CHICAGO, Ill. - The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) announced the post-season men's soccer honor roll on Thursday, and six players from Olivet Nazarene University received recognition for their outstanding performances during the 2025 season. 

Freshman midfielder Atjon Thaqi (Switzerland) earned the highest recognition for the conference in men's soccer as he was named the CCAC Player of the Year. He was placed on the CCAC First Team and was also named the Midfielder of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Thaqi saw action in 20 contests this year and is currently fourth in the NAIA with 21 goals on the season, 14 of which occured during conference play. He is also tied for fourth in the nation in assists with 14 and second in points with 56. Thaqi was named the CCAC Offensive Player of the Week twice in 2025. 

Junior defender Maxime Schonenberger (Wattwil, Switzerland) was named the CCAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the CCAC First Team. Maxime was a Second Team member the previous two years. Schonenberger played a vital role on a defense that had nine shutouts on the season, three of which came during the conference tournament. 

Graduate student Daniel Martinez was named the Newcomer of the Year as he also joined the CCAC First Team. Martinez was second on the team with 15 goals, which came on 46 shot attempts, and he earned 35 points on the season. 

Sophomore midfielder Kai Bucher (Lucerne, Switzerland) earned CCAC First Team honors. Bucher was a steady presence in the midfield, helping to control the pace and setup his teammates to lead the league in goals scored. 

Senior midfielder Ali Sillah (Siffoe, Gambia) was named to the CCAC First Team after picking up Second Team honors last year. Sillah started all 21 games in the midfield for the Tigers and contributed seven assists on the season.

Freshman defender Niels Noordhoek (Bodegraven, Netherlands) was the lone member of the CCAC Second Team for the Tigers. In his first season with the Tigers, Noordhoek tied for third on the team with 8 assists. Noordhoek was also named the CCAC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 28. 

These six Tigers were crucial to the team's success in 2025. This year's squad enters the NAIA Tournament after winning both the CCAC regular season and tournament championships. They currently hold an overall record of 18-2-1 and 13-0 mark in conference play.

Additionally, Jon Forsythe was named the CCAC Coach of the Year in his second year leading the program. For the first time in the CCAC since 2011, the Tigers did not lose or tie a single conference contest.  

View the full list of CCAC Men's Soccer Post-Season Honors HERE.

--ONU--