Golden Eagles men’s soccer nails championship, lands at nationals

The NAIA National Championship Opening held on November 20 marked a major milestone for the Golden Eagles men’s soccer program on the national stage. It was preceded by the team’s 2-0 win on November 11 against Benedictine Mesa University, capping a nine-game winning streak for the season.

On December 2, La Sierra University faculty and staff welcomed the players home with a celebration and photos under a congratulatory banner on Founders’ Green.

Head Coach David Trevino, recently named GSAC Coach of the Year, credits the team’s success to the culture they’ve built since the first day of preseason. “Their humility and talent is what really brought them together and got us to this point,” Trevino said. “We work for each other and stay disciplined in our system. That’s carried us all season.” During a difficult part of the season, the team kept their composure and focused on playing smart and staying disciplined, which helped them rise above every opponent in the conference.”

Players themselves captured the excitement and emotion behind the historic victory. Graduate student midfielder Elias Quintanar Macias reflected on the moment, saying, “When that final whistle blew, the feeling was absolutely ecstatic. After everything we’ve pushed through the season, that moment meant everything to us and to everyone who supported us.”

Quintanar Macias described the season as one defined by growth, resilience, and trust, while senior defenders, Christopher Aceves and Jose Alcala, emphasized the team’s chemistry and the closeness that carried them through the season. “Our chemistry works because we’re all humble, team-oriented, and genuinely close off the field,” Aceves said. Alcala added, “We hang out after practice, crack jokes, eat together - stuff like that helps build trust.” Together, that closeness and discipline became the backbone of a championship team.

Winning the GSAC title means more than adding a trophy to a case, it places La Sierra on the national stage. As a program ranked 50th in the nation, breaking into the NAIA Championship field marks a major step forward in establishing the Golden Eagles as a competitive national presence. 

The season highlighted standout performance to the program, including GSAC Player of the Year honors for Sean Palena and GSAC Newcomer of the Year for Quintanar Macias. These honors highlight both individual talent and the team’s shared commitment to growth.

As the Golden Eagles stepped onto the national stage, they carried a culture strengthened by belief, and a university proud of their achievements. “Playing for something this big doesn't happen for everyone. Qualifying for nationals is special, and I’m just trying to cherish every moment,” Macias said.

With their GSAC title now in the books, this historic season also marks the beginning of a bigger journey for the team, one that continues to aim for future success and opportunities to leave their mark on the national platform.