Harry S Truman College Men’s Soccer Program, the Falcons, Extend Region 4 Dominance, Coach and Players Earn Top Honors

Photo credit: Todd Thomas
Photo credit: Todd Thomas

Harry S Truman College Men’s Soccer Program, the Falcons, Extend Region 4 Dominance, Coach and Players Earn Top Honors


Photo credit: Todd Thomas

 

Harry S Truman College proudly announces another historic year for its Men’s Soccer program, the Falcons, solidifying its position as one of the most successful community-college soccer teams in the nation. The Falcons have won the NJCAA Region 4 Championship for the third consecutive year—2023, 2024, and 2025—an achievement rarely matched in two-year collegiate athletics.


“What our Men’s Soccer team has accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary,” said President Shawn Jackson, Harry S Truman College. “To earn a Region 4 championship three years in a row places Truman College among the very best in the nation. But what makes this achievement truly special is the character of our students and their coach. They are remarkable people—resolute scholars, leaders on our campus, and outstanding athletes who represent the very best of what Truman stands for. We could not be prouder of their hard work, resilience, and commitment to excellence. Go Falcons!”


In addition to the team’s championship three-peat, Truman College is celebrating a sweep of major individual honors within NJCAA Region 4:

  • NJCAA Region 4 Division I Coach of the Year: Maciej Orlowski, awarded on December 1 and this marks Coach Orlowski’s third consecutive Coach of the Year title, underscoring his remarkable leadership and ability to consistently elevate the program.
  • NJCAA Region 4 Division I Player of the Year: Michael Makonese
    Announced December 1, Makonese’s recognition highlights his standout season and impact.
  • NJCAA Region 4 All-Region Team Selections:
    • Michael Makonese
    • Eduardo Ferragut
    • Nils Stodulka
    • Oliver Bewell
  • NJCAA Division I All-American Nominees(announced December 4)
    • Michael Makonese
    • Nils Stodulka

This year’s season began on August 23, 2025, and concluded in the District Quarterfinals on November 7, 2025, in Iowa, following an impressive run that once again places the Falcons among the nation’s top competitors.

 

The Falcon’s achievements stand out not only for their consistency but also for their rarity within the NJCAA. Sustained excellence in two-year college athletics is notoriously difficult. Despite challenges, Truman has built a model of stability, strategic recruiting, player development, and a high-performance culture.


“This year’s group found success because they trusted each other, worked for each other, and showed up every day with the right attitude. We’ve built a culture that attracts good players. A strong mix of talent who value honesty, development, and real competition,” said Coach Maciej Orlowski. “Our athletes come in hungry; our players bring pride and identity, and they understand the responsibility of being true student-athletes. We are all focused on building a deeper, tougher squad with one clear mission: reaching the national tournament. As I always say to our young men, ‘Talent sets the table, but hard work serves the meal’.”


A three-year Region 4 championship streak places Truman in elite company, as very few community colleges nationwide maintain this level of dominance across multiple seasons. Coach Orlowski’s three consecutive Coach of the Year awards are equally uncommon, reflecting national caliber coaching within a regional structure.


Individually, multiple All-Region selections and repeated All-American nominations signal that Truman is producing some of the best NJCAA Division I athletes in the country—talent levels more commonly associated with powerhouse programs in larger athletic departments.


Across NJCAA Region 4 and nationally, most community-college soccer programs experience cyclical success, but few sustain multi-year competitive dominance.

Compared to peer institutions:

  • Truman’s three straight Region 4 championships set it apart from programs that typically rotate among different annual contenders.
  • Truman’s consistent postseason advancement, including District-level appearances, places it among the upper tier of NJCAA Division I programs.
  • The concentration of awards—Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, four All-Region athletes, and multiple All-American nominations—is unmatched among most Region 4 community colleges, where such recognition is often distributed among several institutions.


Truman’s competitive trajectory and award-winning coaching staff are positioning the college as a benchmark program for two-year collegiate soccer.


About Harry S Truman College and its Athletic department 

Harry S Truman College is a vibrant and vital part of delivering high-quality, innovative, affordable and accessible educational opportunities and services. Truman College offers credit classes, continuing education classes, and the free Illinois High School Diploma and ESL classes, supporting students on their way to their educational and career goals. Truman is City Colleges’ center for excellence in education, human, and natural sciences, giving students the opportunity to become the best teachers by learning from the best teachers. Truman College offers a combination of certificates and associate degrees in fields tailored for many people first entering the education profession as well as for professionals in need of continuing education. Its athletic programs continue to grow in competitiveness and recognition, exemplified by the Men’s Soccer team, the Falcons, recent achievements.


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