Two Pioneers Named to All-AAC Second Team; 18 Earn Academic Honors

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference announced its men's soccer postseason honors on Wednesday, with Spartanburg Methodist College standouts Anthoney Bedolla Menera and Francesco Molinar earning Second Team All-AAC recognition for their outstanding 2025 season.

In his first season, Bedolla Menera appeared in 13 games with nine starts, scoring three goals and adding two assists. Two of his goals proved to be game-winners in victories over Montreat and Bryan.

Molinar was a steady presence in goal for the Pioneers, recording 67 saves and posting a 1.83 goals-against average. His efforts helped lead SMC to its first Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament appearance of the NAIA era.

In addition to the all-conference honors, senior Ben Ohl was named the team's Champion of Character for exemplifying the NAIA's five core values both on and off the pitch.

The Pioneers also placed 18 student-athletes on the All-Academic Team: Josh Barksdale, Layton Cave, Steven Escorza, Colin Fleener, Yahir Galvan, Manny Gutierrez, Caleb Hall, Joshua Hazelton, Ossian Lindberg-Haak, Moises Mancebo-Roque, Ben Ohl, Pablo Ontiveros, Thomas Pineros, Rodrigo Pinheiro, Julio Quintero, Juan Sebastian Chiquiza, Brandon Serna, and Matthew Suarez.