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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Soccer alumni return to NIU

By Sean Connor | August 25, 2003

The 10th annual Alumnae SoccerFest kicked off at noon Saturday at Huskie Soccer Field.

The NIU women’s soccer team defeated the alumni 3-1 and the men’s team topped its elder counterparts 5-1.

Jill Heikkila and Angeline Impelido scored the only first-half goals for either team as the current Huskies led 2-0 at the break.

Freshman Megan Kolkay scored her first goal in a Huskie uniform. Kolkay’s shot into the back-left corner of the net extended the Huskies lead to three.

The alumna ended any thoughts of a shutout when Anna Marinaccio squeaked in a rebound for the score after Allison Wade’s shot was blocked.

The female alumna received no help from the officials, being called for four fouls to NIU’s six. The male alumni, on the other hand, were called for two penalties to NIU’s 19.

Sarah "Willy" Wilkins, who played at NIU from 1995 through ‘98, came back to play because she never lost her passion for the game.

"It’s always good to get out here and see if the team chemistry is still there," Wilkins said.

While the women headed back to the locker room, Steve Simmons jogged onto the Huskie Soccer Field for the first time as the head coach for the NIU men’s soccer team.

"He is extremely intense, has a winning attitude and him being here will make for a great season in my last year," senior Matt Stukenberg said.

The elder and heavier alumni were forced to play two heat-scorching 35-minute halves. The more aggressive style of offense instilled by Simmons, as opposed to the passive offense taught by recent NIU men’s soccer coach Willy Roy, took its toll on the alumni.

Vrahram Kadkhodaian recorded a hat trick with his first goal coming five minutes into the game. Kadkhodaian weaved to his left through three alumni defenders and scored back to the right side of the net on alumni goalkeeper Steve Brody.

Freshman Justin McGrane scored the next pair of goals, putting the Huskies ahead 3-0.

The alumni got on the board with the second penalty kick of the game attempted by Mike Gentile, but it proved to be their lone goal.

Kadkhodaian’s final two goals closed out the scoring and the play of Mike Corvo, Simmons’ lone freshman recruit of the seven that came in, caught the eye of onlookers.

"He’s working hard and is looking good so far," Stukenberg said. "He’ll be a good addition to the team."

Soccer names interim coach

By Frank Rusnak | February 24, 2003

On Friday, NIU Athletics Director Cary Groth told the men’s soccer team that its interim coach will be assistant strength and conditioning coach Ryan Zeman. While Zeman will take on the physical portion of coaching, the team’s captains will coach...

Roy won’t be back

By Frank Rusnak | February 19, 2003

Willy Roy, NIU’s winningest men’s soccer coach, will not have his contract renewed next season. A former World Cup performer, Roy, 60, has been the head coach for the Huskies the past 16 seasons, accumulating a record of 142-131-22. "Late last week...

Men’s soccer sets sights on 2003 season

By Sean Connor | November 12, 2002

The last game of the season for the NIU men’s soccer team symbolized exactly the way the season went for a youthful Huskie squad. NIU scored the first goal Friday in a loss to Marshall in the first round of the MAC championship tournament. This season...

Soccer closes out season with shootout

By Sean Connor | November 11, 2002

For the third year in a row, the NIU men’s soccer team lost in the first round of the MAC championship tournament. Bernhard Hagevik continued to add to his collection of goals when he beat Marshall’s Jeremy Williams one minute and 51 seconds into...

Men’s soccer begins MAC tournament

By Sean Connor | November 8, 2002

With a 5-2 lead, the NIU men’s soccer team was running away from Marshall. However, three different Thundering Herd players scored in the last 29 minutes, and a loose ball in front of the net happened to find its way past NIU netminder Steve Goletz....

Men’s soccer drops two MAC games

By Sean Connor | October 28, 2002

The NIU men’s soccer team needed to convert more scoring opportunities on offense. Bernhard Hagevik and Rasih Pala answered the call, netting five goals against Marshall on Friday. However, defensive breakdowns at the end of the first half and in the...

MAC POW Goletz leads Huskies as season winds down

By Sean Connor | October 25, 2002

The NIU men’s soccer team is on a roll going into the last two games of the regular season. Following the lead of freshman goalkeeper Steve Goletz, named MAC Player of the Week, the Huskies find themselves in a fourth place tie with their next opponent,...

Weekend sweep for men’s soccer

By Sean Connor | October 21, 2002

A deep sigh of relief was breathed by head coach Willy Roy and the NIU men’s soccer team after its 2-1 overtime victory at Buffalo. It was NIU’s first MAC win of the season. Thomas Meiner struck quickly for NIU when he knocked in a one-timer, with...

Soccer travels to Buffalo trying to kick losing streak

By Sean O’Connor | October 18, 2002

Though the NIU men’s soccer team has two wins this season, both have come on the road. Traveling to Buffalo today for a 7 p.m. showdown will be the perfect opportunity for the Huskies to snap a six-game losing streak. In the Huskies’ last win against...

Alumni to be inducted into Hall of Fame

By Chris Jurmann | October 17, 2002

Homecoming weekend isn’t just about celebrating and festivities surrounding the current NIU football team. It also marks the induction of members into the NIU Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame will enshrine five new members and...

NIU burned by Flames

By Sean Connor | October 10, 2002

As the NIU men’s soccer team huddled together after its 1-0 loss to Illinois-Chicago, head coach Willy Roy told them, "Keep your head up. You fought hard. You have nothing to be ashamed of." This seems to be a recurring theme this season, but the Huskies...

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