Men’s soccer team looks to rebound, regain Region 5 dominance
The Hill College men’s soccer program looks to rebound from last season in its quest to win a sixth Region 5 Championship since 2014.
Ivan Franco, a former Hill College men’s soccer player who is now in his second season as head coach for the Rebels, said he is realistic about his team’s goals and expectations for the upcoming 2025 season.
“Our goal is to finish above .500 this season and to regain control of Region 5 by winning the Region,” Franco said, “and our expectations are to do a full 180-degree turnaround from last year and to get back to our winning ways.”
Franco said his team will most likely have to go through Ranger College if it wants a shot at the Region 5 title. Ranger College is listed as No. 20 in the nation based on the recent NJCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll.
Ranger College had a remarkable season last year and was only one game short of making a national tournament appearance.
This season, Hill College will carry a roster of 26 players – including 14 freshmen and 12 sophomores.
Key players to watch for include sophomore returner Giovani Lopez, sophomore transfer Louis Beaufrere, sophomore transfer Mateo Limardo, and sophomore returner Stefan Radovanovic.
“We brought in a lot of newcomers, some being freshmen and others being transfers, who bring valuable experience from other programs,” Franco said.
Hill College opens the 2025 men’s soccer season on the road against Blinn College (Aug. 21) before hosting No. 13-ranked Coastal Bend College Aug. 26 beginning at 11 a.m. in Fort Worth.
“By opening the season with two very tough opponents, it should help us prepare for our upcoming four regional games against Ranger College and Western Texas College,” Franco said.
All Hill College home soccer games are played at Gateway Park in Fort Worth. The address to the Soccer Complex is 751 Beach St., Fort Worth, Texas, 76105.
“Playing home games at Gateway Park is a challenge, as always, with home games essentially being a neutral site,” Franco added. “However, we look at it as an opportunity to be battle tested no matter the location.”
2025 Hill College Men's Soccer Roster
1 Dante Olivares, sophomore, GK
2 Antoine Sureau, freshman, LB
3 Roman Hernandez, freshman, CB
4 Luis Barreto, sophomore CB
5 Marco Gonzalez Alcantara, freshman, CDM/CB
6 Daniel Arias, sophomore, CDM/CM
7 Alejandro Ibarra, freshman, ST
8 Giovani Lopez, sophomore, CM
9 Kevin Mejia, ST/LW
10 Louis Beaufrere, sophomore, CAM/CF
11 Mateo Limardo, freshman, LW/CAM
12 Joaquin Iturra, sophomore, CM
13 Thierry Garrick, freshman, RW
14 David Fernandez, sophomore, ST
15 Reyli Angulo, sophomore, CM
16 Daniel Cruz, freshman, CM/RB
17 Chris Cadena, sophomore, LB
18 Matteo Guerrero, freshman, CM/ST
19 Martino Di Braida, sophomore RB/RW
20 Wesley McCool, freshman, CB/RB
21 Geo Cadena, freshman, LB
22 Stefan Radovanovic, sophomore, CM
23 Eddie Zapata, freshman, LW/CAM
24 Ernesto Arceu, freshman, LB/CB
25 Marvin Bazan, freshman, CB
27 Diego Valdez, sophomore, RW
28 Gil Midel, freshman, GK
Head Coach: Ivan Franco
For more information on the Hill College men's soccer program, please visit https://hillcollegeathletics.com.