Cedarville, Northern Michigan meet for first time in NCAA

11.19.25

By: Cedarville University Athletic Department

BRACKET  |  INFO
 
CLAREMORE, Okla. – The No. 7 seed Yellow Jackets and No. 10 Northern Michigan are set to play a first round game in Super Region 3 on Thursday.
 
Kickoff at Soldier Field on the campus of Rogers State University is slated for 2:00 p.m. EST with live video coverage on NCAA.COM and SIDEARM Stats.
 
It will be the first time the two schools have played one another in men's soccer.
 
How did they get here?
 
CEDARVILLE (11-1-7 Overall)
  • The Jackets have been ranked as high as No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II poll and are No. 17 in the last rating.
  • Earned an at-large bid and making the program's fourth appearance in the NCAA Division II Championship.
  • CU qualified in 2015, 2019, and 2021, and advanced to the second round each year.
  • The Jackets completed the first unbeaten regular season (11-0-7) in the 63-year history of the program.
  • Despite going 9-0-5 in the G-MAC, Cedarville finished one point behind champion Tiffin in the standings.
  • After receiving a first round bye in the G-MAC Tournament, CU was eliminated by Kentucky Wesleyan in the semifinals, 1-0.
  • The Jackets dominated the league's major awards: Brett Faro (Coach of the Year), Michael Catanzarite (Offensive Player of the Year), Amari Everage (Defensive Player of the Year), and Eben Dewhurst (Goalkeeper of the Year).
  • Nationally, Cedarville is 14th in goal differential (+24) and sixth in goals against average (0.58).
  • Dewhurst is tied for fifth in shutouts (9) in Division II and is sixth in goals against average (0.54).
  • Catanzarite is tied for third in the country in game-winning goals (6).
 
NORTHERN MICHIGAN (9-4-6 Overall)
  • The Wildcats are making their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Championship.
  • No. 3 seed NMU won the GLIAC title with a 1-0 win at top seed Saginaw Valley State in the championship game.
  • Four players were named to the All-GLIAC Team.
  • Northern Michigan is 5-0-2 in its last seven outings.
  • They are +6 in goal differential (23-17) allowing 0.89 goals per game.
 
Host and No. 2 seed Rogers State awaits the winner for a second round tilt on Saturday at 2:00 EST. The Hillcats are currently ranked No. 13.