NAPERVILLE — The 2025 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Soccer Championship officially begins Saturday with a pair of quarterfinal matches, setting the stage for what will be the league’s 23rd annual postseason tournament.
 
Top-seeded Wheaton enters the event unbeaten in conference play and seeking its first tournament crown since 2014, while defending champion North Central aims for a fourth title in five years. Illinois Wesleyan, the regular-season runner-up, looks to capture the championship from the No. 2 seed, and perennial contender North Park joins the field as the No. 4 seed.
 
Admission to all tournament matches -- which is cash only on many campuses -- is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and children ages six and older. Children five and younger are free, as are CCIW students when presenting a valid student ID.
 
#1 Wheaton
2025 Record: 11-2-4, 7-0-1 CCIW (1st, 22 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 39
Last Season: Lost in semifinals
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: 2014
 
Wheaton is the top seed in the upcoming tournament after posting a 7-0-1 record during the CCIW schedule. The result was the Thunder’s second consecutive outright league title, the second time they’ve finished in first place in consecutive seasons since winning four in a row from 2012 through 2015.
 
Wheaton’s offense has been among the most efficient in the CCIW, ranking first in goals per game (2.18) with 37 tallies over 17 matches, while also producing 35 assists to rank third in the league. The Thunder averaged 15.0 shots per game and generated nearly six corner kicks per contest, showcasing a steady attack that led to an average scoring margin of +1.06. Defensively, Wheaton has been equally sharp, allowing just 19 goals for a 1.12 goals-against average, while goalkeeper Jack Krahel has helped anchor a unit that leads the conference with seven shutouts and ranks second in save percentage at .776
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Wheaton has leaned on a dynamic offensive trio that has powered its high-scoring attack. Senior forward Luke Vander Kolk ranks among the CCIW’s elite with 12 goals and 27 points, both second in the conference, while fellow veteran Kyle Johnson adds experience and scoring depth as one of the league’s active career leaders with 24 goals and 56 points. Midfielders Craig Rusin and Cooper Falling have been catalysts in creating chances, each tied for third in the CCIW with seven assists, while both also contributed three goals apiece to finish with 13 total points. Defensively, Krahel has posted a 1.12 goals-against average with 62 saves and a .765 save percentage, leading all CCIW goalkeepers with seven shutouts this season
 
WC, riding a nine-match unbeaten streak (8-0-1) since Sept. 27, will meet either North Park or Carroll in next Wednesday’s semifinal at Joe Bean Stadium at 7 p.m. The Thunder earned victories over both squads during the regular season.
 
#2 Illinois Wesleyan
2025 Record: 11-2-4, 5-1-2 CCIW (2nd, 17 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 74
Last Season: Lost in semifinals
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: 2023
 
Illinois Wesleyan will be in the CCIW Tournament semifinal round for the third consecutive season and the seventh time since 2016. IWU finished the regular season 11-2-4 overall and 5-1-2 in the league, beating Millikin 2-1 in Wednesday’s regular-season finale to secure the tournament’s second seed.
 
The Titans’ offense was among the league’s most productive, tying for the CCIW lead with 37 goals (2.18 per game) and ranking first in both points (112) and assists (38). IWU also led the league in total shots (341) and corner kicks (97), averaging more than 20 attempts and nearly six corners per outing. Defensively, the Titans were the stingiest team in the CCIW, surrendering only 16 goals in 17 matches for a conference-best 0.94 goals-against average and producing four shutouts behind the steady play of senior goalkeeper Sam Kedzior, whose .812 save percentage ranked second in the league
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The Titans featured a balanced offensive attack led by senior Ryder Coleman, who ranked among the CCIW’s top playmakers with six goals and six assists for 18 points. Ben Lyons provided a consistent scoring threat with six goals and three assists (15 points), while Matthew Perchik added five goals and three assists in just 13 appearances. Supporting the offense, midfielders Hunter Reinberg and Kamau Kalabi each tallied multiple assists, and forward Faheem Mujahid chipped in four assists and 11 career goals to bolster the attack. In goal, Kedzior’s veteran leadership anchored the back line, as he posted 69 saves, four shutouts, and the league’s top goals-against mark at 0.98 per game.
 
The Titans’ opponent for next Wednesday’s semifinal round at Neis Field will be either North Central or Carthage. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
#3 North Central
2025 Record: 8-1-8, 4-0-4 CCIW (3rd, 16 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 89
Last Season: Won championship
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: 2024
 
North Central is the defending tournament champion and has won three CCIW Tournament crowns in the last four seasons. One of only two teams without a CCIW loss in 2025, the Cardinals are 8-1-8 overall and 4-0-4 against league foes. NCC owns an active 11-match unbeaten streak (6-0-5) since Sept. 21 and are 4-0-4 when playing at home this season. NCC’s quarterfinal opponent on Saturday at 2 p.m. will be Carthage. The two squads played to a 2-2 draw in Kenosha on Oct. 18.
 
The Cardinals ranked among the league’s most balanced squads on both sides of the ball. North Central tied for the conference lead with 37 goals (2.18 per game) and finished second in assists (37) and points (111), while ranking second in total shots (325) and first in corner kicks (118). Defensively, the Cardinals matched Wheaton for the second-best goals-against average (1.12), allowing just 19 goals in 17 matches. Their +1.06 average scoring margin reflected both offensive depth and defensive organization, while a .729 team save percentage and five shutouts rounded out a complete performance across all phases.
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Offensively, the Cardinals were powered by senior forward Joseph Sargent, who led the CCIW with 13 goals and 27 points, averaging 1.69 points per match. Midfielder Griffin French added eight goals and two assists for 18 points, while Aleks Duncevic ranked second in the conference with eight assists and contributed two goals for a 12-point season. Fellow senior Marco Costabile led the CCIW with 10 assists and had multiple multi-assist matches, and Will Mayer added consistent production with 35 shots. In goal, Daniel Szalai compiled a 1.07 goals-against average and a .711 save percentage over 13 appearances, collecting two shutouts.
 
#4 North Park
2025 Record: 8-6-2, 3-4-1 CCIW (T-4th, 10 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 102
Last Season: Lost championship
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: 2019
 
Preseason CCIW favorite North Park takes the fourth seed into Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup with Carroll at Holmgren Athletic Complex in Chicago. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. The Vikings own an 8-6-2 overall mark and tied for fourth place in the league standings with the Pioneers.
 
The Vikings ranked fifth in the league with 31 goals (1.94 per game) while also averaging 14.8 shots and 5.3 corner kicks per outing. Their +0.50 scoring margin underscored an attack capable of creating pressure in the final third while maintaining defensive discipline. Defensively, North Park allowed just 23 goals for a 1.44 goals-against average, ranking fourth in the conference, and produced three shutouts. The Vikings also demonstrated their ability to generate opportunities through consistent buildup play, registering 23 team assists and a .689 team save percentage across 16 contests
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The Vikings’ attack was led by senior forward Vidar Rydell, one of the CCIW’s top creators, who recorded six assists and added 32 shots to pace North Park’s front line. Fellow forward Bastian Eikeland contributed multiple multi-goal performances and ranked among the league’s active scoring leaders with 11 career goals. Midfielder Mathias Soerum added five assists, while Alexander Gahm chipped in with several multi-assist matches and emerged as a key distributor in the midfield. Between the posts, goalkeeper Ludvig Almborg was steady throughout the season, finishing with 39 saves, a 1.47 goals-against average, and a .696 save percentage.
 
#5 Carroll
2025 Record: 6-9-2, 3-4-1 CCIW (T-4th, 10 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 160
Last Season: Lost in quarterfinals
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: None
 
Carroll won three out of four contests during a 12-day stretch in early October that allowed the Pioneers to snag a fourth-place tie and the fifth seed in the CCIW Tournament. CU will visit North Park Saturday at 5 p.m. in the quarterfinal round, a rematch of a 2-1 NPU win on Oct. 18 in Waukesha. CU is 6-9-2 overall this season, including a 3-4-1 record in the league.
 
The Pioneers’ offense scored 18 goals across 17 matches (1.06 per game) while taking 180 shots and earning 55 corner kicks. Despite ranking in the middle of the pack statistically, Carroll remained competitive thanks to a resilient defensive unit that allowed just 31 goals (1.82 per game) and posted three shutouts.
 
Carroll’s attack was highlighted by senior forward Marti Solanelles, who ranked among the league leaders with 62 shots (3.88 per game) and finished with four assists while continuing to climb the CCIW’s active scoring charts with 25 career goals and 68 career points. Freshman Iskander Sharipov provided a breakout scoring presence with seven goals, good for fifth in the conference, while teammate Matthew Meke added five goals to give Carroll multiple scoring options.
 
#6 Carthage
2025 Record: 3-8-4, 2-3-3 CCIW (6th, 9 points)
2025 NPI Ranking: 217
Last Season: Did not qualify
Most Recent CCIW Tournament Championship: 2018
 
Two league wins and two league draws over the season’s final two weeks propelled the Firebirds sixth place in the final league standings and the final slot in the tournament. Carthage finished 3-8-4 and 2-3-3 in the CCIW to set up Saturday’s quarterfinal bout with North Central at 2 p.m. in Naperville. 
 
The Firebirds netted 18 goals in 15 matches (1.20 per game) while allowing just 25, posting a 1.67 goals-against average that ranked fifth in the league. Their defensive efforts kept them in several low-scoring contests, as Carthage finished the season with three shutouts and a .795 team save percentage—second only to Illinois Wesleyan. Offensively, the Firebirds produced 141 total shots and earned 45 corner kicks, while maintaining one of the conference’s most disciplined defensive records with just 26 yellow cards and no red cards across the season. 
 
Carthage was anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Aaron The, who put together an outstanding campaign between the posts. The led the CCIW in both saves (92) and save percentage (.814), while ranking second with three shutouts. Offensively, midfielder Juan Ramirez added key offensive support, including a two-goal performance at Millikin, while Emmitt Hansen contributed five assists, placing him among the conference’s top distributors.