Illinois Wesleyan 2006 Men's Soccer Stories

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Illinois Wesleyan 2006 Preseason Information (pdf)

November 15
Illinois Wesleyan sophomore Matas Cyvas along with seniors Chris Miller and Mark Opal were selected by league coaches to the second team of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin men's soccer squads. Miller has been on the all-CCIW second team in both 2003 and 2005. This fall he was sixth in the league in points (eight) and goals (three) and fifth in assists (two). Opal was fifth in the CCIW in points (10), goals (four) and assists (two). A defender, Cyvas was a first team all-conference selection as a freshman. The Titans finished with an overall record of 7-10-1 and a league standard of 3-3-1.

October 28
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team battled back to score two goals in the final 10 minutes of the game, but Carthage held on to claim a 3-2 decision in Kenosha, Wis., on Sat., Oct. 28. The Titans' season ends with a 7-10-1 record (3-3-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin). After falling behind, 3-0, senior Chris Miller scored his fifth goal of the year on a penalty kick in the 81st minute and Colin Aubin scored his second goal of the season, unassisted, at the 85 minute mark. IWU had 17 shots compared to 10 for the Red Men (11-4-3, 5-1-1 CCIW).

October 25
Mark Opal had the game's only goal as the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team defeated Augustana, 1-0, at IWU's Neis Field on Wed., Oct. 25. Augustana had 10 shots and freshman keeper Win Fisher made seven saves for IWU, who improved to 7-9-1 (3-2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin). For the second time this season, Opal is the CCIW "Men's Soccer Player of the Week" after his performance during the previous week of competition. 

October 24
For the second time this season, Illinois Wesleyan senior Mark Opal was named “Men’s Soccer Player of the Week” in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) on Oct. 24 after his performance during the previous week of competition. Opal, a midfielder from Wheaton, Ill. (Benet Academy), had two goals and an assist in the Titans’ 6-2 win at North Central. His goals came one minute apart in the 64th-65th minutes and he assisted on Ikenna Odinaka's goal in the 69th minute. The win improved the Titans' CCIW record to 2-2-1. Opal and eight other seniors will be honored at “Senior Night” when IWU hosts Augustana on Wed., Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

October 22
Freshman Paulo Michelini accounted for the team's only goal as the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer squad lost, 6-1, at Wisconsin-Whitewater on Sun., Oct. 22. The Titans are 6-9-1 while the Warhawks improved to 10-4-1. IWU had 11 shots with Michelini's being the only shot on goal (coming in the game's 86th minute) while UW-W had 20 shots with six on goal. The Titans, with nine seniors on the team, next host Augustana on "Seniors' Night" at 7:30 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 25.

October 21
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost a 5-0 decision to Wisconsin-Oshkosh on the road on Sat., Oct. 21. The Titans are now 6-8-1 while Oshkosh improved to 6-6-3. The Titans managed nine shots while Oshkosh had 15 and put nine shots on goal. Titan keeper Win Fisher made four saves. IWU plays at Wisconsin-Whitewater on Sun., Oct. 22 at 3 p.m.

October 18
With the game tied at 1-1in the second half, the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team scored the next four goals in the match and eased to a 6-2 win over North Central in Naperville on Wed., Oct. 18. Steve Perona, Paulo Michelini, Ikenna Odinaka and Chris Miller all had goals and Mark Opal had two goals and an assist as the Titans improved to 6-7-1 (2-2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin). North Central fell to 0-17 this season (0-6 CCIW). The Titans will play next at Wisconsin-Oshkosh at 2 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 21.

October 11
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team managed just one shot on goal from Paulo Michelini (shown) as the Titans were shut out at Wheaton, 4-0, on Wed., Oct. 11. The Thunder outshot IWU, 12-5, and put six shots on goal with four finding the back of the net. The Titans are now 5-7-1 (1-2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) and have a week off before playing at North Central at 7 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 18.

October 7
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team snapped a seven-game winless streak and improved to 5-6-1 with a 2-0 victory over Millikin at IWU's Neis Field on Homecoming Sat., Oct. 7. The Titans' goals came from Ikenna Odinaka (pictured) on an assist from Chris Miller and from Mark Opal, who scored unassisted on a shot from 15 yards out. IWU outshot the Big Blue, 16-6 and had eight shots on goal. The Titans play next at Wheaton on Wed., Oct. 11.

October 1
Illinois Wesleyan battled the University of Dallas into a second overtime period before losing, 1-0, on Sun., Oct. 1 at IWU's Neis Field. Dallas's Adam Lunger scored an unassisted goal in the 103rd minute for the lone score as IWU fell to 4-6 and Dallas improved to 7-1-2. Freshman Win Fisher made seven saves in the game that saw IWU outshoot the Crusaders, 20-11. IWU hosts Elmhurst in a league match at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4.

September 28
Despite leading at halftime, the Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team lost a 3-2 nonconference decision to Principia in Elsah, Ill., on Thurs., Sept. 28. Senior Chris Miller scored a goal in the 22nd minute and assisted on Mark Opal’s goal five minutes later to give IWU a 2-1 lead at intermission. Principia scored two goals in the second half as IWU lost its fifth straight to drop to 4-5. It was also the fifth loss for the Titans when they outshot their opponent. The Titans outshot Principia, 14-12, including a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. Titan goaltender Win Fisher had three saves for IWU.

September 25
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team outshot Rose-Hulman, 16-8, and put eight shots on goal but none found the back of the net as the Titans were shutout, 1-0, in Terre Haute, Ind., on Mon., Sept. 25. Matt Trowbridge scored the game's only goal in the 26th minute and IWU keeper Reggie Lara made two other saves. The Titans are 4-4 overall and play next on Thurs., Sept. 28 at nonconference Principia.

September 23
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team took No. 20 nationally ranked North Park into overtime before losing, 2-1, at IWU's Neis Field on Sat., Sept. 23. Freshman Paulo Michelini scored in the 81st minute on an assist from Mark Opal to tie the game at 1-1. The Titans outshot the Vikings, 15-10, and IWU keeper Reggie Lara made four saves. The Titans are 4-3 overall and 0-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Vikings improved to 7-0-1 on the season.

September 16
The Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team struck first in the game but were downed, 2-1, at the University of Chicago on Sat., Sept. 16. The Titans’ Jason Lopez scored in the fourth minute of the game but Chicago answered with a goal in the 16th minute and scored the gamewinner in the 80th minute. IWU, now 4-2, was outshot 10-5 by the Maroons, who improved to 2-2-1. IWU hosts conference foe North Park on Sat., Sept. 23 at 5 p.m.

September 12
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost a 5-1 decision to No. 23-ranked Washington U. on Tues., Sept. 12 at IWU's Neis Field. The Titans, now 4-1 after suffering their first loss of the 2006 campaign, got their only goal in the 80th minute when Matas Cyvas headed in a corner kick from Ben Clemens. IWU outshot the Bears, 15-11, and WU keeper John Smelter made seven saves. Titan keeper Reggie Lara made three saves.

September 8
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team has won its first four games of the season, topping Grinnell, 2-1, on the road on Fri., Sept. 8. The Titans scored two second half goals, the first coming from freshman Paulo Michelini on an assist from Mark Opal while Spencer Nedved scored on a corner kick from Chris Miller in the 79th minute for the gamewinner. The Titans outshot Grinnell, 25-13, and keeper Reggie Lara made three saves. IWU hosts Washington U. at 7 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 12.

September 6
The Illinois Wesleyan soccer team got a goal and two assists from Chris Miller while Ben Clemens, Steve Perona, Jeff Carqueville, Colin Aubin and Mark Opal also scored goals in IWU's 6-0 win over Fontbonne on Wed., Sept. 6. Opal  was chosen men's soccer "Player of the Week" in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin for the week ending Sept. 3. Opal scored three goals in helping the Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team to a 2-0 start in 2006. Opal got a pair of goals in the Titans’ 6-2 win at Knox on Sept. 1, then scored what proved to be the game-winner in the Titans’ 2-1 win over Webster.

September 3
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team is off to a 2-0 start in the 2006 season after a 2-1 nonconference win over Webster on Sun., Sept. 3 at IWU's Neis Field.Ikenna Odinaka scored a goal in the first half on an assist from Steve Perona and Mark Opal scored his third goal of the season in the 64th minute. IWU outshot the Gorlocks, 16-4, in the game that featured 29 fouls. Webster;s goalie Chris Hartman made six saves.

September 1
Seniors Mark Opal and Steve Perona each scored two unassisted goals as the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team defeated Knox, 6-2, on Fri., Sept. 1 in Galesburg. Paulo Michelini and Tim Johnson scored the Titans' other goals while Ikenna Odinaka had IWU's lone assist. Reggie Lara went the distance in goal for the Titans and made one save. IWU outshot Knox, 24-14, and built up a 4-0 lead at halftime. IWU hosts Webster at 5 p.m. at Neis Field on Sun., Sept. 3.

August 2
The Illinois Wesleyan University men’s soccer team is picked No. 6 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin preseason coaches’ poll. The Titans garnered 23 points in the poll, which is led by North Park (47 points, six first place votes). Wheaton (43 points, two first place votes) is second, followed by Elmhurst (34), Augustana (32), and Carthage (24). Sophomore Matas Cyvas (shown), a first team all-CCIW selection, was the most valuable defensive player for the 2005 team that finished 7-7-4 overall and 1-3-3 in CCIW play.

June 2006
The Illinois Wesleyan University men’s soccer team, coached for the second season by Ryan Lakin, will open its 2006 campaign at Knox in Galesburg on Fri., Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. IWU opens its home schedule against Webster on Sun. Sept. 3 at 5 p.m., then will host Fontbonne on Wed., Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. at Neis Field. The Titans will play two exhibitions to prepare for the regular season – on Sat., Aug. 26 at DePauw at 1 p.m.; and on Sun., Aug. 27 at home against Beloit at 7 p.m.