KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the second time in program history, Fort Hays State Men's Soccer has a national player of the year. United Soccer Coaches announced on Tuesday (Dec. 16) that
Elias Ovelar Semeniuk of Fort Hays State is the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Player of the Year after helping Fort Hays State to an undefeated regular season and its best overall record in program history at 20-1-3 overall.
Ovelar Semeniuk is the first United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year for FHSU, while Santiago Agudelo was the D2CCA Men's Soccer National Player of the Year back in 2018.
Ovelar Semeniuk was tabbed as an All-America First Team selection by both United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA in 2025. He was the GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Year and also the D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year. Also excelling in the classroom, Ovelar Semeniuk landed CSC Academic All-America honors as well.
Ovelar Semeniuk led the way for the nation's top scoring team in 2025, accumulating 35 points on his 15 goals and five assists for the season. He ranked second nationally in total goals, third in game-winning goals with six, and sixth in points. He helped the Tigers to both the GAC/MIAA Regular Season and Tournament titles in 2025, as well as the NCAA Super Region 3 title in the NCAA Tournament to reach the national semifinals. Ovelar Semeniuk headlined a deadly Tiger offense that led the nation in total goals (68), total points (200), and corner kicks per match (7.79), while ranking second in shots per match (18.21) and third in assists (64). The Tigers also led the nation in goal differential at +57 (68 goals, 11 goals allowed), indicating their dominance both offensively and defensively in 2025.
2025 United Soccer Coaches National Players of the Year
| AFFILIATION |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
| NCAA Division II Men |
Elias Ovelar Semeniuk |
Fort Hays State University |
| NCAA Division III Men |
Adam Knutson |
Trinity University (Texas) |
| NCAA Division II Women |
Sarah Batchadji |
Florida Tech |
| NCAA Division III Women |
Olivia Clemons |
Washington University (Mo.) |
| Junior College Division I Men |
Lazzar Ramos |
Mohave College |
| Junior College Division II Men |
Cruzeiro Cruz |
Phoenix College |
| Junior College Division III Men |
Gustavo Arias |
Cerritos College |
| Junior College Division I Women |
Shaniel Buckley |
Daytona State College |
| Junior College Division II Women |
Sherline King |
Jones College |
| Junior College Division III Women |
Josie King |
Sierra College |
| NAIA Men |
Jack Thomas |
LSU Shreveport |
| NAIA Women |
Lauren Riley |
Keiser University |
The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Players of the Year will be announced on January 9, 2026, in St. Louis, Mo.
