DALTON, Ga. — By the time the final whistle blew in West Palm Beach, the Roadrunners had authored another season worthy of a defending national champion, one defined by standard-setting expectations, mid-season grit, and a postseason that asked for one more response.
 
THE BAR: THE RED BANNER
Twelve months earlier, Dalton State captured the program's first NAIA national championship, finishing an unbeaten 22-0-2 and winning the title on penalties over William Penn (Iowa), an historic run that saw the Birds go five matches at the final site without conceding a goal.

That Red Banner set the tone for 2025, and the preseason reflected it: the Birds opened No. 1 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll and were again framed as the pace-setter nationally.
 
NEW SEASON, SAME STANDARD
Dalton State started 2025 by rolling through the Dalton Classic and early non-conference play, opening 4–0–1 with wins over Brescia (Ky.), Campbellsville (Ky.), Bryan (Tenn.) and Union (Ky.), then a draw against Florida College.

By October 2, the Roadrunners were still the nation's top-ranked team after a 1–1 draw at Faulkner (Ala.) and a 6–1 statement at Point (Ga.).
 
SSAC GAUNTLET: TIGHT MARGINS, TIMELY MOMENTS
SSAC play delivered exactly what it promised: razor-thin matches decided by details. The Birds split points at Mobile (Ala.) (1–1) and battled to a scoreless draw at then-No. 7 William Carey (Miss.) in Hattiesburg, a defensive showcase that previewed the postseason's grind.

A 1-0 rivalry loss to No. 12 Life (Ga.) on Oct. 26 tightened the table, but four days later Dalton State punched back, grinding out a 1–0 overtime win at UT Southern (Tenn.) to reach the SSAC semifinals.

That quarterfinal in Pulaski, Tenn. produced one of the year's defining moments: Sergej Misic's golden goal at 94:56.
 
POSTSEASON: TWO BRACKETS, TWO DIFFERENT ENDINGS
In Montgomery, Ala., Life (Ga.) again proved clinical, capitalizing early in each half to edge the Birds 2–0 in the SSAC semifinal.

The body of work still earned Dalton State an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championship, the program's seventh straight national tournament appearance.

In West Palm Beach, Fla., Warner Pacific (Ore.) struck in each half to end the title defense 2–0, despite a 15–14 shots edge and a late push from the Birds.
 
RECORD & RESULTS AT A GLANCE
Dalton State finished 9–4–5 overall and 3–2–4 in SSAC play, going 5–2–2 at home, 4–0–3 away, and 0–2 at neutral sites.

Across 18 matches, the Roadrunners outscored opponents 35–17, averaged 14.3 shots and 1.94 goals per match, and posted a 0.98 team GAA.
 
THE HEADLINE ACT: MISIC, ON REPEATY
Junior winger Sergej Misic authored a season-long star turn: 17 goals, 5 game-winners, and a relentless threat across the front line.

His impact was recognized throughout the fall, multiple SSAC Offensive Player of the Week honors and, ultimately, SSAC Newcomer of the Year.

And when the Birds needed him most in the SSAC quarters at UT Southern (Tenn.), Misic supplied the decisive extra-time finish to send Dalton State to Montgomery.
 
THE SPINE: EDGE IN BOTH BOXES
Defensively, Dalton State's organization remained a calling card. The Birds limited opponents to 0.94 goals per game, with keepers Nestor Mendez (0.93 GAA, .791 save%) and Bernardo Manzano (1.13 GAA) sharing the load across key stretches.

The back line's defining day came at William Carey, 90 minutes of discipline in a hostile setting for a 0–0 road result.
 
THE SUPPORTING CAST THAT KEPT THE ENGINE RUNNING
First-year forward Jonathan Hernandez gave Dalton State a secondary scoring punch with 6 goals and 10 SOG, while midfielder Jesús Huitanda (3G/4A) and creator Sohail Ebrahimi (2G/3A) drove chance creation.

Captain-caliber contributors Luis Carrasco (2G; First-Team All-SSAC) and Hugo Martinez (Second-Team All-SSAC & Champions of Character) set the defensive tone and standards of discipline.
 
HONORS & ACADEMICS: STANDARDS BEYONE THE SCOREBOARD
The SSAC postseason ledger told the story: Misic (Newcomer of the Year, First-Team All-SSAC), Jaime Mendiola (First-Team All-SSAC), Luis Carrasco (First-Team All-SSAC), Huitanda (Second-Team), Martinez (Second-Team/Champions of Character).
Carrasco capped the semester with CSC Academic All-District recognition, underscoring the program's classroom profile.
 
SENIOR STEWARDSHIP & A PASSING TORCH
Senior midfielder Jaime Mendiola started 11 matches and anchored the team's shape in key conference fixtures, adding poise to possession and a late-season All-Tournament nod.
Local standout Nestor Mendez and Bernardo Manzano contributed in goal and the defensive unit.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Overall: 9–4–5 | SSAC: 3–2–4 | GF/GA: 35/17 | Team GAA: 0.98.
• Top Scorer: Sergej Misic, 17 goals (5 GWG).
• Shot Creation: 257 shots (119 on frame), 86 corners.
• GK Ledger: Mendez 0.93 GAA (.791); Manzano 1.13 GAA.

PERSPECTIVE, THEN FORWARD
The arc of 2025 felt fitting for a program that raised its first red banner in 2024: an August No. 1 ranking, a fall spent navigating a brutal SSAC slate, and November soccer on the national stage, again.

The final bracket didn't end the way the Birds envisioned, but the identity holds: organized, relentless, and built to play meaningful minutes in November.
 
SEASON TIMELINE

• Aug. 26 — Preseason No. 1 in NAIA Coaches' Poll.
• Aug. 21–31 — 4–0–0 home start (Brescia (Ky.), Campbellsville (Ky.), Bryan (Tenn.), Union (Ky.)).
• Sept. 18 & 21 — 1–1 at Faulkner (Ala.), 6–1 at Point (Ga.).
• Oct. 2 — DS remains No. 1.
• Oct. 18 — 0–0 at No. 7 William Carey (Miss.).
• Oct. 26 — 0–1 vs No. 12 Life (Ga.) at Dalton Stadium.
• Oct. 30 — 1–0 (OT) at UT Southern (Tenn.) (SSAC Quarterfinal).
• Nov. 6 — 0–2 vs No. 10 Life (SSAC Semifinal, Montgomery, Ala.).
• Nov. 14 — Program's seventh straight NAIA berth announced.
• Nov. 20 — 0–2 vs Warner Pacific (Ore.) (NAIA Opening Round, West Palm Beach, Fla.).

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