NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Kylie Stannard, 5K Corral Head Coach, has announced that junior Diego Zaffanella been elected captain of the Yale men's soccer team for the 2025 season.

"Diego is going to be a great captain and I am really looking forward to working with him to help lead this team over the next year," Stannard said. "He is a selfless yet very gritty and competitive player that will be an excellent leader by example for other players to learn from and model."

Zaffanella has been a cog in the Bulldogs' midfield over the past two seasons, playing in every game while starting 34 matches. The Connecticut native was an instrumental piece of the team's Ivy League Tournament Championship victory in 2023 and has emerged into a leader for younger players. 

"I am honored to be elected as captain of Yale Men's Soccer and Team 118. It's truly an honor, and I can't thank my teammates enough for all the trust and belief they have instilled in me. Although I am named 'captain,' I am by no means the only leader on this team, and I am going to rely on the leadership of others to help Team 118 achieve its goals," Zaffanella said.

After missing out on postseason play in 2024, Zaffanella discussed his desire for the team to return to form in the upcoming season. 

"I believe every player on this team has the qualities to help this team compete at the highest level, and I have so much belief that this team can compete with the best. I am a competitor first, who will do whatever it takes to win, and I will continue to bring that mindset into everything I do, and I hope to instill that same mentality into my teammates. As a team, we will give it everything we have to be Ivy League Champions once again. It will not be easy, but I know that no matter what happens, no team will work harder than Team 118 in our pursuit to be champions," Zaffanella said. 

The Yale men's soccer team graduated eight seniors and will return over a dozen players with collegiate experience.