The Tommies' DI Ascent: 7 Key Takeaways From The St. Thomas Men's Soccer 2025 Season And Beyond

The University of St. Thomas Men's Soccer program is no longer a Division I newcomer; it is a force on the rise. As of late December 2025, the Tommies have capped off their most successful Division I season to date, narrowly missing the Summit League playoffs but establishing a new benchmark for the program’s upward trajectory. This impressive run, highlighted by a program-best six Summit League post-season accolades, signals a decisive shift from transition phase to competitive contender in the collegiate soccer landscape. The team’s strong non-conference performance and ability to compete with top-tier opponents like the Denver Pioneers have set the stage for a monumental 2026 season. The 2025 campaign, under the experienced leadership of Head Coach Jon Lowery, saw the Tommies finish with a commendable 7-5-5 overall record, including a strong finish at their home venue, South Field, where they went unbeaten. This success is built on a foundation of international talent and a cohesive team dynamic that promises to pay dividends in the highly competitive Summit League in the years to come.

The Architects of Ascent: Coach Jon Lowery and the 2025 Roster's Core

The St. Thomas Tommies Men's Soccer program's rapid development in the Division I ranks is a direct result of strategic coaching and exceptional individual performances. Head Coach Jon Lowery, a veteran of the collegiate game, has successfully navigated the challenging transition from Division III to DI, instilling a winning culture and attracting high-caliber talent to St. Paul, Minnesota.

Head Coach Jon Lowery: A Profile

• Full Name: Jon Lowery
• Current Role: Head Coach, St. Thomas Men's Soccer
• Tenure: Entering his 14th season as head coach for the program (as of the 2025 season).
• Program History: Lowery is only the fourth head coach in the history of the St. Thomas soccer program.
• Milestone: Coached his 200th game with St. Thomas during the 2022 season.
• DI Transition Success: Has overseen the program's full transition to NCAA Division I status and membership in the Summit League.
• Coaching Staff: Lowery is assisted by Cody Cropper.

Key Player Entities & Summit League Accolades (2025)

The 2025 season was a breakout year for individual recognition, with the Tommies earning a program-best six Summit League post-season accolades. Four different players were recognized across the All-Summit League teams, highlighting the balanced talent on the roster.

Notable 2025 Roster Members:

• Mathis Guffroy: A key offensive threat and a Summit League Offensive Player to Watch. He secured one of the team's first goals in a significant 4-0 victory.
• Yanis Lakhlifi: A consistent scoring threat, Lakhlifi notched his sixth goal during a crucial late-season match against the high-quality Denver Pioneers.
• Jorge Pacheco: A vital playmaker who led the team in assists during the 2024 season with three, and was named a Returning Player to Watch for the 2025 season.
• Moritz Krenc: Listed on the 2025 Roster, a part of the international influx of talent.
• Simon Klevberg: A defensive or midfield anchor on the 2025 Roster.
• Gunnar Busch: A consistent presence on the 2025 Roster.
• Miles Akhigbe & Merrick Schaefer: Two more key figures contributing to the team's depth and success in 2025.
• Joao Saraiva: Part of the strong core listed on the 2025 Roster.

The 2025 Season: A Near-Miss and a Program-Defining Moment

The 2025 St. Thomas Men's Soccer season will be remembered as the year the Tommies truly arrived in Division I. The team's overall record of 7-5-5 demonstrated a significant leap in competitiveness, especially when compared to their 4-10-2 record from the previous 2024 season.

The Summit League Gauntlet

The Summit League schedule remains a formidable challenge, but the Tommies showed marked improvement. They finished the 2025 conference slate with a 1-3-2 record, a slight improvement from the previous 1-7-0 league finish. The team's resilience was on full display in their final home game, where they worked a 1-1 draw against the perennial powerhouse Denver Pioneers, a result that underscored their ability to compete with the league's best. The Tommies finished "an eyelash away" from securing their first-ever Summit League tournament appearance, a testament to how close they were to achieving a major program milestone. To qualify, St. Thomas needed a win over Denver and a favorable result from the Oral Roberts match, ultimately falling short but proving they are on the cusp of a breakthrough.

Non-Conference Success and International Talent

Coach Lowery's strategy for the 2025 campaign included a competitive non-conference slate of 11 games, designed to prepare the squad for the rigor of Summit League play. The team opened the season at home against the Presbyterian Blue Hose, a key non-conference match that set the tone for the early success. The roster's strength is increasingly drawn from international recruiting, which has injected significant talent and tactical depth into the team. Players like Mathis Guffroy and Yanis Lakhlifi, among others, have provided the technical skill and experience necessary to thrive at the Division I level. Their integration is a crucial factor in the team's ability to secure wins and draw against high-quality opponents.

What's Next: The 2026 Season and The Playoff Push

The momentum generated in the 2025 season sets an extremely high expectation for the next campaign. The focus for the St. Thomas Men's Soccer program will now shift entirely to securing that elusive first Summit League tournament berth.

Strategic Focus Areas

1. Converting Draws to Wins:

The 7-5-5 record in 2025 indicates a team that is hard to beat, but the five draws suggest an area for improvement. Converting just one or two of those draws into wins would have easily secured a playoff spot. The team will need to focus on late-game execution and finding the decisive goal, a critical factor in the tight margins of collegiate soccer.

2. Sustaining Summit League Momentum:

• Swat Cancellation Status The Shocking Timeline Of Its Final Season And Spin Off Future 7nean

While the overall record was strong, the 1-3-2 conference record still leaves room for growth. Consistency against league opponents, especially on the road, will be paramount. The Tommies have shown they can compete with teams like Denver, now the challenge is to secure victories against the middle and lower tiers of the Summit League table.

3. Leveraging Home Field Advantage:

Finishing the 2025 season unbeaten at South Field is a massive psychological advantage. The team must continue to make their home pitch a fortress, which will be essential for picking up crucial conference points in the 2026 schedule. The University of St. Thomas Men's Soccer team is positioned for a historic breakthrough. With an established coach, a core of proven talent, and the experience of a program-best season, the Tommies are no longer just looking to survive in DI; they are actively preparing to dominate. The 2026 season promises to be the culmination of years of hard work, with the Summit League Playoffs firmly in their sights.

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