Men's Soccer announces 2025 Schedule
The Wiley University men's soccer team announced its 2025 schedule Wednesday, featuring 13 matches with seven contests at home on Pemberton Field. Head coach Andrew Benitez prioritized local matchups to minimize travel costs while building a challenging slate designed to prepare the Wildcats for the inaugural HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Championship.
"I think we have a solid schedule," Benitez said. "We have matches that will challenge us and build our confidence as we compete for our conference championship."
In a significant development for the program, Wiley will return to conference affiliation for the first time since 2018 as the HBCU Athletic Conference sponsors soccer for its first season since 2004. The additions of Huston-Tillotson University and Paul Quinn College, both former RRAC competitors, allowed the HBCUAC to meet the six-school threshold necessary to host a championship. The Wildcats competed as an independent in the Continental Athletic Conference for the past two seasons.
The HBCUAC will feature six teams, all of whom will participate in the 2025 HBCUAC Men's and Women's Soccer Championship. The conference will be divided into two divisions. Wiley is in the West Division alongside newcomers Huston-Tillotson University and Paul Quinn College. The Wildcats will host the Tigers and Rams on October 4 and 13, respectively, and visit them on October 23 and 25 for their first meetings since 2018. The East Division comprises Oakwood University, Talladega College, and Tougaloo College.
Preseason and Non-Conference Highlights
The Wildcats will kick off their preseason with two scrimmages: August 12 at Angelina College and August 13 at home against Jacksonville College. They will then participate in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Classic at TCO Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings' practice facility, for an exhibition match against HBCUAC foe Tougaloo College on August 17.
The home and season opener is set for August 25 against North American University, a chance for the Wildcats to avenge last season's narrow 2-1 loss. This match will be the first of four against Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) schools. Wiley will visit Jarvis Christian University (September 3), Texas A&M University-Texarkana (September 13), and Louisiana State University of Alexandria (September 17). The matchups against Jarvis and LSU-Alexandria mark the first time the Wildcats have faced these teams since competing in the RRAC in 2018.
Rounding out the non-conference schedule are home matches against Texas Wesleyan University (August 28) and HBCUAC member Oakwood University (October 12). A significant road test awaits on September 19, when Wiley travels to William Carey University, a team that reached the semifinals of the 2024 NAIA National Championship. The Wildcats will also play a home-and-home series against Arlington Baptist University, with an away game on September 26 and the return match at home on October 3.
Team Outlook
The Wildcats enter their third season since the program's return in 2023 and their second under Coach Benitez. After winning three games last season, the team boasts a roster with nearly all its key players returning, setting the stage for an impactful 2025 campaign.
For more coverage on the Wildcats visit https://wileyathletics.com/sports/msoc/index
About Wiley University Athletics
Wiley University sponsors 15 varsity sports, women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track and field, men's and women's outdoor track and field, men's and women's golf, softball and baseball. It competes in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) and the Continental Athletic Conference for men's and women's golf.
FOLLOW THE WILDCATS
Facebook: /WileyAthletics
Instagram: @wileyuniversityathletics, @wiley_soccer
YouTube: /c/Wiley Wildcats