Covenant News

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.

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