(from midwestconference.org)
The Lake Forest College, Carroll University and Illinois College men's soccer teams will descend upon Knox College on Friday for the 2014 Midwest Conference Men's Soccer Tournament at Jorge Prats Field in Galesburg, Illinois, with the winner earning the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Knox College (14-3-0, 9-1-0) will serve as the host and the top seed in the tournament after winning the regular season championship for the first time since 1988. The Prairie Fire had their 13-match overall winning streak and nine-match conference winning streak snapped on by second-seeded Lake Forest on Saturday, 2-1.
Two-time MWC Offensive Performer of the Week Nathaniel Logie leads the Prairie Fire into Friday's semifinal against Illinois College (10-6-2, 6-3-1). Logie led the MWC in the regular season in points (28), goals (13), and game-winning goals (5). Goalkeeper Sean Dockrell shutout nine opponents so far this season including six in league play. Knox and Illinois College matched up on Oct. 29 in Galesburg, with the Prairie Fire scoring a 4-2 victory.
The Blueboys got the help they needed to reach the tournament for the first time since 1993 on Saturday. Facing a must-win game against Cornell College, IC scored an easy 6-0 victory and reached the tournament after St. Norbert College knocked off Carroll in De Pere, Wis.
Reigning MWC Offensive Performer of the Week Josue Hernandez leads Illinois College with eight goals and 17 points. Christian Rwiyaza provides some scoring off the bench with six goals, while Joe Tooley and Jordan Blair have been named Offensive Performers of the Week earlier this season.
Scott Workman has been one of the top goalkeepers in this league in 2014 with a 0.70 goals against average and a save percentage of 80.7%.
Two-time defending champion Lake Forest (7-9-2, 6-2-2) was a facing a must-win match on Saturday against top-seeded Knox and the 2-1 win launched them all the way to the No. 2 seed where they will meet No. 3 Carroll (8-8-2, 6-3-1). Earlier this season, the Pioneers shutout the Foresters in Waukesha, Wis. 2-0, with Liam Michener finding the back of the net twice.
Lake Forest has had 14 players score a goal this season with Elyas Ingram and Dylan Hartman leading the attack with 15 points apiece. Ingram leads the league in shots (66) and shots per game (3.67). In goal, Ian Taylor has shutout three opponents and enters the weekend with a 1.14 goals against average.
Carroll clinched a spot in this weekend's tournament with a 2-0 shutout of Beloit College last Wednesday. Tyler Coenen led the Pioneer offense in nearly every statistical category heading into the postseason including goals (6), points (16), assists (4), and shots (39). Francisco Sajuan and Caden Pruitt also provide some scoring punch as they have scored five and four goals, respectively.
The Pioneers have used six different goalies this season, but Nick Drew has led the way with over 800 minutes and five victories. Jonathan Ramirez has also made four starts in goal.
Knox and Illinois College will play in the first semifinal at 11:00 a.m. with the second semifinal between Lake Forest and Carroll kicking off at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. The winners will meet in Saturday's final at 12:00 p.m.
