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A few days after the women’s match, students flocked once more to the athletic field for the final game of the 2025 soccer season, this time to watch the men’s championship.

After upperclassman seminar, the two competing teams, one co-captained by Jozef MacKinnon and Tomas Diaz-Bonilla (both ’26), and the other manned by Joey Esser (’27), took to the field for warm-up. The stands buzzed with excitement and overflowed with eager fans, bundled up against the evening chill. “I just love sitting down after seminar with some friends and a hot drink to watch a game!” said Zoe Pipes (’26).

The game started out neck-and-neck, both teams battling for the first point. Team Esser took the lead with a strong shot from Joey, but soon a goal from MacKinnon and Diaz-Bonilla’s team brought the score to a tie. A few minutes later, they took the lead with a shot from Tomas himself, making the score 2-1 at the close of the first half.

Team Esser was fired up at the beginning of the second half and, with an impressive, soaring shot, tied the game once more. Tensions rose in the stands and on the field with every passing minute, as both teams vigorously played for the winning goal. Finally, a shot from Nicolas Diaz-Bonilla (’29) gave Team MacKinnon/Diaz-Bonilla the lead; and, with the momentum in their favor, co-captain Tomas secured the win with one last goal, making the final score 4-2.

Tomas and Jozef, seniors, are a notorious soccer powerhouses on campus; but unfortunately, due to healing injuries, both were unable to play throughout the season. Wanting in on the action, they opted instead to co-captain a team of their own. When playoffs rolled around, Tomas was able to play and helped his team to solidify the victory — the optimal ending to their final TAC soccer season. “This was a great group of guys,” Tomas commented. “Thanks be to God, we were able to pull off the championship!”

More Men’s Soccer Championship photos ...

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