HELENA, Mont. - For the second consecutive season, the Carroll Men's Soccer team will compete in the NAIA Men's Soccer Championship, and once again, they'll be forced to work through a three-team pod, beginning with a Thursday morning matchup with Wiley University (Texas) at 9 a.m. (MST) in Lebanon, Tenn.

Forecasted severe thunderstorms have forced the hand of tournament officials at Cumberland (Tenn.), as the projected lighting has bumped up the original start time of the Fighting Saints' (13-3-3) first round matchup against the Wildcats (9-3-2) to 9 a.m. (MST).

The early-morning opening round matchup will be the first ever meeting between the Saints and Wildcats in any sport.

Wiley enters the tournament on the heels of winning the 2025 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Championship match, 4-2 over Houston-Tillotson. The Wildcats became the first school to win the HBCUAC, which sponosored the sport at the conference level for the first time in 2025. Prior, the Wildcats had competed in the Red River Conference, owning one other conference crown in 2015.

Much like the Saints in the 2024 season, Wiley secured nearly every major postseason award that the HBCUAC presented this season. Anthony Ulloa was named Offensive player of the Year, leading the team with six goals and 16 points. Juan Cuyasso was named HBCUAC Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Nievas earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors, and Alejandro Barcena finished the sweep with the Newcomer of the Year award for the Wildcats.

One year removed from their first ever appearance, the Fighting Saints look to rely on an impressive group of returners as they aim to make it to the final site for the first time in program history.

"It's truly a blessing for this group to be back for the second year in a row." said Head Coach Austin Shick "These opportunities are not guaranteed - and we're not overlooking this opportunity to compete for a title. These guys are ready to go. I think last year we were slightly naive - not necessarily knowing what exactly we were walking into, but this year we're going to rely on our experience and make a push to advance even further."

Six Saints enter the national championship with postseason conference accolades. A formidable backline duo of Justus Herrmann (Weil am Rhein, Germany / SO) and Alan Gutierrez (Reno, Nev. / SR) both were First Team All-CCC selections, while four Saints earned Second Team All-CCC honors. Juan Muniz Navarrete (Hermiston, Ore. / GR), Sam Loughton (East Yorkshire, England / JR), Alfie Snow (Middlesbrough, England / JR), and Felix Billard (Mallorca, Spain / JR).

The Saints have 10 more goals scored on the season (40-30), and a substantial advantage in goals allowed (CC - .67, WU - 1.37).

First touch is scheduled for 9 a.m. (MST) at host-school Cumberland - who will await the winner of Thursday's First Round contest in a Second Round matchup on Saturday.

The game will be streamed live, free of charge, on the Urban Edge Network HERE, and live stats can be found HERE.