Men’s soccer eyes first run at Region 5 Tournament in two years

For the first time in two years, the Hill College men’s soccer team is in a strong position to make a run at the Region 5 title. 

The Rebels have begun their second half of conference play. 

“Finishing the season strong means everything to us,” Hill College Head Men’s Soccer Coach Ivan Franco said. “We’re aware that how you finish is more important than how you start...and we’ve had a great start going 2-0 in the opening Region 5 games, scoring three goals and conceding none. But we haven’t yet clinched a spot in the conference final, but with one more point in the next two games we can clinch that spot. The guys have showed resilience and grit." 

After beginning the 2025 season with losses to national perennials Coastal Bend College and Blinn College, the Rebels have gone 7-0-1 in their last eight games. Also, the Rebels have scored a total of 25 goals off 74 attempts in their first 10 games of the season. 

Kevin Mejia leads all Rebels in scoring with 12 goals and 3 assists so far this season. Teammate Alejandro Ibarra has 5 goals and 2 assists. 

Franco said although his team was battletested during the first half of conference play, he emphasized to never underestimate the competition throughout the remainder of the season. 

“The intensity for the final two games against Ranger and Western Texas must be higher than it’s ever been so far this season,” Franco said. “We treated the first two games like they were championship matches, from start to finish. We’re aware that in this conference, every game means a little more than most regions, and there’s no room for error with only playing four conference games a year.”  

Franco also said the team’s mindset for the final two games will be the same as it’s been since Aug. 1. 

“The ‘All or Nothing’ and ‘Hill vs. Everybody’ mindsets have prepared us for just about anything so far,” he added. “Everyone needs to be focused and locked in.” 

The 2025 NJCAA Region 5 Men’s Soccer Tournament will be Oct. 29 at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. 

For more information on the Hill College men's soccer program, please visit https://hillcollegeathletics.com.