NAPERVILLE --- The CCIW men’s soccer regular season is nearing its conclusion, and the competition remains at a level across the league.

Wheaton secured the outright conference title, while Illinois Wesleyan, North Central and others continue to battle for postseason seeding. With the tournament approaching, every point matters in the race to November.
 
THUNDER CLINCH OUTRIGHT CCIW TITLE AT 7-0-0; STREAK HITS EIGHT
Wheaton is the outright regular-season CCIW champion, improving to 7-0-0 in league play and extending its win streak to eight after a 4-0 win over Millikin last Saturday and a 2-1 win at Carroll on Wednesday. The Thunder are 11-2-3 overall and haven’t lost since Sept. 20.
 
The Thunder top the conference in total points (103) and goals scored (35) through 16 games, while also boasting the league’s best defensive mark with seven shutouts and ranking second in Goals Against Average (1.06) after allowing just 17 goals.
 
Luke Vander Kolk ranks among the CCIW’s top offensive players, sitting second in both total points (27) and goals (12), averaging 1.69 points and 0.75 goals per game … In goal, Jack Krahel leads all conference goalkeepers with seven shutouts, adding 59 saves and the league’s second-best Goals Against Average (1.06) … Craig Rusin shares the conference lead with three multi-point matches, ranking fifth in assists (6), while Cooper Falling stands second in the CCIW with seven assists on the season.
 
Wheaton plays its final match of the regular season next Wednesday at 7 p.m. versus North Central.
 
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN EXTENDS UNBEATEN STREAK TO FOUR
Illinois Wesleyan is 10-2-3 overall and 4-1-1 in the league to own second place in the CCIW standings with 13 points. The Titans are riding a four-match unbeaten streak (3-0-1) since Oct. 11 and played to a 1-1 draw with North Central on Wednesday.
 
The Titans share the conference lead in total points (103) with Wheaton and pace the league in goals per game (2.27), total assists (35), and assists per game (2.33) … IWU’s balanced play extends to the defensive side as well, where the team holds the top goals-against average in the CCIW (0.93) and has allowed just 14 goals in 15 matches … The Titans’ relentless attack also ranks second in total shots (304) among all conference teams.
 
Between the posts, goalkeeper Sam Kedzior anchors the defense, leading the league in goals-against average (0.98) and ranking second in save percentage (.806). Kedzior reached a career milestone on Wednesday, becoming the first player in program history to record 250 career saves during the draw with North Central … Offensively, Ben Lyons fuels the IWU attack, leading the conference with 58 total shots (3.87 per game) and setting a school record with nine shots in the Titans’ 3-0 win over Elmhurst last Saturday … Ryder Coleman has also been a key playmaker, ranking third in the CCIW with six assists and recording a two-goal performance against Wheaton earlier this month.
 
IWU will try to bolster its position in the race for CCIW Championship seeding on Saturday when the Titans visit Carroll at 7:30 p.m.
 
NORTH CENTRAL PUSHES UNBEATEN RUN TO NINE MATCHES
North Central continues to impress, posting a 7-1-7 overall record and a 3-0-3 mark in CCIW play, good for third place in the conference standings with 12 points. Each of NCC’s last two league matches have ended as a draw, and the Cardinals’ active unbeaten stretch has reached nine matches (5-0-4) since Sept. 21.
 
The Cardinals boast one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, leading the CCIW in total shots (307) and shots per game (20.47) while ranking second in assists (33) and assists per game (2.20) … Defensively, North Central remains steady, sitting third in goals-against average (1.07) and second in total shutouts (5) through 15 matches.
 
Freshman Joseph Sargent headlines the Cardinals’ attack, leading the CCIW in both goals (13) and points (27) … Fellow freshman Marco Costabile has been an elite distributor, topping the conference with 10 assists and a 0.67 assists-per-game average … In goal, Daniel Szalai anchors the defense with a 1.08 goals-against average, ranking third in the CCIW, while recording 28 saves and five shutouts across 12 appearances.
 
The Cardinals hit the road Saturday to meet North Park at 2 p.m. in Chicago.
 
NORTH PARK BUILDS MOMENTUM WITH UNBEATEN WEEK
North Park remains firmly in the postseason mix, carrying an 8-5-1 overall record and a 3-3-0 mark in CCIW play, good for fourth place in the conference standings with nine points. The Vikings are coming off a strong week that included a 2-1 road win at Carroll last Saturday and a scoreless draw with Wisconsin-Platteville on Wednesday.
 
Offensively, North Park ranks fourth in the CCIW in goals per game (2.00) and tied for fourth in assists (21), while sitting fifth in total shots (196) at 14.0 per match … On the defensive side, the Vikings own the fourth-best goals-against average (1.36) in the league, having allowed just 19 goals in 14 matches.
 
Senior midfielder Vidar Rydell continues to be a central figure for the Vikings, ranking among the CCIW leaders with 30 total shots and five assists, averaging 2.14 shots and 0.36 assists per game. He has logged two multi-point outings this season, one of just two Vikings to do so … Nico Chavez fueled the recent win over Carroll with a two-goal performance, including the game-winner off a Hugo Neborg corner … Meanwhile, sophomore Bastian Eikeland remains a consistent offensive threat, sitting third among active Vikings in career points (28) with 11 goals and six assists over 27 matches.
 
CARROLL FIGHTS FOR PLAYOFF POSITION ON HOME TURF
Carroll enters the final week of the regular season with a 6-8-1 overall record and a 3-4-0 mark in CCIW play – fourth place in the conference race with nine points.
 
CU is seventh in the CCIW in goals per game (1.13) and total assists (12) while averaging 11.07 shots per match. Defensively, the Pioneers have allowed 27 goals in 15 contests for a 1.80 goals-against average, ranking seventh in the league, but have also shown resilience in goal, standing fourth in the CCIW with 67 total saves (4.47 per game).
 
Marti Solanelles continues to pace the Carroll attack, ranking among the conference leaders with 57 total shots (3.80 per game) and four assists, while recording two multi-point outings this fall … Iskander Sharipov provides another scoring spark, ranking fourth in the CCIW with seven goals (0.47 per game), highlighted by a hat trick in the season opener against Benedictine … In goal, Uriel Garcia continues to steady the Pioneers’ back line, logging five saves in a 2-1 setback to Wheaton on Wednesday while playing the full 90 minutes.
 
The Pioneers are on home turf Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against Illinois Wesleyan.
 
FIREBIRDS FIND FORM LATE IN LEAGUE PLAY
Carthage found its spark, earning its first CCIW win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Augustana on Wednesday. The result lifted the Firebirds to 2-8-3 overall and 1-3-2 in league play, while extending their unbeaten run to two matches following a 2-2 draw with North Central last Saturday. 
 
Carthage ranks second in the conference in total saves (86) and first in saves per game (6.62) through 13 matches … Offensively, Carthage averages 1.08 goals per game and 9.15 shots per match, tied for eighth in the CCIW in total attempts (119).
 
Between the posts, Aaron The has been a standout performer, leading the entire CCIW in saves (81) and saves per game (6.75) while also topping the league with a .810 save percentage. His consistency has kept the Firebirds in numerous close matches … On the attacking end, Eli Schoffstall provided a lift in the win over Augustana, scoring his second goal of the season and recording a team-high six shots, including three on target.
 
This Saturday at 4:30 p.m. is Carthage’s next scheduled match at Elmhurst.
 
BIG BLUE SEEK REBOUND AS POSTSEASON NEARS
Millikin enters the closing stretch of the season with a 5-9-1 overall record and a 1-4-1 mark in CCIW play, sitting tied for seventh in the conference standings with four points. The Big Blue look to rebound after a challenging stretch that included a 5-2 loss at Wisconsin–Whitewater on Wednesday. 
 
MU has shown plenty of scoring punch, ranking fourth in the CCIW in goals (29) and total points (79) while also sitting fourth in total shots (203) and fifth in assists (21) … Defensively, the Big Blue continue to rely heavily on their goalkeepers, leading the entire conference in total saves (115) and saves per game (7.67).
 
Bryce Davis has been the focal point of the attack, ranking third in the CCIW with eight goals and totaling 17 points (1.13 per game) through 15 appearances … Freshman Olav Kaldahl has emerged as a key contributor up front, sitting fifth in the conference in both total shots (38) and shots per game (2.92), highlighted by a two-goal effort against Monmouth earlier this season … Senior Landon Welch continues to provide playmaking consistency from midfield, ranking among the top ten in assists per game with four assists and 12 total points, including two multi-point performances.
 
Millikin is slated to play its final home match of the regular season on Saturday when Augustana comes to Decatur for a 3:30 p.m. start.
 
AUGUSTANA STAYS TOUGH BEHIND GABRIELSSON IN GOAL
Augustana continues to battle through CCIW play, entering the final stretch of the regular season with a 3-7-3 overall record and a 1-4-1 mark in conference action, tying them for seventh place in the league standings with four points. The Vikings are looking to rebound following a 3-1 setback to Carthage on Wednesday. 
 
Despite the recent results, Augustana has remained resilient defensively, ranking third in the CCIW in total saves (78) and averaging 6.00 saves per match.
 
William Gabrielsson has been a key performer, standing among the CCIW’s best with 71 total saves (5.46 per game), a .740 save percentage, and two shutouts on the season … On the attacking end, Javi Landin has been the most productive Viking, averaging 0.83 points per game and ranking tied for eighth in the conference with four assists, including the team’s lone goal in the loss to Carthage.
 
Augie hits the road Saturday to meet Millikin at 3:30 p.m.
 
BLUEJAYS TOP BELOIT BEHIND TZANKOV’S TWO GOALS
Elmhurst continues to compete hard through the final stretch of the season, entering the last week with a 5-10-2 overall record and a 1-5-0 mark in CCIW play. The Bluejays earned a lift with a 3-1 non-conference victory over Beloit on Wednesday. 
 
The team has found success in generating set-piece opportunities, ranking third in the league in total corners (80) and averaging 4.71 per match … Defensively, Elmhurst owns the fifth-best goals-against average (1.71) and ranks sixth in total saves (72).
 
Niyen Ruffin has been a reliable presence in goal, landing fourth in the CCIW in both total saves (58) and saves per game (4.14). Ruffin posted nine saves in a standout performance against Illinois Wesleyan earlier this month … Offensively, freshman Klaus Gartner has made an immediate impact, leading the team with four goals, including one in the win over Beloit … Senior forward Michail Tzankov also starred in that victory, recording two goals for a multi-point effort.
 
Elmhurst plays its final home match of the campaign on Saturday against Carthage. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.