Salem University Tigers Claim 1st USCAA Soccer National Championship

Salem University Tigers Claim 1st USCAA Soccer National Championship
November 16, 2025
 
 
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Nov. 16, 2025) … Ahmad Hijaz converted a penalty kick for the Salem University Tigers in the 80th minute to cap a three-goal explosion as Salem rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the University of Maine-Fort Kent Bengal Tigers 4-3 for the USCAA Men’s Division I Championship on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium.

In the opening half, Salem got on the board first as Caleb Christener took a feed from CJ Branch at 3:27 to put the Tigers up 1-0. UMFK put two on the board in a 21-minute span as Rohane Brown took a crossing pass from Michael German to level the match at 17:19. Brown reversed his role and fed Deandre Smith for a go-ahead goal at 38:36 to put the Bengal Tigers up 2-1.

The second half saw UMFK push the lead to 3-1 as Javel Clarke found the back of the net at 53:34.

Salem put three on the board in a span of 24 minutes and two were from Christener. Branch found him at 55:58 to cut the deficit to 3-2. He then scored an unassisted goal at 63:33 to even the championship match at 3-3.

Hijaz was fouled inside the penalty box at 79:39 and converted his penalty kick for the come-from-behind win.

Salem outshot UMFK 19-13 in the match as each team had five corner kick chances.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Bryant & Stratton Rochester: Yassine Kone, Michael Ingallinera

Bryant & Stratton Syracuse: Alvaro Carrera Aguire

UMFK: Javal Clarke, Christopher McKenzie, Michael German

Salem: CJ Branch, Giancarlo Pardo, Jason Barrientos, Ahmad Hijaz

MVP: Caleb Christner, Salem University