Illinois Wesleyan 2008 Men's Soccer Stories

Also see other stories, previous seasons, etc. at Men's Soccer Archives

Illinois Wesleyan 2008 Preseason Information (doc)

January 2009
Junior Paolo Michelini (Ames, Iowa, HS) and senior Greg Yao (Yorkville, Ill., Neuqua Valley HS) have been named as the most valuable offensive and defensive players, respectively, for the 2008 Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team. Sophomore Scott Pettenon (Orland Park, Ill., Sandburg HS) was chosen as the squad’s “Most Improved Player” and the “Goal of the Year” came from senior defender Matas Cyvas (Downers Grove, Ill., Benet Academy) vs. Elmhurst, when his goal in the 88th minute forced overtime in an eventual 4-3 win. Michelini joins juniors Win Fisher (Birmingham, Ala., Mountain Brook HS) and Robert Tabaka (Chicago, Ill., Lane Tech) as captains for 2009. Head coach Ryan Lakin awarded letters to 18 players including nine who return for next season.

December 16
Illinois Wesleyan senior defender Matas Cyvas (Downers Grove, Ill., Benet Academy) has been named to the first team of the NCAA Division III all-North Central Region squad selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas. Cyvas, who was a second team NSCAA/adidas NCAA all-North Region selection in 2006, was earlier named to the first team of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin men's soccer squads for the third time and was a second team honoree in 2006. He was also on the first team of the college division all-District V academic men's soccer squad. Cyvas was the Titans' most valuable defensive player as a freshman and sophomore.

November 25
Illinois Wesleyan senior defender Matas Cyvas was named to the first team and four of his teammates earned second team honors for the all-league teams in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin men's soccer. Chosen to the second team were senior defender Greg Yao, junior midfielder Paolo Michelini, and senior forwards Jason Lopez and Jeff Carqueville. Cyvas was a first team selection for the third time and was a second team honoree in 2006 while Carqueville and Michelini were also on the all-CCIW second team a year ago. The Titans finished with an 8-8-2 overall record, were 5-2 in the CCIW regular season and were the No. 3 seed in the league tournament, where Wesleyan was eliminated in a shootout for the second straight season.

November 5
In Kenosha, Wis., on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team battled Carthage to a scoreless tie for regulation and two overtimes, but were eliminated from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tourney as the Red Men claimed a 5-3 edge in the shootout to determine who advances. The Titans' season ends at 8-8-2 while the Red Men advance with a 10-6-3 mark. Wesleyan had a 13-10 advantage in shots and a 5-3 edge in shots on goal as goalkeeper Win Fisher (shown) made three saves. Jason Lopez, Paolo Michelini and Tom Marlow had the shootout tallies for IWU, who lost a shootout in the CCIW tournament for the second straight season. Carthage advances to play Wheaton, a 4-2 winner over North Park in the other semifinal.

November 1
On "Seniors' Night", senior Jeff Carqueville made the most of the celebration by scoring both the Illinois Wesleyan goals in a 2-0 win over North Park on Saturday, Nov. 1 at IWU's Neis Field. Carqueville's first goal, unassisted, came at the 59:54 mark and his second, on a helper from Stephen Rensa came at the 67:28 point on the clock. Win Fisher made five saves for Wesleyan, who improved to 8-8-1 and 5-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, outshot the Vikings, 15-10 with eight shots on goal compared to five for the Vikings. The Titans have secured the No. 3 seed in the CCIW tournament and will play at No. 2 Carthage on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The Red Men handled IWU, 4-0, on Sept. 28.

October 30
Illinois Wesleyan senior defender Matas Cyvas has been elected to the first team of the college division all-District V academic men's soccer squad and will join representatives of seven other districts on the ESPN: The Magazine Academic All-America national ballots. Cyvas has a 3.7 grade-point average as an psychology major. A three-year letterman, Cyvas was a first team all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection as a freshman and junior and second team as a sophomore. He was the Titans' most valuable defensive player as a freshman and sophomore and currently ranks No. 3 in school history with 69 games played. The all-district teams are chosen by a vote of members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario. To be considered for the ESPN: The Magazine Academic All-America squads, players must be of at least sophomore standing, have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.3 (of 4.0), and be a starter or first-line reserve.

October 28
Senior Jeff Carqueville scored a goal with 11 seconds left in the second overtime to give the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team a 1-0 win over Principia on Tuesday, Oct. 28 in Elsah, Ill. Carqeuville scored his goal on an assist from Greg Yao to help the Titans improve to 7-8-1 overall. Frankie Gorg and Win Fisher combined for the shutout as Gorg made two saves and Fisher six. Wesleyan outshot Principia (11-5-3) by a 25-14 margin and will play next against North Park on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. at Neis Field on "Seniors' Day."

October 28
In College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action on Friday, Oct. 24, the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team was defeated at Wheaton, 5-0. Joel DeLass had two goals while Steohen Mesko, Kenneth Feehs and Hudson Stern each had one goal as the Thunder outshot IWU, 17-12. The Titans fell to 6-8-1 overall and 4-2 in the league while Wheaton improved to 12-3-2, 4-0-1 CCIW. Wesleyan plays next at Principia on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

October 25
In College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action on Friday, Oct. 24, the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team was defeated at Wheaton, 5-0. Joel DeLass had two goals while Steohen Mesko, Kenneth Feehs and Hudson Stern each had one goal as the Thunder outshot IWU, 17-12. The Titans fell to 6-8-1 overall and 4-2 in the league while Wheaton improved to 12-3-2, 4-0-1 CCIW. Wesleyan plays next at Principia on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

October 21
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost a 2-1 nonconference match to Rose-Hulman on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at IWU's Neis Field. The Titans (6-7-1) outshot the Engineers, 17-7, in the loss. Earlier in the day, IWU senior forward Spencer Nedved was named men’s soccer “Player of the Week” for offense in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin. Nedved (St. Paul, Minn., St. Paul Academy) scored the first goal in each of the Titans’ two CCIW wins last week. On October 14 at North Central, Nedved scored an unassisted goal just five minutes into the game as the Titans went on to win 2-0. On October 17 against Augustana, Nedved scored four minutes into the contest on assists from Stephen Rensa and Paolo Michelini as Wesleyan won 2-0.

October 17
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team earned a 2-0 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin win over Augustana on Friday, Oct. 17 at IWU's Neis Field. The Titans (6-6-1, 4-1 CCIW) got a goal from Spencer Nedved just three minutes into the match on assists from Paolo Michelini and Stephen Rensa, then at the 29:31 mark Tim Johnson scored on an assist from Jeff Carqueville. Win Fisher had two saves against Augustana (5-8-1, 0-5 CCIW) in the game that featured a 25 minute delay when the lights went out. The Titans are back in action at home against Rose-Hulman on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

October 14
Goals by senior Spencer Nedved and junior Paolo Michelini led the Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory over North Central in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin match at Naperville on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The Titans (who improved to 5-6-1 overall and 3-1 in the league) outshot North Central, 19-15. Junior Win Fisher and sophomore Frankie Gorg each made three saves for the Titans to combine for the shutout. Wesleyan hosts Augustana at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17.

October 11
Chris Sleezer banged home the game-winning goal after a cross from Tom Marlow to give the Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team a 4-3 win in overtime against Elmhurst on Saturday, Oct. 11 at IWU’s Neis Field. The Titans (4-6-1 overall, 2-1 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Stephen Rensa in the 36th minute and 49th minute, assisted by Jason Lopez. Elmhurst then scored three unanswered goals before senior defender Matas Cyvas collected his third collegiate goal in the 88th minute to tie the score at 3-3. Win Fisher made three saves and Wesleyan outshot the Bluejays (11-3, 2-1 CCIW) by a 13-6 margin. Wesleyan plays next at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at North Central.

October 7
Illinois Wesleyan junior goalkeeper Win Fisher has been selected as the "Defensive Player of the Week" for men's soccer in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Fisher (Birmingham, Ala., Mountain Brook High School) had two shutouts as Wesleyan picked up a win and a tie last week. Fisher made two saves in the Titans’ 2-0 CCIW win over Millikin on October 3. Earlier in the week, Fisher had six saves in 110 minutes as the Titans and the University of Chicago battled to a scoreless, double overtime tie.

October 3
In the Homecoming match, the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team defeated Millikin, 2-0, on Friday, Oct. 3 at IWU's Neis Field. Chris Sleever scored in the 26th minute on assists from Jason Lopez and Stephen Rensa, then Greg Yao converted a Robert Tabaka corner kick for a goal in the 42nd minute for the balance of the scoring. IWU keeper Win Fisher made two saves as Wesleyan improved to 3-5-1, 1-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, while Millikin falls to 8-3-2 overall. The Titans play next at Wisconsin-Whitewater on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

September 30
The Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team outshot the University of Chicago, 15-14, and setteled for a 0-0 double-overtime tie in Chicago on Tuesday, Sept 30. The Titans now stand at 2-5-1 while Chicago went to 4-3-2. Illinois Wesleyan goalkeeper Win Fisher made six saves. Wesleyan now hosts Millikin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 for the annual Homecoming game.

September 28
The Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team was shutout, 4-0, by Carthage in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener for both teams at Kenosha, Wis., on Sunday, Sept. 28. The Titans fell to 2-5 overall while the Red Men are 4-4-2. Wesleyan keeper Win Fisher made seven saves and IWU had five shots on goal. The Titans return to action at the University of Chicago (4-3-1) on Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the makeup of the rain-postponed game from earlier this season.

September 24
Illinois Wesleyan claimed a 3-0 nonconference soccer win against Webster on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Neis Feld on the IWU campus. Paolo Michelini opened the scoring with an unassisted goal in the fourth minute and Michelini added an assist off a Tim Johnson corner kick for a Jason Lopez goal at the 28:36 mark. Stephen Rensa closed the scoring with a penalty kick in the 57th minute. Win Fisher had three saves and IWU (2-4-0) outshot Webster (2-5-1) by an 18-6 margin.

September 21
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team were shutout, 3-0, by Washington U. at IWU's Neis Field on Sunday, Sept. 21. IWU (1-4) had five shots on goal compared to eight for the Bears, who improved to 6-2. IWU keeper Win Fisher made five saves. The Bears scored all their goals in the first half with two coming from Pierre Hoppenot, one in the 23rd minute and the other in the 43rd on an assist from Randall Schoen. John Hengel opened the scoring with an unassisted tally in the 20th minute.

September 16
Elmhurst’s Jon Brehm and Illinois Wesleyan’s Frankie Gorg were named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin men’s soccer players of the week. Gorg, a sophomore goalkeeper from Mt. Prospect, Ill. (Hersey HS), was the league's "Defensive Player of the Week." In a complete game shutout, he turned away eight shots as the Titans collected their first win of the year in a 2-0 decision over Maryville (Mo.) on September 10. Gorg had two saves in the first half and six more in the second. Brehm was the league's "Defensive Player of the Week." as he scored three goals while leading Elmhurst to a 2-0 record last week.

September 13-14
It was a rained -out weekend for the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team as a result of soggy field conditions due to the Midwest remnants of Hurricane Ike. The scheduled game at the University of Chicago on Sept. 13 was postponed to September 30 at 7 p.m. and the scheduled game on Sunday, Sept. 14 against the University of Puget Sound was cancelled with no makeup date set.

September 10
The Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team got their first win of the season with a 2-0 decision over Maryville on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at IWU’s Neis Field in Bloomington. Tim Johnson and John Blodgett each scored a goal and goalkeeper Frank Gorg turned aside eight shots as Wesleyan improved to 1-3. Sean Gower assisted on Johnson’s tally while Greg Yao set up Blodgett’s goal as IWU outshot Maryville by a 19-17 margin.

September 6
Trailing 1-0, senior Jason Lopez scored in the 31st minute to tie the game but it was not enough as Centre College (3-1) claimed a 2-1 victory over the Titan men’s soccer team (0-3) at the Bob Allen College Showcase in Danville, Ky. on Saturday, Sept. 6.

September 5
The Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team was shutout 3-0 by Transylvania University in the opening game of the Bob Allen College Showcase at Centre College in Danville, Ky. IWU (0-2) fired 13 shots on net, with all five of their scoring opportunities turned away by goalkeeper Trey Kremer. Ryan Wood scored two first-half goals to pace the Pioneers (3-0).

August 29
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost a 2-1 decision in overtime to Illinois-Springfield on Friday, August 29 at IWU's Neis Field. The Titans got an unassisted goal from Tim Johnson at the 9:12 mark of the game. The Prairie Stars got goals from Jakub Piotrowski (1:29 with an assist from Frank Rodriguez) and the gamewinner from Brian Doellman (unassisted) at the 95:25 mark. Titan goalie Win Fisher made five saves and IWU had eight shots on goal to seven from Illinois-Springfield. Wesleyan plays next September 5-6 in the 19th Annual Bob Allen Classic, held at Centre College in Danville, Ky.

August 7
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team has been picked to finish fourth in the 2008 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin preseason coaches’ poll. The Titans (6-11-1 overall, 4-3 in the CCIW in 2007) garnered 31 points in the poll. Wheaton was picked first with 47 points and five first place votes while Elmhurst was second with 41 points and three first place votes. Carthage was third with 37 points. Wesleyan opens its season August 29 with a 7 p.m. home match against Illinois-Springfield. IWU will play Sept. 5-6 in the 19th Annual Bob Allen Classic at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Among the key returners is senior defender Matas Cyvas, who has been a first team all-CCIW selection in 2007 and 2005 and a second team pick in 2006.

July 1
Looking to improve on a 6-11-1 overall record (4-3 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) last year, the Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team opens its season on August 29 with a 7 p.m. home match against Illinois-Springfield. Coached by Ryan Lakin (20-28-6 overall in three seasons), IWU will play Sept. 5-6 in the 19th Annual Bob Allen Classic at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. IWU opens its CCIW season at Carthage on Sept. 28 and hosts Millikin at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3 for the annual Homecoming game. Among the key returners is senior defender Matas Cyvas, who has been a first team all-CCIW selection in 2007 and 2005 and a second team pick in 2006.