ROCKFORD, Ill.—With fall camp set to open August 1, the Rock Valley College men's soccer program has officially unveiled its 2025 regular season schedule.—and it's packed with marquee match-ups, a deep Region 4 slate, and an early test against the reigning national champions. The 2025 schedule features nine home and eight road matches.
 
The Golden Eagles will kick off their preseason preparations with three scrimmages, opening with McHenry County College (Aug. 15). The men will then travel to Howards Grove, Wisc. to test themselves against Lakeland University (Aug. 18), before a final tune-up at home against Kishwaukee College (Aug. 20). 
 
Rock Valley will then open their regular season in dramatic fashion, taking on Northeast Community College (Aug. 22)—the 2024 NJCAA Division 2 National Champions—in Indianapolis for the annual Midwest Junior College Classic. The Golden Eagles will return to action the following day with a match-up against Region 10 powerhouse Patrick & Henry Community College (Aug. 23), setting the tone early for a competitive fall campaign. It will be the first time since 2023 Rock Valley will open the season with back-to-back days. The three-game away schedule to open the season is the longest since 2018 and will end in 2025 as the Golden Eagles open their Region 4 action in Sugar Grove, Ill. against Waubonsee Community College (Aug. 30).
 
The men will open September with Illinois Valley Community College (Sep. 3) coming off Labor Day weekend at home. The IVCC Eagles have historically played RVC tight in Rockford, including winning each of their last two trips to The Forest City. The Golden Eagles with then battle St. Louis Community College (Sep. 7) in St. Louis, Mo. before resuming region play for the remainder of the 2025 season against UW-Whitewater at Rock County (Sep. 10) in Rockford, Ill. The month of September does not get any easier with notable match-ups against Madison College (Sep. 17). The Wolfpack and Golden Eagles have played a program-high 22 times, with Madison holding the competitive edge 6-13-3. But Rock Valley will look to break a three-match winless skid and even their 4-5-1 record in the two's 'Last 10' in the series at home in 2025.
 
After shocking much of the country with a 3-2 victory in Chicago Heights, Ill. in 2022, the Golden Eagles will return to Prairie State College (Sep. 20). The Pioneers took both match-ups in 2023, including the 2022 District Final, 3-2. Rock Valley will then close out the month of September with a Carl Sandburg College (Sep. 24) they have lost-won-drawn in their last three meetings.
 
October has historically been good for the Golden Eagles under seventh-year head coach Tim Romanello. They'll kick off the stretch run with Triton College(Oct. 1) at home. A pair of one-goal victories in each of the last two seasons have improved the series match-up between the two to 4-12-0, in favor of Triton. Rock Valley will then play their next three matches on the road, Joliet Junior College (Oct. 8), Kankakee Community College (Oct. 11) and College of DuPage (Oct. 15). Rock Valley will close out the regular season with a home match against Richard J Daley College (Oct. 24).
 
The Golden Eagles will play fixtures in two notable facilities this fall, an away date against a tough Bryant & Stratton College (WI) (Sep. 13) opponent at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wisc. and at home in the season's final week against South Suburban College (Oct. 22), where they will play at Wedgbury Field at Mercyhealth SportsCoreTwo in Loves Park, Ill.
 
Postseason play begins Wednesday, October 29, with the Region 4 First Round hosted by the higher seeds. The Midwest District Final is scheduled for Saturday, November 8 at Madison College's Irwin A & Robert D Goodman Sports Complex in Madison, Wisconsin. The ultimate goal lies ahead: qualification for the NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament, held this year at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas. With a competitive schedule, strong returning core, and a clear vision, the Golden Eagles are ready to stack days, leave no doubt and chase postseason glory in 2025."