Men's Soccer Thursday, November 13, 2025 NWC Athletic Communications

Four Raiders Highlight All-GPAC First Team; Swier Named Coach of the Year

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) announced its men's soccer all-conference teams, with eight Raiders receiving All-GPAC distinction. Four Northwestern athletes were selected to the First Team, and head coach Dan Swier was named the GPAC Coach of the Year.

Dan Swier – GPAC Coach of the Year
Earning GPAC Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his career, Swier took a young team and made them into the 2025 GPAC regular season champions. Under his direction, Northwestern posted a 13-2-3 overall record, going 8-1-1 in conference play. The Raiders compiled eight shutouts on the year, dished out 43 assists, and had the best goals against average in the conference (0.72).

Drew Darnold – First Team (Forward)
A sophomore from Papillion, Nebraska, Darnold had a breakout season, scoring 15 goals and dishing out three assists. His goals total was second in the conference, and his 33 points was good for third in the GPAC. Darnold netted two hat tricks on the year as part of four multi-goal performances. He was named GPAC Offensive Player of the Week three times and was once named NAIA Offensive Player of the Week.

"Drew had a break-out season, scoring both regularly and in bunches. He accumulated 5 game-winning goals and two hat-tricks. I am very proud of his performances on the field this fall."

Jannes Kuehn – First Team (Midfielder)
Kuehn was a steady presence in the midfield, scoring four goals and tallying four assists for 12 points this season. The sophomore from Leipzig, Germany scored two game-winning goals, putting the Raiders ahead in a 1-0 win over Dakota Wesleyan and a 3-2 win at Briar Cliff. Kuehn receives All-GPAC honors for the second time in his career after being named an honorable mention in 2024.

"Jannes had a great season, scoring 4 goals and providing 4 assists. Of his 8 goal contributions, 4 of them were game-winners. He also established himself as a leader in our program this fall, which was great to see."

Gorka Ilundain – First Team (Defender)
Ilundain played over 1400 minutes on a Raiders back line that allowed 0.72 goals per game. His defensive presence helped Northwestern allow only 8.3 shots per game. A freshman from Pamplona, Spain, Ilundain scored his first career goal on September 6 against Avila (Mo.) and had a pair of assists on the year.

"Gorka played a huge role for us, coming in as a freshman and establishing himself as a key player. He had a huge part to play in our GPAC-leading goals against average this season."

Edoardo Alessandrini – First Team (Goalkeeper)
The GPAC leader in goals against average (0.78), Alessandrini made an immediate impact in his first season in a Red Raider uniform. The junior from Rome, Italy secured 12 wins in goal, collecting 46 saves on the season. He was also second in the GPAC in goals allowed (13) and was third in save percentage (.780).

"Edo led the GPAC in goals against average this season. We could count on him to make at least one match-defining save each time he stepped onto the field. His leadership was also critical to our success as a team this season."

Diego Quintero – Second Team (Midfielder)
Earning All-GPAC honors for the first time in his career, Quintero scored a goal and had four assists on the year. The sophomore from Melrose Park, Illinois appeared in 17 matches for Northwestern, starting 14 times.

"Diego consistently helped us win our midfield battles throughout the fall. He is such a strong ball-carrier on the attack and ball-winner on defense. He also scored one of the most important goals of the season in the win against Midland."

Juan Miranda – Second Team (Midfielder)
A sophomore from San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, Miranda was a catalyst for the offense, dishing out four assists and being the primary corner kick distributor. Miranda scored his first career goal in Northwestern's second game of the season, a win over Bethel (Kan.).

"Juan is an incredibly skilled player with nearly perfect technique. He played a critical role in our ability as a team to advance the ball on the field and create dangerous scoring opportunities. We are blessed to have him on our team."

Ben Nederpel – Second Team (Defender)
Nederpel led the Raiders in minutes played in his freshman season, totaling 1,588 minutes on the pitch. Hailing from Rotterdam, Netherlands, Nederpel had an assist and was part of a Northwestern back line that allowed only 0.72 goals per game.

"Ben is another freshman that burst onto the scene this season. He seemed to get stronger and stronger as the season went on, making big tackles, saves off the line, and limiting opponents' scoring chances."

Giulio Palombo – Honorable Mention (Defender)
A captain and senior leader on the men's soccer team, Palombo receives his first career All-GPAC honor. From Sao Paulo, Brazil, he played and started in a career-high 13 matches this season.

"Giulio led our team to the top of the table this season. His passion, desire and competitive drive were great examples to the rest of the team. It was a joy and honor to watch him hoist the trophy at the end of the GPAC season."

Midland's Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran and Lucas Foreman were named the GPAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. Alejandro Illan of Briar Cliff was picked as the Newcomer of the Year.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Drew Darnold: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#15 Jannes Kuehn: D; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#5 Giulio Palombo: D; 6' 1"; Senior

#10 Diego Quintero: M; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#1 Edoardo Alessandrini: GK; 6' 2"; Junior

#4 Gorka Ilundain: D; 5' 11"; Freshman

#6 Juan Miranda: M; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#3 Ben Nederpel: D; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#9 Drew Darnold
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F

#15 Jannes Kuehn
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: D

#5 Giulio Palombo
: 6' 1"; Senior
: D

#10 Diego Quintero
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: M

#1 Edoardo Alessandrini
: 6' 2"; Junior
: GK

#4 Gorka Ilundain
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: D

#6 Juan Miranda
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: M

#3 Ben Nederpel
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: D