Wesleyan Athletics Has Historic Fall Season
The Fall 2025 Athletics season was one of the greatest in Wesleyan’s history. Every eligible team made it to the NCAA Tournament after a year full of successful conference play and a handful of Little Three Championships. Wesleyan athletes also excelled in the classroom, with 103 nominations to the NESCAC All-Academic team across all fall sports.
“This fall was truly historic for Wesleyan Athletics,” said Michael Whalen, Frank V. Sica Director of Athletics and chair of physical education. “It was the first time every eligible fall program advanced to NCAA Championship competition. But to be honest, I’m not surprised. Our coaches and student-athletes bring an exceptional level of commitment and competitive drive every single day, and it’s gratifying to see that work reflected on the national stage.”
Fans also played a role, said Whalen. “I’m equally proud of the incredible support from our community—whether it was a packed Corwin Stadium for the NESCAC Championship win over Trinity or the electric atmosphere in Silloway Gym during volleyball’s NCAA run, our fans made a real impact. This momentum is a testament to the strength, pride, and unity that define Cardinal Athletics.”
Football
The Cardinals football team had an exciting 2025 season. For the second straight year, the team beat Trinity in the NESCAC Championship game on Nov. 8—winning 31-28 behind a standout game from running back Angelo LaRose ’27. For the first time in school history, Wesleyan secured a fourth straight Little Three Championship with wins over Amherst on Oct. 25 and Williams in overtime on Nov. 1. Several Cardinals were rewarded with postseason awards, as the team swept the individual awards and had 13 All-NESCAC recipients this season. Quarterback Matt Fitzsimons ’27 won NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year after he led the conference in passing yards and touchdowns. Defensive back Dylan Connors ’26 won NESCAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and wide receiver Donte Kelly ’29 won NESCAC Rookie of the Year.
Field Hockey
The No. 7 Wesleyan field hockey team had a historic season, making it to the quarterfinal of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in its history. The Cardinals finished 16-5 on the season, with a 7-3 record in the NESCAC, en route to a Little Three Championship and a runner-up finish in the NESCAC Championship. A team record, five Wesleyan players received All-NESCAC honors, including the first individual award in program history as Emily Smith ’29 took home NESCAC Rookie of the Year for her contributions in the midfield. Georgia Adams ’26, who has the second-most career points in Wesleyan history, and goalkeeper Audrey Pace ’26 joined Smith on the All-NESCAC First Team; Natalie Shaw ’28 and Brooke Miner ’28 were named to the All-NESCAC Second Team.
Volleyball
No. 12 Volleyball continued its successful run of play, making it to its eighth NCAA Tournament and seventh in the last nine years. The 22-4 Cardinals hosted a regional round at Silloway Gymnasium and made it to the NCAA Regional Final before falling to No. 4 Colby in five sets. Wesleyan was the No. 1 seed in the NESCAC Tournament, making it to the semifinals, after leading the conference in points per set, hitting percentage, and blocks, while allowing the fewest opponent blocks and service aces per set. Libero Elliana Moreno ’27 was named All-NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in total digs. Outside hitters Sophia Lindus ’26 and Siena Steines ’28 were named to All-NESCAC First Team; Ali Landa ’26 was named to the All-NESCAC Second Team.
Men’s Soccer
Wesleyan men’s soccer had its 11th 10-win season in team history this year—winning a Little Three Championship along the way. The Cardinals finished the year 10-5-4 with a 5-1-4 record in conference play and made it to the semifinals of the NESCAC Tournament for the first time since 2015. Men’s soccer earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, demolishing Lehman 8-1 at Jackson Field in the first round before losing 2-0 to Rowan the next day to end their season. Wesleyan’s coaching staff was awarded the NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year Award, the fourth in head coach Geoff Wheeler’s 27-year tenure. The Cardinals also had four players named to the All-NESCAC First Team and one named to the All-NESCAC Second Team.
Women’s Soccer
Like the men’s team, the women’s soccer team also made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a first-round, double-overtime thriller against No. 21 New York University that was settled on penalty kicks. In head coach Eva Meredith’s 22nd season, the Cardinals went 9-5-4 with highlight wins over No. 23 Amherst at home on Oct. 4 and Colby on Oct. 25. Last year’s NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year, Molly Brumbach ’26, and Maria Utz ’27 were named to the All-NESCAC First Team for the second straight year. Three of her teammates—Riley Buehler ’26, Sheridan Snow ’28, and Tori Rideau-Winds ’26—were named to the All-NESCAC Second Team.
Men’s Cross Country
Men’s cross country finished 17th at the NCAA Division III Championship this season, six spots higher than the squad placed in 2024. The team of seven runners was led by Liam Calhoun ’26, who placed the highest by a Cardinal runner since 2017 in 78th. Calhoun earned his third-career All-Region selection and was joined by Dylan Cote ’28, Alexander Kermath ’26, and Noah Mahoney ’26 on the team. Wesleyan also won the Cardinal Invitational at The Wes Fuhrman ’05 Trails Cross Country Course this year.
Women’s Cross Country
Women’s cross country was led by Chase Cerrell ’28 and Stephanie Ager ’26 at this year’s NCAA Division III Championship. Cerrell placed 116th, beating her 2024 score by 32 places, and Ager finished 143rd. Ager is the second runner in team history to compete in the NCAA Tournament in all four years of her career, joining Allegra Burton ’87. The Cardinals also placed third in the Cardinal Invitational on Sept. 20. Both runners received a nomination to the All-Region and All-New England teams, with Ager receiving honors in all four of her years at Wesleyan.
