Historic Season for Central Penn College Men’s Soccer: ESAC Champions and National Runner-Up

November 25, 2024

SUMMERDALE, Pa

The 2024 Central Penn College men’s soccer team delivered a season for the record books, achieving milestones that showcased their hard work, talent, and determination. Finishing with a remarkable 14-0 overall record and an undefeated 8-0 mark in Eastern States Athletic Conference (ESAC) play, the team claimed its first-ever ESAC Conference Championship and reached new heights in the USCAA National Championship Tournament.

Their journey to the USCAA National Championship match included two thrilling victories, but the team ultimately fell short in a hard-fought final against Central Maine CC, finishing as the national runner-up. Despite the narrow defeat, the season was nothing short of extraordinary.

Key Milestones

  • Regular Season Dominance: Central Penn College went undefeated in conference play (8-0), demonstrating skill and consistency.
  • ESAC Championship Glory: A 2-0 victory over Manor in the championship match secured the program’s first ESAC title.
  • USCAA National Tournament Success: The team won two games, including an overtime thriller against Penn State New Kensington, before competing in their first-ever National Championship final.

Individual Achievements

Several Knights were recognized for their stellar performances:

  • Donnie Powell:
    • 1st Team USCAA All-American
    • 1st Team ESAC All-Conference
    • ESAC Conference Player of the Year
  • Chris Saboe-More:
    • 1st Team USCAA All-American
    • 1st Team ESAC All-Conference
  • Matt Wheaton:
    • 2nd Team USCAA All-American
    • 1st Team ESAC All-Conference
  • Grant Bernstein:
    • Honorable Mention USCAA All-American
    • 1st Team ESAC All-Conference
  • Dylan Luong, Mark Haye, and Zach Sperlich:
    • 2nd Team ESAC All-Conference

Special Honors

Senior Tyler Daron exemplified the balance of athletics and academics, earning the prestigious title of USCAA 2024 National Student-Athlete of the Year. His achievements reflect the core values of Central Penn College.

Leadership Excellence

Head Coach Brian Osborne was instrumental in the team’s success, earning 2024 ESAC Coach of the Year honors. This follows his recognition as 2023 ESAC Coach of the Year and 2023 USCAA National Coach of the Year. His leadership has set a new standard for the program.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 Central Penn College men’s soccer team has raised the bar for future seasons, and the best part? This talented roster is just getting started. With 16 freshmen and 6 sophomores making up the squad, the team’s success was driven by a remarkably young core that will only get stronger with experience.

Standout performers like Donnie Powell, Chris Saboe-Moore, Grant Bernstein, Matt Wheaton, and many others are poised to return, bringing with them invaluable lessons from a historic season. The depth of talent across all positions ensures that the Knights are well-positioned to build on their success and make another run at a national championship.

With a championship mindset, an incredible foundation, and the majority of the team returning, the future looks incredibly bright for Central Penn College soccer. The Knights have proven they belong on the national stage—and they’re just getting started.