Mila Repeats as Men's Soccer "Most Valuable"

9 December 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - For the third straight season, Alan Mila has been chosen as the "Most Valuable Player" for the Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team.

Mila, a senior defenseman from Bartlett, Ill. (Wheaton Academy), was a four-time all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection and was chosen to the second team of the all-North Central region squad by members of the National Soccer Coaches Association.

Sophomore Jon Yee (Long Grove, St. Viator HS), who had one assist this season, was chosen as the “Most Improved Player” for the Titans, who finished 5-10-3 overall and 1-5-1 in CCIW play.

Sophomore Chris Miller (Normal, University High) and junior Kevin Hegi (Wheaton, North HS) were selected as the team’s co-captains for 2005.

Miller had five goals for 10 points and Hegi scored two goals with three assists for seven points.

Sophomore forward Josh Lacey (Eldridge, Iowa, North Scott HS) was IWU’s scoring leader, notching four goals and three assists for 11 points.

Senior Matt Robertson (Arlington Heights, Hersey HS) did the bulk of the goalkeeping duties, posting shutouts against Augustana and Webster and logging a 1.28 goals-against average.

Head coach David Barrett awarded letters to 23 IWU soccer players, including 16 who will return for next fall. The lettermen are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS – David Beckett (Bolingbrook HS), Reed Grimwood (Eagan, Minn., HS), Scott Hernandez (Oswego HS), Nick Hogren (Metamora HS), Alan Mila (Bartlett, Wheaton Academy), Matt Robertson (Arlington Heights, Hersey HS), Jeremy Witt (Waukegan, Warren Township HS).

JUNIORS - George Aliaga (Glenview, Glenbrook South HS), Drew Brady (Glenview, Glenbrook South HS), Kevin Hegi (Wheaton, North HS), Ryan Smith (Decatur, Eisenhower HS).

SOPHOMORES – Aaron Bailey (Peoria, Richwoods HS), Peter Brown (Bourbonnais, Bradley-Bourbonnais HS), Ben Clemens (Wheaton, Benet Academy), Andrew Kloepper (Naperville, Benet Academy), Josh Lacey (Eldridge, Iowa, North Scott HS), Chris Miller (Normal, University High), Mark Opal (Wheaton, Benet Academy), Steve Perona (Western Springs, Lyons Township HS), Jon Yee (Long Grove, St. Viator HS).

FRESHMEN – Colin Aubin (Orland Park, Sandburg HS), Andrew Bobowski (Darien, Benet Academy), Paul Caracciolo (Cherry Hill, N.J., East HS).

CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206