Seven games, five goals, two assists. Francesco Dibra could not have started his sophomore season any better: wearing number 9 for William Woods University, he is the team’s top scorer, averaging a goal every 58 minutes on the pitch.
The last two came when it mattered
On Sunday, September 27, against Graceland, a side receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, the Owls trailed 2-1 with minutes to go. In the 88th minute Salvador Grandinetti delivered a perfect ball into the box and Francesco headed it home: 2-2 at the final whistle and his fourth goal of the season.
Three days later William Woods were behind again, this time against Baker. In the 70th minute Miles Andrews sent in a free kick from just outside the box and Francesco picked out the near corner while the goalkeeper covered the far post: 1-1, goal number five. Eight minutes later Yarin Lipski made it 2-1 to complete the comeback.
The season in numbers
7 games, 6 starts, 291 minutes. 5 goals and 12 points, both team highs, plus 2 assists. 15 shots, 10 on target. In the Heart of America Athletic Conference he has 3 goals in 4 games. William Woods are 4-4-1, 2-3-1 in the Heart.
From Novarello to Missouri
Francesco’s route ran through the Italian Showcase 2025 in Novarello, where he played in YWC colours. From there he chose William Woods, in Fulton, Missouri, where he studies Exercise Science. As a freshman, wearing number 19, he already had 3 goals and 1 assist in 14 appearances, 8 of them starts. This year, with the 9 on his back, he has taken the next step.
What’s next
William Woods travel to Missouri Baptist on Wednesday, October 7, and to William Penn on Saturday, October 10.
Francesco Dibra · William Woods University (Fulton, Missouri) · NAIA, Heart of America Athletic Conference · Forward, #9 · Sophomore · Sassocorvaro Auditore, Italy · 2026: 7 games, 5 goals, 2 assists, 12 points
Source: wwuowls.com. Photos: William Woods University Athletics, YWC.
Thinking about the same route?
Francesco plays college soccer and studies for a degree at the same time. If you want to work out where you could fit in US college soccer, talk to us.
