowski, The University of Texas at Austin
• Eric Vaughn, Missouri State
• Camie Williams, Pittsburg State University
• Dan Wrenholt, Washburn University

Finally, tremendous thanks are owed to the tournament’s directors:

• Tournament Director, Nicole Jackson, NIRSA Headquarters
• Assistant Tournament Director, Lauren Carlson, NIRSA Headquarters
• Co-Director of Competition, Laurel Hanna, University of Michigan
• Co-Director of Competition, Max Miller, Swarthmore College
• Assistant Director of Competition, Mario Rios, Tarleton University
• Director of Operations, Brooks Ford, The University of Texas at Austin
• Assistant Director of Operations, Alex Pendar, University of Wisconsin – River Falls
• Director of Officials, Abby Van Note, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Assistant Director of Officials, Christian Ramirez, Loyola Marymount University
• TEAL, Keith Woolems, University of Portland
• TEAL, Jessica Cuadra, Duke University
• TEAL, Sophia Caro, University of Texas at Dallas
• TEAL, Christopher Baunoch, Georgetown University
• Tournament Host, Eric Olson, Overland Park
• Tournament Host, Chad McFarland, Overland Park
• Soccer Work Team Co-Chair, Alex Pendar, University of Wisconsin – River Falls
• Soccer Work Team Co-Chair, Gresh Urbanowski, The University of Texas at Austin

This tournament would not have been possible without the contributions of everyone involved. Congratulations to all the teams and staff for making the tournament experience a wonderful one. We hope to see everyone next year at the 2026 NIRSA National Soccer Championships!