YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris College junior Thomas Kleinpenning has added another prestigious accolade to his résumé, being named the 2025 D2CCA Southeast Region Men's Soccer Player of the Year. The Ulfts, Netherlands native was instrumental in leading the Mountain Lions to a historic season, which included a Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship, a 15-2-3 overall record, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. 

Kleinpenning, who was previously honored as the Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-Conference selection, showcased his elite playmaking and scoring ability throughout the season. He finished the year with 12 goals and 13 assists for 37 points, ranking second nationally in NCAA Division II in both total assists and total points. His impact was felt in clutch moments, scoring four game-winning goals and assisting on key strikes during the Mountain Lions' postseason run. 

The junior midfielder started all 20 matches, logging 1,599 minutes and maintaining impressive efficiency with a .316 shot percentage and .553 shots-on-goal percentage. Kleinpenning recorded three multi-goal games, including a dramatic 90th-minute winner against Southern Wesleyan on September 23, and played a pivotal role in the Conference Carolinas final, assisting on the opening goal in YHC's 3-1 victory over North Greenville to secure the program's first-ever Conference Carolinas Tournament crown. 

With his combination of vision, technical skill, and finishing ability, Kleinpenning firmly established himself as one of the premier players in Division II soccer.