Chalk one up for NIU soccer coach Willy Roy.

Going into his fourth season at the helm of NIU’s soccer program, Roy has scored a major recruiting victory over four other state rivals by luring one of Illinois’ top players, The Northern Star learned.

Despite full-ride offers from Illinois State and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Maine South High School’s Derek Niepomnik has verbally committed to donning the Huskies’ cardinal and black in the fall.

“(Derek) is definitely going to be a Huskie,” Mr. Christopher Niepomnik said. “We’ve cancelled all other appointments. There’s no question, he’s an NIU player. The papers are on his desk.”

Maine South’s soccer coach Steve Dezurko said between 15 and 20 schools expressed interest in the 6-3, 182-pound sweeper from Niles. That list includes some of the top soccer programs in the country: Indiana, Syracuse, the University of Connecticut, Southern Methodist, Eastern Illinois and Loyola. SIU-E and ISU were the only two to offer scholarships.

“We were kind of leaning towards ISU,” Mr. Niepomnik admitted.

That’s when Roy diverted the family’s decision. Mr. Niepomnik said he and Derek were hearing stories of how NIU is only a corn field school, which had the duo tentative about DeKalb.

“We heard NIU cornfield stories,” Mr. Niepomnik said. “How it is so isolated from the world, but Willy Roy said that’s not all true.”

After visiting NIU and Roy, the Niepomniks decided DeKalb is the place Derek would be spending the next four years of his life.

“Roy showed us the facilities and it wasn’t like what people were telling us,” Mr. Niepomnik said. “NIU is kind of like a town within a town. We were quite impressed.”

The Niepomnik’s became familiar with Roy’s team and style of play by watching last season’s contests on SportsChannel.

“Derek was very much interested in their team concept,” Mr. Niepomnik said. “He will be playing with some very good players and he felt like he’d fit in the program.”

Niepomnik, a 1990 All-American selection, All-Area Honorary Captain (signifying the best player in the area), All-State First-Team and MVP of the Maine South squad, scored 22 goals and added 24 assists in his senior season. Not to mention his selection as a Central Suburban League Scholar Athlete.

“He’s an outstanding soccer player,” Maine South Athletic Director Jim Rees said. “He’s just a top-notch kid, in addition to a great athlete. From a selfish point of view, it’s nice to know he’ll be playing nearby.”

It is believed that Niepomnik can fill Willy Roy Jr.‘s shoes by being one of the biggest deadball threats in the country.

“Without a doubt,” Dezurko said. “He’s a left-footed kicker with a very powerful foot. One time in practice, he broke the wrist of one of our reserve goalies on a penalty shot.”

Niepomnik, Illinois No. 2-rated player, will officially become a Huskie when he signs the National Letter of Intent on Wednesday.