GREENWOOD, Indiana — Samuel Villanueva adds another accolade to his decorated Stanislaus State career, earning a spot on the 2025 Academic All-America® men's soccer teams as selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC), recognizing his excellence both on the pitch and in the classroom.

Villanueva, a senior psychology major from Napa High School, capped one of the greatest individual seasons in program history. He emerged as one of the nation's top defenders and playmakers in 2025, earning United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American honors while also collecting First Team All-CCAA, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-West Region, D2CCA First Team All-West Region, and D2CCA First Team All-American awards.

Earlier this season, Villanueva was also named an Academic All-District® honoree as selected by CSC, earning the recognition alongside teammate Adrian Yepez.

A true two-way standout, Villanueva finished second in NCAA Division II with 13 assists and ranked third nationally in assists per game (0.68). He set both the Stan State single-season (13) and career (17) assists records, tied the school's single-match record with three assists against Western Washington, and added two more in a win over Hawai'i Hilo. He closed the season with 17 points — tied for tenth on the single-season list — while his 29 career points place him ninth all-time at Stan State. He also earned CCAA Tournament Offensive MVP honors as the Warriors captured the CCAA Tournament Championship for the first time since 2012.

Stan State's 17 wins this season were the most in program history, highlighted by a school-record 14-match unbeaten streak and a seven-match winning streak. The Warriors were ranked No. 1 in the nation for two straight weeks and entered the postseason ranked No. 3 nationally. They went on to advance to the NCAA postseason's third round — the farthest the program has ever gone — capping a historic campaign filled with program firsts.

With his selection, Villanueva becomes just the second Academic All-American® in Stan State men's soccer history and the first since 2023, when forward Tyler Tipton earned CSC Academic All-America® Second Team honors.
Villanueva's Academic All-America® recognition further highlights his ability to excel at the highest levels of NCAA Division II competition and academic performance, solidifying his place among the most accomplished players in Stanislaus State men's soccer history.