Maureen Harty Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
Maureen Harty Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
The 2025 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Soccer Championship is set to begin this Saturday, marking the start of the league’s 23rd annual postseason tournament. Six teams have qualified for the event, which will feature quarterfinal matches at campus sites.
Wheaton College enters as the top seed after finishing conference play unbeaten and winning its second consecutive outright league title. The Thunder last won the tournament in 2014 and have been led by senior forward Luke Vander Kolk, who has scored 12 goals this season, and goalkeeper Jack Krahel, who leads all CCIW goalkeepers with seven shutouts.
Illinois Wesleyan secured the second seed following a win over Millikin in their regular-season finale. The Titans led the conference in points and assists while allowing only 16 goals during the season. Senior Ryder Coleman contributed six goals and six assists, while goalkeeper Sam Kedzior posted four shutouts and held opponents to less than one goal per game on average.
Defending champion North Central holds the third seed after an unbeaten run through conference play. The Cardinals tied for first in goals scored and finished second in assists and points. Senior Joseph Sargent led all CCIW players with 13 goals.
North Park, seeded fourth, will host Carroll University in one of Saturday’s quarterfinals. North Park’s attack has been paced by Vidar Rydell with six assists, while Bastian Eikeland added multiple multi-goal games.
Carroll earned a fifth-place tie after a strong stretch in October and is seeking its first-ever CCIW tournament championship. Freshman Iskander Sharipov provided a breakout performance with seven goals this season.
Carthage rounds out the field as the sixth seed after two wins and two draws late in the season secured their spot. Sophomore goalkeeper Aaron The led all CCIW players with 92 saves and three shutouts.
Admission for all matches is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors aged 65 or older and children ages six or older; children five or younger are admitted free, as are CCIW students presenting valid ID.
The semifinals are scheduled for next Wednesday at Wheaton’s Joe Bean Stadium and Illinois Wesleyan’s Neis Field. Both matches will kick off at 7 p.m., featuring winners from Saturday's quarterfinals against each top-seeded team.
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