Sept. 9, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. - After starting its 2010 season with a pair of matches in California, the Northwestern men's soccer team returns to the Land of Lincoln to compete in the NIU adidas/Magnuson Inn Invitational. The Wildcats take on Cleveland State at 11:30 a.m. Friday before facing Oregon State at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Northwestern lost a pair of one-goal decisions in California to open its 2010 season last weekend. The Wildcats fell 1-0 to San Francisco before watching a late rally come up just short in a 3-2 loss to Saint Mary's. NU notched four shots on goal in the opener and held a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks, but was unable to tally. The 'Cats fell behind 3-0 18 minutes into Sunday's contest, before rallying to within a goal behind scores by Cody Stanley and freshman Reed Losee. However, the deficit proved too much to overcome.
Scouting Cleveland State
The Vikings (1-1-0) opened their season with a 1-0 loss at St. Bonaventure before kicking off their home slate with a 2-1 victory over Niagara. Cleveland State went 7-8-1 a year ago, including 4-2-2 in Horizon League play. Sophomore forward Admir Suljevic is the team's leading returning scorer after posting 12 points on 3 goals and 6 assists a year ago. Ali Kazemaini is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Vikings.
Scouting Oregon State
The Beavers (2-0-0) kicked off their season with a pair of road wins, defeating UMKC, 2-0, and Green Bay, 2-1. Oregon State is coming off a 9-6-3 campain in 2009, going 5-4-1 against Pac-10 foes to finish in second place. Junior midfielder/forward Colin Mitchell is the team's leading returning scorer after notching 5 goals and 2 assists last season. Steve Simmons is in his second season as the head coach of the Beavers after previously leading Northern Illinois.
Series Information
Northwestern lost its only prior meeting with Clevelend State, 1-0, during the 1989 season. This will be the first matchup between the Wildcats and Oregon State.
Preseason Accolades
Senior forward Matt Eliason has been recognized by multiple organizations heading in his final season. The Lombard, Ill., native is a preseason second-team All-America selection of College Soccer News and is one of 39 individuals named to the watch list for the Hermann Trophy which honors the nation's top collegiate soccer player. He has also been named a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award which recognizes senior student-athletes for their contributions both on and off the field. Northwestern has two other individuals who are returning award winners. Defender Chris Ritter and midfielder Kyle Schickel were named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team last season, while Schickel was an honorable mention pick to the Top Drawer Soccer All-Freshman Team.
Eliason's Stellar Career
Matt Eliason has earned his preseason recognition based on what he has accomplished over his first three seasons at Northwestern. A two-time All-Big Ten first team and the All-Great Lakes Region second team selection, he currently ranks tied with Jonathan Hall (1986-89) for first in school history with 30 career goals. Eliason's 13 goals last season led the Big Ten. He also ranks tied for third all-time at Northwestern with 70 career points, 10 behind career leaders Hall and Gerardo Alvarez (2003-06). Eliason has also gotten the job done in the classroom as he was named an ESPN the Magazine Second-Team Academic All-American and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar a year ago.
Head Coach Tim Lenahan
Tim Lenahan is in his 10th season at the helm at Northwestern as the architect of a program that has undergone a metamorphosis from an also-ran to a national power. He inherited a program that had won a total of four Big Ten matches in the 10 years prior to his arrival and turned it into one that has reached the NCAA tournament in five of the last six seasons. The team has advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal round two of the last four years. Lenahan has an 92-70-23 record at Northwestern and is 218-138-41 mark in 21 seasons overall as a head coach. A 1983 graduate of Richard Stockton College, Lenahan coached for eight seasons at his alma mater and for three more at Lafayette before coming to Evanston.
The Drive for Five
Last year's senior class at Northwestern accomplished something no other class in school history had done--reach the NCAA tournament each year of their collegiate careers. The Wildcats are seeking their fifth straight NCAA appearance in 2010. All five of Northwestern's NCAA tournament appearances have come in the last six seasons (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009). This year's group of seniors has 38 career victories to their credit, 14 shy of the school history of 52 wins set by last year's squad.
Wildcats Picked Third in Big Ten Preseason Poll
Northwestern has been tabbed to finish third in the Big Ten this season in a preseason poll of the conference's head coaches. Defending champ Ohio State is the coaches' choice to remain atop the Big Ten, followed by Indiana. Penn State tied the Wildcats for third place, followed by Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin, respectively. The second-place finish by the Wildcats' a year ago was the best in program history. NU's 3-2-1 mark against conference foes matched the 2004 and 2007 teams for the program's best Big Ten record in a season.
Kupe's Contributions
Senior forward Oliver Kupe has established himself as one of the top table-setters in the Big Ten. A year ago, Kupe tied Michigan State's Jeff Ricando for the conference lead with seven assists. He posted five assists in the team's first four matches this season, recording at least one assist in each of the four contests. Kupe contributed his first helper of the season last Sunday on Reed Losee's goal against Saint Mary's (Calif.).
Jones Joins Coaching Staff
Neil Jones has joined the Wildcats' coaching staff this season, replacing Andy Fleming who left to become the head coach at Xavier. A 2004 graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Jones spent the last four years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, including helping the Gauchos to the 2006 national championship. A four-year starter at UCSB, Jones amassed 28 goals and 16 assists during his career. A native of Auckland, New Zealand, Jones has also spent time competing at the national level as a member of New Zealand's National Team. He earned his first two full international caps playing for New Zealand's World Cup squad and scored two goals in the Kiwi's win over Tahiti during the OFC Nation's Cup. Jones also played in the U-17 World Cup Finals with the national team.
Up Next...
Northwestern opens its 2010 home season next Friday and Sunday when it hosts the annual Lakeside Classic. The Wildcats face Gonazaga on Friday prior to taking on Holy Cross on Sunday. Northern Illinois is also participating in the Classic.
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