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Men's Soccer 2023 CCIW Tournament Champions
Kodiak Creative
3
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU (6-6-4, 3-3-2)
2
Carthage CAR (11-6-2, 4-3-1)
Winner
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
(6-6-4, 3-3-2)
3
Final
2
Carthage CAR
(11-6-2, 4-3-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 0 3 3
Carthage CAR 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men’s Soccer Makes History, Wins CCIW Tournament Championship

Titans will make program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament berth next weekend

KENOSHA, Wis. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team's historic run in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament culminated in the program's first-ever championship as the Titans (6-6-5) took down fourth-seeded Carthage College, 3-2, in Kenosha, Wis. The Green and White scored three times in the final 20 minutes to take down the Firebirds (11-6-2) and earn the CCIW's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Carthage opened the scoring in the 18th minute and then doubled its lead in the 59th, to go up 2-nil.

A penalty kick by senior captain Ryan Miller (Shingle Springs, Calif.-Oak Ridge) proved to be the catalyst for IWU's comeback as the PK cut the Firebirds' advantage in half, 2-1, with just under 20 minutes to play.

Illinois Wesleyan leveled the score just five and a half minutes later as junior Mush Bakirdan (Morton, Ill.-Morton) blasted a shot high and to the left to draw the match even, 2-2. 

Carthage garnered a free kick early in the 85th minute and appeared poised to reclaim the lead, but sophomore keeper Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary Grove) rejected the shot to keep the tie intact. The momentum shifting save set the table for IWU's game-winner at the 87:25 mark. 

Corralling possession after a CC goal kick, Lucas Tran (Carol Stream, Ill.-Glenbard North) fed a ball to senior captain Brody Seaton (Dunlap,Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame), who buried a shot into the back of the net. The goal, Seaton's third of the season, lifted IWU to a 3-2 advantage and ultimately the victory.

Kedzior, who finished the match with three saves, was recognized as the recipient of the CCIW's Elite 26 Award prior to the match. The award is presented to the student-athlete competing at the conference champonship with the highest grade point average.

Illinois Wesleyan will make its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament after earning the CCIW's automatic bid. The Titans will learn their national tournament fate when the full bracket is released as part of the NCAA's Selection Show Monday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. ET. The unveiling of the 64-team bracket will be live streamed on NCAA.com.

 
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