OWENSBORO, Ky. — For Kentucky Wesleyan men's soccer player Jersey Lopez, making an impact this season has meant more than what he could accomplish on the soccer field.
Throughout the 2026 season, Lopez turned his performance on the pitch into an opportunity to give back, pledging to donate $20 for every goal he scored, $10 for every assist, and $10 for every Kentucky Wesleyan victory to Make-A-Wish.
Lopez finished the season with three goals and 15 assists, helping the Panthers earn nine regular-season victories and two postseason wins in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament. Based on his season totals, Lopez's initiative has generated $320 in pledged donations to Make-A-Wish.
“I wanted to find a way to give back and do something positive for others while playing the game I love,” Lopez said. “It's been rewarding to know that something as simple as scoring a goal, getting an assist or winning a game can help support a great cause.”
Lopez's individual accomplishments made for a memorable season. His 15 assists rank second in a single season in program history, while his career total of 28 assists established a new Kentucky Wesleyan program record. He also finished the season leading the NCAA in both total assists and assists per game, averaging 0.79 assists per contest.
Head coach John Fusco said Lopez's initiative reflects the type of person he is away from the game.
“Jersey is a tremendous competitor, but what makes him special goes beyond what he does on the field,” Fusco said. “His willingness to use his success to help others speaks volumes about his character. We're proud of the example he has set for our program.”
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Vittone said initiatives like Lopez's demonstrate the importance of student-athletes using their platform to make a difference in the community.
“College athletics provides our student-athletes with an opportunity to grow as competitors, but just as importantly, as people,” Vittone said. “What Jersey has done is a great example of using his platform and his accomplishments to serve a greater purpose. We're proud of him for recognizing that being a Panther means making a positive impact both on and off the field.”
While Lopez's name will go into the record books for his accomplishments on the field, his efforts to support Make-A-Wish provide another lasting example of what it means to be a Kentucky Wesleyan Panther.