The University of Chicago men’s soccer squad is set to open its 2025 campaign on Tuesday evening, hosting North Park University at 7 p.m. Central Time. The match marks the start of a season that promises to build on a 2024 campaign that delivered a 12‑3‑5 record, a second‑place finish in the University Athletic Association and a second‑round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Season Opener Preview
The Maroons entered the previous season ranked 20th nationally and finished the year with a 4‑1‑2 record in UAA play, extending a streak that has become a hallmark of the program. Head coach Phillip Kroft, now in his fourth year, brings a 30‑14‑14 record over his first three seasons and will rely on a core group of returning players.
Goalkeeper Ali Alamery capped the 2024 campaign with nine clean sheets and a 0.67 goals‑against average, placing him among the program’s best in those categories. Midfielder Edward Wu earned United Soccer Coaches All‑American honors, contributing five goals, five assists and 15 points, and will once again anchor the midfield.
Also returning are midfielder Evan Kanellos, defenders Sean Cooke, Max Weene and Nick Lorr, and sophomore forward Chase Perry, who led the team with five goals as a freshman. The roster adds five freshmen from New York, Florida and Brazil and two transfers from Berry and Bryant, bolstering depth for the upcoming schedule.
North Park University, meanwhile, finished the 2024 season 10‑7‑2 and fourth in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. The Vikings closed the year with a 3‑0 win over Dubuque and a narrow 1‑0 loss to Illinois Wesleyan in the conference championship, showcasing their resilience.
The Vikings enjoy an unbeaten streak in season openers — 13‑0‑1 since 2011 — and will count on returning offensive threat Bastian Eikeland, who scored six goals last year, and goalkeeper Ludvig Almborg, who posted a 1.405 GAA and ranked fourth in the CCIW.
Historically, the Maroons hold a 15‑4‑5 edge over North Park, having won seven of the last eight meetings, including a 3‑2 victory in 2025 that featured a 35‑yard free‑kick by Jadyn Hsieh‑Bailey. Hsieh‑Bailey also tied the single‑season scoring record with four goals, underscoring the offensive firepower on both sides.
With both programs fielding strong lineups and a rivalry that has produced memorable moments, the upcoming clash promises a competitive start to the season and a continuation of a series that has favored the Maroons in recent years.