Illinois Wesleyan 2007 Men's Soccer Stories

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

Illinois Wesleyan 2007 Preseason Information (pdf)

December 11
Juniors Jason Lopez and Greg Yao have been chosen as the most valuable offensive and defensive players, respectively, for the 2007 Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer team. A midfielder, Lopez led the Titans in scoring with 17 points on seven goals and three assists. His free kick goal, the first of three he scored against North Central, was cited as the team’s “Goal of the Year.” Yao was a starter in 16 games and played a key backfield role for a team that allowed 1.80 goals per game. Junior midfielder Chris Sleezer was named the “Most Improved Player” honor for the Titans, who finished 6-11-1 overall and 4-3 in CCIW play. Sleezer, who became a starter midway through the season, had nine points on three goals and three assists. Lopez and Yao, along with juniors Matas Cyvas and Stephen Rensa, were elected to be the 2008 team captains. Head coach Ryan Lakin awarded letters to 17 IWU players, including 15 who will return for next fall.

November 19
Illinois Wesleyan senior forward Ikenna Odinaka has become the first men’s soccer player in IWU history to be elected to the second team of the ESPN: The Magazine Academic All-America men’s soccer squads chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Odinaka has a 4.0 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) as a double major in physics and mathematics. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa honorary academic societies and serves as a tutor on campus in mathematics, physics, computer science and the use of Mathematica global computer environment. Odinaka was a second team all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection this fall as he scored three goals with one assist. He was the "Most Improved Player" in 2005, a season that saw him score two goals within 17 seconds in a 2-1 upset win over nationally-ranked Wheaton.

October 31
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team played to a 0-0 double overtime tie at Elmhurst on Wed., Oct. 31 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin semifinals, but were eliminated from the tourney as the Bluejays claimed a 4-2 edge in the shootout to determine who advances. The Titans' season ends at 6-11-1 while the Bluejays advance with a 14-4-2 mark. Elmhurst had an 18-17 edge in shots and Titan keepers combined for eight saves with Frankie Gorg making one in the first half and Win Fisher making seven in the second half and two extra periods. John Blodgett and Paulo Michelini had the scores in the shootout for IWU.

October 27
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost a 2-1 decision to Carthage on Saturday, Oct. 27 ("Seniors Day") at IWU's Neis Field. Senior Ikenna Odinaka scored the Titans' only goal in the 47th minute to tie the game at 1-1 with assists to Paulo Michelini and Stephen Rensa. IWU had 13 total shots and nine shots on goal but the Red Men were efficient in their scoring, placing both of their shots on goal in the back of the net. IWU falls to 6-11 overall and 4-3 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while Carthage improved to 14-4-2 and wins the CCIW with a perfect 7-0 mark. The No. 3-seed Titans will play at No. 2 Elmhurst in the CCIW tournament at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

October 25
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team registered its third consecutive win, all via the shutout, with a 1-0 victory over Webster on Thursday, Oct. 25 in St. Louis. The Titans' only goal came from junior midfielder Spencer Nedved, his first of the season off a corner kick assist from Jason Lopez, and sophomore keeper Win Fisher recorded the shutout. The nonconference win improves the Titan record to 6-10 and they will take their 4-2 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin mark into a 3 p.m. game against league-leading Carthage at Neis Field on Saturday, Oct. 27.

October 20
Chris Sleezer scored the only goal of the match at the 39:36 mark as the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team won its Homecoming game against Grinnell, 1-0, on Saturday, Oct. 20. Jason Lopez assisted on Sleezer's third goal of the campaign. The Titans, who had 26 shots and nine shots on goal, improved to 5-10 while Grinnell fell to 9-5-1. IWU keeper Frankie Gorg made four saves. The Titans are off until Thursday, Oct. 25, when they travel to St. Louis to face nonconference foe Webster at 7 p.m.

October 17
llinois Wesleyan's Jason Lopez scored three goals as the Titans' men's soccer team defeated North Central, 6-0, at a soggy Neis Field on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Lopez scored two goals in the first six minutes of the game and added another in the 83rd minute. John Blodgett, Ikenna Odinaka and Tim Johnson accounted for the other IWU goals as the team improved to 4-10 overall and 4-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. North Central dropped to 3-10-1 and 0-4-1 in league play. The Titans, who had 24 shots and 10 shots on goal, will host Grinnell at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 in the annual Homecoming game.

October 13
In a game that featured six yellow cards and two red cards, the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost by a 3-1 count at Augustana in Rock Island, Ill., on Saturday, Oct. 13. The Titans' Jeff Carqueville accounted for the team's only goal, unassisted in the 81st minute of play. Keeper Win Fisher made six saves as the Vikings (6-5-3 overall, 1-3-1 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) outshot IWU, 11-10. The Titans, now 3-10 overall and 3-2 in the CCIW, host league opponent North Central at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

October 7
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost a 3-0 decision on the road at Beloit (Wis.) College on Sunday, Oct. 7. The Titans are 3-9 overall while the Buccaneers are 3-6-1. Joshua Khoshbin connected on a pair of goals for Beloit and Will Swendson added the other. Goalkeeper Reggie Lara made six saves for the Titans, who were outshot 15-12. IWU plays next on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Augustana at 7 p.m. in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

October 5
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team was shutout by Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2-0, at IWU's Neis Field on Friday, Oct. 5. IWU fell to 3-8 overall while UW-Oshkosh improved to 10-1 and the shutout was its sixth in seven matches, seventh of the year, and they have allowed just five goals in their 11 matches this season. The Titans had eight shots on goal compared to three by UW-Oshkosh and keeper Frankie Gorg made one save. IWU plays at Beloit on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.

October 3
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team took a 4-2 victory away from Millikin on Wednesday, Oct. 3 in Decatur. Jason Lopez scored a goal and had an assist for the Titans, who improved to 3-7 overall and 3-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. In addition to an "own goal", other goalscorers for IWU were Jeff Carqueville, the current CCIW "Player of the Week" along with Greg Yao. Brett Luy and Andrew Wolschlag had assists and the Titans issued 27 shots, including seven shots on goal.

September 30
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost its first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin match of the year, dropping a 2-1 verdict at Elmhurst on Sunday, Sept. 30. The Titans are 2-7 overall and 2-1 in the league while the Bluejays improved to 9-1-1 overall and 2-0 in the CCIW. Jeff Carqueville scored on a corner kick in the 74th minute to account for the lone IWU score. Keeper Win Fisher made seven saves in the match as the Bluejays put nine shots on goal compared to six for the Titans. IWU plays next on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. against Millikin in Decatur.

September 28
Illinois Wesleyan's Jeff Carqueville scored an unassisted goal in the second overtime to give the Titans a 3-2 win over North Park on Friday, Sept. 28 in Chicago. The Titans trailed 2-0 with 11 minutes left when Jason Lopez scored in the 79th minute and with less than 1:30 to play, Chris Sleezer found the back of the net to tie the game and force overtime. Win Fisher made 10 saves for IWU as the Titans improved to 2-6 overall and 2-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

September 23
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team was blanked by the No. 13-ranked Washington U. Bears, 3-0, in St. Louis on Sunday, Sept. 23. Elie Zenner had a goal and an assist for the winners as the Bears outshot the Titans, 16-5. Titan keeper Frankie Gorg made two saves and the team made three more. IWU next plays in a conference game at North Park on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.

Septembver 18
Freshman forward Alex Clifford's goal early in the second half proved to be the difference as the University of Chicago men's soccer team defeated host Illinois Wesleyan University, 2-1, in non-conference play on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Neis Field. The teams scored 1:37 apart late in the first period. Andrew Hamilton put the Maroons in front with a goal at the 38:37 mark and Chris Sleezer then tallied for Illinois Wesleyan at 40:14 on assists from Paolo Michelini and Colin Aubin to tie the score at the half. Chicago had an 8-3 edge in shots in the first half, before being outshot 7-4 in the final 45 minutes.The Maroons improved to 4-3 while IWU is 1-5 and plays next at Washington U. at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 23.

September 15
Colin Aubin scored on a penalty kick with 2:06 to play in the game to propel Illinois Wesleyan to a 2-1 win over Wheaton on Friday, Sept. 14 at IWU's Neis Field. The Titans improve to 1-4 overall and 1-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while Wheaton is now 3-2-1 and 0-1 in the CCIW. Aubin got the shot after a hand ball in the box was called against the Thunder. Ikenna Odinaka scored the Titans' other goal in the 29th minute and Frankie Gorg and Win Fisher combined for the keeping duties with Gorg making two saves and Fisher making three, including a brilliant late save on a breakaway. The Titans next host the University of Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Neis Field.

September 12
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team played the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to a 0-0 score for the first 83 minutes of the match before surrendering two goals in the final seven minutes to lose, 2-0, at IWU's Neis Field on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The Titans fall to 0-4 overall and the Warhawks, who outshot IWU 14-6 in the game, improved to 4-1. The Titans open College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play Friday night at 7 p.m. with a home match against Wheaton (3-1-1), who lost 2-1 to Dominican on Sept. 12.

September 8
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team lost its home opener on Sat., Sept. 8 at Neis Field, falling 2-1 to nonconference Principia. The Titans trailed 2-0 before a goal from Jason Lopez (shown) in the 77th minute on an assist from Stephen Rensa as Lopez kicked it into the upper right corner of a net left untended by the Principia keeper. The Titans' Win Fisher made two saves as IWU fell to 0-3 this season. IWU hosts Wisconsin-Whitewater at 4:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 12.

September 2
Despite two goals by Jeff Carqueville, the Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team dropped a 3-2 verdict to Randolph Macon on Sun., Sept. 2, at the Randolph Macon Select Tournament on Sun., Sept. 2 in Ashland, Va. Carqueville scored in the 18th minute on an assist from Chris Sleezar and again in the 68th minute on an assist from Ikenna Odinaka. Win Fisher made one save and Frankie Gorg made two saves as each played a half in the game. Jason Lopez was chosen to the all-tournament team. The Titans (0-2) open at home at 4 p.m. on Sept. 8 against Principia.

September 1
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team got an unassisted goal from Jason Lopez in the 48th minute but Brandon Massie had two unassisted goals as Virginia Wesleyan beat the Titans, 2-1, in the Randolph Macon Select Tournament on Sat., Sept. 1 in Ashland, Va. IWU managed only four shots in the game while Virginia Wesleyan had 16, including 11 shots on goal. Titans' keeper Win Fisher made nine saves. IWU plays the host school, Randolph Macon, at noon on Sun., Sept. 2.

August 2
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team has been picked to finish fifth in the 2007 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin preseason coaches’ poll. The Titans (7-10-1 overall, 3-3-1 in the CCIW in 2006) garnered 28 points in the poll. Wheaton was picked first with 46 points and four first place votes while North Park was second with 43 points and three first place votes. Go here for complete poll.

July 5
The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team aims to improve on its 7-10-1 overall record (3-3-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) as it opens its 2007 regular season at the Randolph Macon Invitational Tournament in Ashland, Va., on September 1-2. The Titans play Virginia Wesleyan on day one and then tangle with the host school on the second day. IWU's first home match will be against Principia at 4 p.m. on September 8. Among the key returners is junior defender Matas Cyvas, a two-time all-CCIW selection.