HAYS, Kan. - The NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) announced its 2025 Men's Soccer All-Central Region Teams, which feature five players from the No. 13 Rogers State men's soccer team. First team recipients Alex Laing and Artur Carvalho will advance to the D2CCA All-America ballot.
 
"In a season that has made history here on the Hill, I am extremely proud of these individuals for the honors they are receiving," first-year head coach Jake Simpson commented. "They are extremely deserving of these accolades, and they have made everyone here on the Hill proud!"
 
Laing, who was named the GAC/MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, secured a place on the first team after earning a second-team selection last season. The London native has appeared in 16 matches, starting 14 and logging a total of 1,071 minutes this season. The senior also scored a goal against Southern Nazarene on Oct. 11 and provided an assist in the home game against the Crimson Storm on Oct. 29. Additionally, he was recognized as the GAC/MIAA Defensive Player of the Week following standout performances against Rockhurst and Oklahoma Christian.
 
Fellow defender Carvalho has earned his third all-region selection with a first team nod this season. He has appeared in 18 matches, including 14 starts, logging a total of 1,398 minutes. The senior has recorded three points with a trio of assists and has helped the Hillcats achieve 11 shutouts this season. His dominance on the defensive side of the pitch has also earned him two GAC/MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors, along with an All-GAC/MIAA First Team selection.


 
Forward Louis Bassett, who earned an All-GAC/MIAA First Team selection, has made back-to-back seasons with D2CCA All-Region Second Team honors. The Leicester, England, native has been impressive offensively this season, tallying 12 points in 19 games, including 18 starts. The sophomore has contributed three goals and six assists while taking 51 shots, with 22 on target. His consistent performances one the attacking side of the pitch has earned him two GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Week awards.
 
Jaxon Kendall has had a record-breaking season in goal for the Hillcats, culminating in his selection to the All-GAC/MIAA Second Team and now D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team recognition. The Owasso, Oklahoma, native has recorded 11 shutouts, the most by a goalkeeper at RSU in a single season. He boasts a 0.71 goals-against average and has tallied 71 saves so far. Kendall has also been named MIAA Goalkeeper of the Week three times this season.
 
Oliver Hemlin has also been named to the D2CCA All-Central Region and All-GAC/MIAA Second Team. The midfielder from Tring, England, has appeared in 21 matches, including 14 starts, for the Red and Navy. The sophomore has recorded 10 points, scoring four goals and providing two assists while taking 22 shots, 15 of which were on target.
 
The No. 2 seed Hillcats will face the No. 3 seed Lincoln Tigers in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at Soldier Field on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. For more information, visit 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Tournament.
 
Fort Hays State led the way with five first-team selections and a total of 10 overall picks on the D2CCA All-Central Region Team. Rogers State and Newman each secured five spots, while Northeastern State had three selections. Ouachita Baptist and Southern Nazarene each received one selection. In total, players from 12 different countries were represented on the team.
 
Elias Ovelar Semeniuk of Fort Hays State University was named the D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year. He topped the GAC/MIAA and Central Region in points with 32 as he entered the NCAA Tournament. Ovelar Semeniuk recorded 14 goals and four assists in 20 matches, placing him third nationally in total goals and seventh in points. He was also honored as the GAC/MIAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2025.
 
Six of the seven schools in the GAC/MIAA had representation on the all-region team. Those named to the first team will advance to the All-America ballot.
 
ABOUT THE D2CCA
The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.