Men’s Soccer Matches Program Record for All-SLIAC Honorees
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Three members of the Eureka men's soccer team earned SLIAC All-Conference honors, tying the program record for the most All-Conference representatives in a single season, the league announced on Tuesday morning.
It marks just the fourth time in program history that Eureka has placed three players on the All-SLIAC Team, joining the 2009, 2015, and 2022 squads.
Michael DeCarlo (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) was named to the All-SLIAC Second Team after playing a key role on both ends of the field for the Red Devils. The outside back helped anchor the Eureka defense while also contributing to the attack.
After missing time early in the season due to injury, DeCarlo returned to the starting lineup and became a consistent presence down the stretch, helping the Red Devils go 3-1-1 in their final five regular season matches to clinch a berth in the SLIAC Tournament.
DeCarlo becomes just the fifth player in program history to earn Second Team honors, joining Brian O'Malley (2009), Cody Halstead (2010), Khalil Alleyne (2022), and Isaac Noriega (2023).
Tristan Martinez (Flowery Branch, Ga./Cherokee Bluff) earned a spot on the All-SLIAC Third Team following an impressive debut season with the Red Devils. The defensive midfielder started all 20 matches, tying the program record for most matches played in a single season, and was a steady presence in the middle of the field.
Martinez also contributed offensively, recording a goal and an assist in Eureka's 4-1 win over Spalding on Sept. 21.
Joyce Kabesa (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) was also named to the All-SLIAC Third Team after a breakout season that ranked among the best in program history. Kabesa finished the year tied for second in the SLIAC in goals (11) and sixth all-time at Eureka for single-season goals, the most by a Red Devil since 2016.
He also climbed into a tie for sixth in program history in career goals (17), scoring hat tricks against Kuyper (Aug. 29) and Franklin (Sept. 6) and delivering game-winning goals against Maranatha Baptist (Sept. 16) and MUW (Oct. 26).
In addition to Eureka's All-Conference honorees, Jacob Adamson (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) represented the Red Devils on the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.