McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University's men's soccer team will play in its first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championship on Saturday, November 8. The Titans, currently ranked No. 2, will host North Park University at Neis Field with kickoff scheduled for noon.

Illinois Wesleyan enters the match with a 12-2-4 record overall and a 6-2-1 mark at home. Earlier this season, the Titans defeated North Park at Neis Field.

In their most recent game, Illinois Wesleyan secured a 4-1 victory over North Central College in the CCIW Semifinals on Wednesday, November 5. This win marked the team's twelfth of the season, tying a program record set by the 1995 squad. Senior Logan Tierney opened scoring late in the first period. After North Central equalized early in the second period, Illinois Wesleyan responded with three goals in nineteen minutes to secure the win. The four goals scored were the most by Illinois Wesleyan in a postseason match.

Junior Matthew Perchik contributed the game-winning goal against North Central College, bringing his season total to five goals and placing him third on the team with fourteen points. Sophomore Ben Lyons is just ahead with six goals and sixteen points, while junior Ryder Coleman leads with eighteen points from six goals and six assists.

Senior goalkeeper Sam Kedzior made his sixth postseason start and recorded seven saves against North Central College, increasing his season total to seventy-nine saves.

North Park University arrives as preseason CCIW favorites with a 10-6-2 record. The Vikings have posted postseason wins over Carroll University and Wheaton College. Sophomore Bastian Eikeland leads their offense with twelve points from six assists and scored the game-winner in their semifinal match.

Historically, North Park has led the series between these teams with twenty-nine wins to Illinois Wesleyan's ten and three draws; they also had a twelve-game winning streak during the 2010s. In their last meeting on October 11 at Neis Field, Illinois Wesleyan won 2-1 behind goals from Perchik and junior Faheem Mujahid.

The winner of Saturday’s championship will receive an automatic bid to participate in the NCAA Tournament.