Indian Hills, Iowa Western Recognize All-Region Honors for Division I Men's Soccer

The ICCAC Division I Men's Soccer All-Region and special awards were announced Friday. It was another battle between Iowa Western and Indian Hills this season as the teams faced each other four times prior to the national tournament. After trading blows, the Reivers prevailed to capture the Region 11 title on goal differential (+1). Indian Hills finished ranked No. 10 in the NJCAA after enduring one of the toughest schedules in the country.

Both Iowa Western and Indian Hills are Florida-bound for the NJCAA National Tournament, with the Reivers earning the No. 2 seed. The Warriors earned an at-large bid and were placed as the No. 7 seed.

Postseason awards were highlighted by Caden Johnson, an Iowa Western defender who was named the ICCAC Division I Men's Soccer Player of the Year. Johnson anchored a stalwart Reivers back line that ranked in the NJCAA's top 10 with seven shutouts, while also contributing four assists on the season.

Joining Johnson on All-Region is his partner on the backline, Nathan Karangawa. Along with anchoring one of the nation's best defenses, Karangawa also scored twice and assisted six goals.

Three key players from Iowa Western round out the Reivers' selections, all of whom play major roles in one of the NJCAA's top-five offenses.

In midfield, Efraims Valutadatils was tied for fourth in the NJCAA in assists with 12, adding two goals of his own.

Up front, Hayato Takayama and Angel Lopez powered the attack. Takayama finished with six goals and five assists. Lopez led the Reivers in scoring with 12 goals and reached double digits in assists with 10.

Indian Hills placed six players on the All-Region list. In the midfield, four Warriors earned selections.

Joseph Redmond scored seven goals and added three assists, including two game-winners. Diego Lazaro scored five and assisted five while starting nearly every match. Fabian Arroyo added three goals and five assists with 60% of his shots on target. Allesandro Peruz controlled the middle of the park, scoring twice and adding an assist.

On the backline, Vittorio Bellesi was a standout defender and contributed offensively with two goals and two assists.

Wrapping up the Warriors' honorees is goalkeeper Matteo Malaguti. Malaguti started 14 games and played more than 1,100 minutes, making 29 saves and earning six wins against elite competition.

To finish out the special awards, Iowa Western coach Mike Brown was named the ICCAC Division I Men's Soccer Coach of the Year. Brown guided the Reivers back to the national tournament again this season after winning the region and district championships. Iowa Western enters nationals at 13-1-5.

2025 Division I Men's Soccer All-Region

Player of the Year: Caden Johnson, Iowa Western

Coach of the Year: Mike Brown, Iowa Western