Heading into the 2024-25 season, NCC men’s soccer has proven its worth in Division 3. The team currently holds a record of 2- 2- 1, with their most recent loss coming against the University of Chicago. Despite facing challenges, the Cardinals are determined to compete as a unified team.
Family away from family
Coach Vincenzo Fuschino, entering his sixth season, emphasizes the importance of creating a family-like environment within the NCC men’s soccer program. He believes fostering strong team chemistry and mutual support is critical to their success.
“My team philosophy is to create a family environment. I believe in team chemistry. If you can forge a team into having a family environment, where everybody respects and supports each other you’ll do well as team, which is something I will try to establish here at NCC,” said Fuschino.
This environment has been impactful for many international students like Joris Rijnja, ’26, from the Netherlands. Rijnja is an important figure for other international students who are looking to attend NCC. Coach Fuschino describes Rijnja as the “Go-to man” when it comes down to recruiting students to attend North Central. This is because he has a straight-forward personality that allows him to connect with students that will be in a similar position as he. He is also well-versed in the resources he wishes he was given during his recruitment process.
Since Rijnja’s recruitment process, the NCAA offers a new resource in the International Student-Athlete Handbook. This gives students the ability to be able to adjust to life in a new country, along with adjusting to cultural differences that athletes may endure such as cultural aspects and opportunities that are facing them within their university.
Additional key players of the squad include Jared Urueta, ’25, Will Mayer, ’27 and Peter Kimba, ’25. Urueta, now in his senior season, started 12 games last year and had two key game winning shots.
Combining school and sport
Rijnja has been an essential player for the North Central team despite facing setbacks. Last season, Rinjna faced a broken toe that sidelined him. “Which no athlete wants to experience,” said Rijnja.
He shared his experience adjusting to the differences between athletic and academic systems here in the United States, ultimately finding North Central an ideal place due to its diverse international student population.
“In the Netherlands, you play for a club and not a university, but I like that it is both university and soccer,” said Rijnja, ’26.
Cardinals next steps
The Cardinals head out to Milwaukee, WI to take on Milwaukee School of Engineering. In their last matchup, the Cardinals defeated the Raiders in a dominant 3-1 victory. Performances from key players such as Rijnja, Jared Urueta, Will Mayer and Peter Kimba will be essential moving forward for the Cardinals.
