Home
NPU Soccer Coach Hopes for Fourth Straight Winning Season
CHICAGO, IL (August 19, 2003) - Although he lost six starters from last year's
squad, North Park University (NPU) men's soccer coach John Born believes
his 2003 lineup can compete favorably with the best in the College
Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).
Last year, the Vikings finished 9-6-3, (2-4 in the CCIW), with a
schedule that included six teams ranked among the best in their
respective regions. This year's schedule isn't much easier, but Born's
returning starters, along with a few newcomers, give him optimism that
his program can enjoy a fourth straight winning season.
"I think we've got a great group of young men," said Born, who is
33-28-13 in his coaching career at NPU. "A lot of guys have improved
greatly from last year to this year and I think we'll be very
competitive in the CCIW and in nonconference (games). We'll have to stay
healthy though."
Defensively, North Park will rely on senior goalkeeper Matt Evans of
Quincy, Illinois. Evans had a goals-against-average of 0.90 and posted
nine shutouts, including 0-0 ties against nationally-ranked Centre of
Kentucky and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Three sophomores, Henrik Wihlborg, Matt Moncada, and Darryl Payne, will
also get plenty of responsibility in Born's lineup. Moncada had six
goals and an assist as a forward while Wihlborg added two goals from his
defensive spot. Moncada is from Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Wihlborg is
from Ljungby, Sweden.
Payne, who is from Moline, Illinois, was a second-team All-CCIW
midfielder who scored two goals and added five assists, but his
leadership may be even more important, said Born. Payne is a tri-captain
for the Vikings with Evans and Wihlborg.
"Payne played about five positions last year and he can play anywhere we
need him," Born said. "He's a great leader and a great person; he's
always got a smile on his face."
NPU has many players who have come from Covenant churches or schools.
They include returning starters Adam Johnson (who grew up in East
Bridgewater, Massachusetts); Jerry Yang (who attended Minnehaha Academy
in Minneapolis) and returning letter winners Jamie Rose (Wasilla,
Alaska) and Andrew Quigley (Hudson, New Hampshire), along with newcomers
Nick Bruckner (Chicago, Illinois), Ben Feijoo (Quito, Ecuador), Jon-Erik
Johnson (Westminster, Colorado), and Scott Orians and Austin Person, who
both attended Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska.
One incoming player who could make an immediate impact, said Born, is
forward Isaac Lee, a freshman who attended Marmion Academy in Aurora,
Illinois. Lee grew up in Seoul, Korea, and trained at the highest levels
of junior competition before attending high school in the United States.
He helped his team win a conference and regional title while posting a
24-2-1 record last fall.
The Vikings would also benefit from the return of All-Conference player
Andreas Olofsson, a senior who is currently finishing student teaching
in the Chicago suburbs. He is undecided about playing but the presence
of last year's top scorer (seven goals and seven assists) would boost
NPU's offense immediately. It could also give the team some stability
during a tough early season road schedule.
NPU opens its season in Ohio with a tournament on August 29 against
Bethany College of West Virginia. If the Vikings win, they would likely
play the host school, Ohio Wesleyan University, on August 30. Ohio
Wesleyan is ranked 11th in the preseason NCAA Division III men's soccer
poll.
After playing their first six games on the road (including a contest at
15th rated UW-Whitewater), the Vikings host Milwaukee School of
Engineering on September 17. They open CCIW action with a September 24
game at North Central College, and finish CCIW play against the Wheaton
College Thunder, ranked first in the preseason CCIW poll, on October 30.
The Thunder is ranked fifth in the preseason Division III rankings after
making the quarterfinals of the national Division III men's soccer
playoffs last year.
For more information on the NPU men's soccer program, check the school's
website at www.northpark.edu under the Current Students/athletics link.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
