Pittsburgh, PA - Johnson & Wales Charlotte's men's soccer team captured its second consecutive USCAA Division II Men's Soccer national championship on Monday afternoon.

The game pitted 2nd seeded Berkeley (NJ) against the top seeded Wildcats in what was a rematch of the 2022 USCAA Division II Men's Soccer national final. It was contested on a chilly day at Highmark Stadium, home of the USL's Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

The Wildcats controlled the run of play in the first half, earning five corner kicks and putting three shots on frame that were saved by Berkeley's Victor Bautista. As it has all season, the JWU defense answered the bell, holding the Knights to just four first half shots, and only nine total in the match.

JWU had several legitimate scoring chances in the second half, as nine of their thirteen shots were on frame. Bautista and his Knights teammates would not yield, however, forcing twenty extra minutes.

Eugenio de la Parra Polina had the best threat in the overtime periods, as his volley from twenty five yards out sailed just high. 

Following 110 minutes of scoreless play, a penalty kick shootout would decide a winner. Each team converted their first two spot kicks in the shootout, with Tyler Morgan and Lucas Lesh scoring for the Wildcats. The teams each had a make and a miss in their third and fourth kicks, which left the score tied at three for the final round of penalties. Andrew Fanelli calmly deposited his kick in the back of the net, and Colin Starr saved the final Berkeley attempt, sending the Wildcats darting across the field in celebration.

For their outstanding play during the duration of the tournament, Dylan Steeves, Lucas Lesh, Evan Retzlaff, Colin Starr, and Andrew Fanelli were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Fanelli garnering Most Valuable Player honors.