Future V-Hawk,
 

I hope this message finds you well! I’m excited to share information about Viterbo University’s men’s soccer program, our academics, and everything we offer student-athletes.

We are entering our fourth season in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) with unfinished business. Our program has been on a steady rise, finishing 8th in our first year, climbing to 4th in our second, and reaching 2nd last season while advancing to the conference tournament final.

As we continue building toward a championship standard, our focus is clear: winning the conference, winning the conference tournament, and qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament. We were one game away last season, and we are looking for driven and committed players who can help us take the final step and finish what we have started.

Below you will find more detailed information about Viterbo University, our Men’s Soccer program, and the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Roberto A Yepez | Head Coach

Viterbo University Academics

Viterbo University is a private Catholic university located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. One of the best things about Viterbo University is its commitment to providing a values-based education that emphasizes both academic excellence and personal growth. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, healthcare, music, and the arts.

Additionally, Viterbo University has a strong reputation for providing its students with personalized attention and support. The university has a low student-to-faculty ratio, which means that students have the opportunity to work closely with their professors and receive individualized guidance and mentorship. The campus is also known for its tight-knit community, where students and faculty work collaboratively to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Many students appreciate the university's commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and individualized support.

Viterbo University offers a range of career preparation services, including internships, career fairs, and networking events, that help students to develop the skills and experiences they need to succeed in the job market. The university has a strong reputation for producing graduates who are well-prepared for their chosen careers.

Our Majors

Viterbo University provides a variety of majors and study programs, with over 40 options to choose from, including Business, Nursing, Engineering, and others. We take pride in our graduates' 100% placement rate within 6 months of graduation, as well as the availability of 1,539 distinct courses.

To view a complete list of our degree programs and offerings, please click the following links:

Our Location: La Crosse, WI

La Crosse is a rising tourist destination, blessed with natural beauty spanning from the hills to the Mississippi river. It has been recognized as the 19th best college town in the United States. For a panoramic view of the tri-state area, visitors can climb to the top of the 600-ft. peak of Grandad Bluff. Food lovers can indulge in a plethora of options, from grabbing a slice of pizza at Polito's to dining at one of the numerous restaurants downtown. Students can enjoy discounts at over 80 locations with an ID, including $5 Thursday movie nights at Marcus La Crosse Cinema, a popular choice. La Crosse is also renowned as a Bicycle Friendly Community, boasting over 100 miles of well-maintained bike paths and lanes in the area, earning a silver-level designation.

Our Campus

Viterbo University’s campus is a vibrant, welcoming space nestled in the heart of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The campus blends modern amenities with historic charm, offering a supportive environment for academic growth and personal development. Beautiful, tree-lined pathways and green spaces create a serene atmosphere, perfect for students to relax and engage with their peers.

The campus is conveniently located just a short walk away from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Western Technical College, offering students access to additional academic and social opportunities. Viterbo is also within close proximity to downtown La Crosse, where students can explore local shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Key facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, athletic fields, and performance spaces like the Fine Arts Center, home to a variety of cultural events and performances. The university also features comfortable residence halls, dining options, and study areas designed to foster collaboration and learning.

Surrounded by the picturesque Mississippi River and scenic bluffs, the campus offers the perfect balance of natural beauty, modern convenience, and an ideal location for students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

V-Hawk Men's Soccer

The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) was established in 1927 and currently includes 10 member institutions located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

In men's soccer, the CCAC is known for its competitive level of play and has a strong reputation for producing top-performing teams. The conference tournament champion earns an automatic bid to the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.

Viterbo University Men's Soccer is a growing program with recent success.

2025-2026 Season Review

The 2025–2026 season was Viterbo’s third year in the CCAC and our most successful yet. The V-Hawks finished 12-6-2 overall and 7-3 in conference play, earning the No. 2 seed and reaching the CCAC Tournament Final for the first time.

The season included several historic and momentum-shifting results, such as a 2-1 win over Carleton College that ended a winless streak dating back to 1994, and a 2-1 victory over UW–Stevens Point that snapped their five-match winning streak. Conference play opened with the program’s first-ever win over St. Xavier in CCAC competition, followed by a dominant 6-1 performance against an 8-1 St. Ambrose team. A dramatic last-minute goal secured a 1-0 win over Holy Cross, handing them their first conference loss.

In the conference tournament, Viterbo defeated Governors State 4-2 and earned a golden goal win over St. Xavier in the semifinal to reach the CCAC Final, ultimately falling to No. 22 Olivet Nazarene.

Style of Play

We look to play high energy, dominant, attacking football. In a 1-4-2-3-1 formation, it is important that we control the tempo of the game, possession of the game, and be efficient in the final third. We want or outside backs to make overlapping runs to create overload out wide. Our center backs and goalkeeper are crucial to help us break the first time of pressure. Once we break the first line of pressure, our center midfielders will read pressure to combine and progress play forward. We are proactive defensively in order to press the opponent as soon as we lose possession and win the ball back high up the field.

Fall Season

Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec

All college soccer is played in the Fall season. Move in and preseason is usually the first full week of August. during the preseason, we play up to 2 scrimmages and start our non-conference season. On the 3rd full week of August, new student orientation begins in preparation for classes to start the following week. We typically have a midweek game and a weekend game every week for the rest of the season. The conference tournament starts the first week of November and the national tournament final-site is played during the first week of December.

One notable difference at the NAIA level is the broader age range of players. You'll find a diverse mix of soccer backgrounds, with athletes ranging from former professional players (including those with national team experience) to pro academy players, as well as club and high school-level players.

Another key distinction is the freedom NAIA programs have during the off-season. Unlike the NCAA, the NAIA does not impose strict hour limits on training, allowing for greater flexibility in team development. The NAIA season runs for 24 weeks, typically split into 12 weeks during the fall and 12 weeks in the spring semester.

Given the diverse range of backgrounds and ages within the NAIA, we offer a Reserve program to help players transition smoothly into college soccer. This program provides a supportive, development-focused environment where athletes can adjust to the speed of play, physicality, and fitness demands of collegiate soccer. The Reserve team competes in multiple matches against top NCAA DIII schools and other NAIA Reserve programs, giving players valuable experience.

As players progress and are ready for the next challenge, they have the opportunity to move up to the first team. This system not only helps us develop players for the varsity squad but also enhances the level of competition within our program.

Winter Season

Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Once the fall season is over, the team captains organize open futsal and players begin their individual weight routine. After the holiday break, the team regroups to begin our intersquad futsal league and team strength training program. During this time, we are in the weight room 3 days a week and have futsal games 2 times a week. 

Spring Season

Mar, April, May

Once the weather is nice enough to return outside, we end our futsal league and begin training 5 times a week outside. During this time, we continue with our weight program 2 days a week. The spring allows us to tactically and technically prepare for the Fall season. We utilize at least 3 dates to play preparation matches. During this time, we have played NCAA DI, DI, DIII, NJCAA, and MLS Next opponents. 

Athletic Facilities

Men's Soccer Staff

Ben Olson (GK Coach), Santiago Tellez (Assistant), Ernesto Ascenzo (GK Coach), Roberto Yepez (Head Coach), Damian Meza (Head Reserve and First Team Assistant Coach), Chad Gilbeck (Team Chaplin), Alex Forseth (Assistant Coach)