Cocoa, FL – The #10 Monroe University men's soccer team is set to begin its 2025 season against #3 Eastern Florida State College on Thursday at 1:00 pm at Orlando Health Stadium.
 
"Our 2025 schedule is arguably the toughest Division I JUCO schedule in the country," DiBernardo said. "We brought in a lot of very promising players along with a solid group of returners. In the end, like anything else, we must prove ourselves one day and game at a time."
 
The Mustangs enter the year with high expectations after winning back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. Despite missing the national tournament in 2024, the crop of returners and newcomers helped the team earn a preseason top-ten ranking by the NJCAA.
 
All five of the top players among minutes played in 2024 are gone, but the reinforcements are built to continue the success of one of the premier programs in the country.
 
Sophomore winger Joao Victor De Araujo Ribeiro aims to lead the Mustangs back to the mountain top. Fellow sophomore forwards Braxton Richards and Jin Yamamoto bring back their scoring prowess, while the sophomore tandem of Pedro De Oliveira Medeiros and Leonardo Martinelli look to anchor the defense in net.
 
Transfers such as sophomore midfielders Carmelo Bello (Cowley) and Diego Palomera Herrera (Harcum), and sophomore defender Abel Ador (UTRGV) are poised to make an immediate impact for Monroe.
 
Eastern Florida is coming off a 16-3-2 season in which it defeated Monroe on October 19, 2-1, in Cocoa. The Titans eventually fell to Cowley County Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Tournament.
 
Following Monroe's matchup against the Titans, two more ranked opponents in #11 Daytona State College and #8 Miami Dade College await as it concludes its trip to Florida.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).