PEORIA, IL (OCT. 17, 2025) – Ruben Resendes, who managed Peoria City through the club’s inaugural season in 2022, continues to shine in the college game and is leading Bryant to a historic season. With Resendes directing the play, Bryant (12-0-1) has climbed to the No. 2 national ranking in this week’s United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I poll and the Bulldogs will carry the nation’s longest active winning streak (12 games) into Saturday night’s matchup at Binghamton.
While Bryant already boasts wins against No. 22 UConn (4-1) and No. 20 UMass (1-0), the Bulldogs still have a matchup against No. 5 Princeton Tuesday before taking on defending national champion and current No. 7 Vermont Oct. 25.
In his lone season with Peoria City, Resendes led the 2022 USL League Two expansion franchise to a 6-3-4 overall record and a runner-up finish in the Deep North Division to earn a playoffs bid in the club’s first season. He returned to his college position at Franklin Pearce and led the Ravens to the 2022 NCAA Division II national championship.
Resendes was named the head coach at Bryant ahead of the 2023 season, inheriting a team that had produced a 3-10-1 record in 2022. He immediately turned the program around, producing a 16-2-2 record in 2023, winning the America East championship and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. In his third season, Resendes now has led the Bulldogs to a 38-8-7 (.783) cumulative record.
In addition to Resendes’ success at Bryant, a number of Peoria City alumni are enjoying solid collegiate seasons across the country:
Drew Berry (2025) – Bradley
The senior goalkeeper leads the Missouri Valley Conference with 1170 minutes played and 66 saves.
Quentin Blair (2025) – Saint Louis
Following his transfer from Loyola Chicago, Blair leads the Saint Louis field players with 1125 minutes played from his defensive position and he has helped the Billikens (7-2-4, 4-0-1) challenge for the top spot in the Atlantic 10 Conference table. Blair was named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Week Monday after leading the defensive effort that combined to limit George Washington and VCU to one shot on goal in the two shutout victories last week.
Mitch Coughlon (2023, 2025) – Bradley
Leads the Braves in scoring with 12 points through 13 games and his six goals are tied for third in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Charlie Dickerson (2024, 2025) – Providence
In his lone season at Providence (4-6-1, 2-2-0 Big East) after transferring from Bradley, Dickerson has anchored the Friars defensive group by playing all 990 minutes through the season’s first 11 games. Providence will visit DePaul Nov. 1.
Lucas Fontana (2023, 2024, 2025) – Clarke
After transferring from Chicago State for his final year of collegiate eligibility, Fontana has started 12 of Clarke’s 13 games this fall, recording 54 saves and four shutouts.
Wes Gibson (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) – SIU Edwardsville
The veteran defender helped the Cougars to a fourth consecutive victory Thursday night versus then league-leading Houston Baptist, 1-0. The fifth-year senior at SIUE is preparing for Sunday’s Senior Day Game versus UIW at Ralph Korte Stadium.
Jose Gomez (2024, 2025) – Northern Illinois
Gomez has started all 11 games for the Huskies (5-3-3, 1-0-2 MVC) and the midfielder is second on the team in minutes played (928) and is tied for second with three assists.
Alfonso Gonzalez (2025) – Clarke
A starter in every game this fall, Gonzalez is the only player to appear in all 13 games for Clarke and he shares the team lead with a pair of assists from his midfield position.
Noah Grieshaber (2024, 2025) – UW-Stevens Point
A first-year freshman at NCAA Division II UW-Stevens Point, Grieshaber has allowed just one goal in his four appearances, posting a 0.37 goals against average and .900 saves percentage in his 242 minutes.
Daniel Happach (2024, 2025) – Illinois College
The No. 2 keeper at Illinois College, Happach is undefeated (3-0-2) in his six starts, posting a 0.38 goals against average in his 478 minutes played.
DJ Koulai (2024, 2025) – Bradley
Tied for second on the team with seven points, Koulai shares the team lead with three assists, which also are tied for sixth-most in The Valley.
Grant Locker (2025) – Marquette
In his 11 games played at Marquette, Locker owns a goal and two assists, including a helper in an exciting, 5-4 win against UIC Oct. 7, in the first loss of the year for the Flames (8-1-3, 1-0-2 MVC).
Joel McIntyre (2024, 2025) – Western Illinois
A junior defender, McIntyre has logged 1183 minutes through 16 games for the Leathernecks.
Hector Medrano (2025) – Clarke
The senior forward shares the team lead with four goals this fall and he leads the team with two game-winning tallies.
Fritz Volmar (2024, 2025) – Northwestern
The junior defender has played every minute of the season, helping the Wildcats to a 6-4-2 record heading into tonight’s game at Penn State.
Keegan Walker (2025) – Green Bay
Walker is Green Bay’s leading scorer with eight points on three goals and two assists. He assisted Noah Madrigal’s tying goal in an eventual, 2-1 loss to Milwaukee in Green Bay’s last game.