Press Releases
Wheaton men earn CCIW automatic bid in a 4-3 shootout win against Carthage
Nov 09, 2008
Press Release posted by Wheaton (Ill.) Permalink
Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton Thunder men’s soccer team and Carthage battled to a 0-0 tie tonight in the Championship Match of the 2008 CCIW Men’s Soccer Tournament. After 110 drama-filled minutes the tension continued during the penalty kick shootout to determine the tournament champion and the recipient of the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Tournament. Wheaton rallied to win the shootout 4-3 and secure the postseason appearance.
Wheaton out-shot Carthage 27-19 during tonight’s match with an 11-8 Red Men advantage in corner kicks. Wheaton freshman Kit Carson made four saves in 110 minutes in the Thunder net to post the shutout. Carthage netminder Andy Connor made 12 saves in posting the shutout.
As the shootout began Connor remained in goal for the Red Men, however, senior Joe Selvaggio stepped into the net for the Thunder. Carthage took an early1-0 advantage to open the shootout after the first round of kicks. Each team made their kicks in the second and third rounds, respectively for a 3-2 Carthage edge. On its fourth kick of the shootout Carthage was stymied by a diving Selvaggio deflection and then Wheaton senior Damon Brown followed with a converted kick to tie the shootout at 3-3. On Carthage’s fifth and final scheduled attempt of the shootout Selvaggio made another diving stop to keep things knotted at 3-3. Senior captain Joel DeLass converted on the final attempt of the shootout to give the Thunder the tournament title and send the team to the postseason.
Thunder head coach Dr. Mike Giuliano noted after the match, “We made the decision to switch goalkeepers as we headed into the shootout and it worked to perfection.” Giuliano added, “We had practiced PK’s earlier to determined who would take the kicks and while we were watching, all of our coaches saw the same thing – Joe was special in that role.” He concluded, “Joe did a great job and it’s a memory that neither he nor I will forget.”
Giuliano mentioned, “People are prone to hyperbole in a moment like this, but I think Carthage played the best game I have seen a CCIW team play. We were fortunate to win the shootout tonight.” He added, “I have seen Carthage play four times this year and they have improved every time I have seen them. I hope that they get into the NCAA Tournament because they played great soccer tonight.”
Wheaton is now 15-3-3 on the year, while Carthage is 10-6-5 overall.
Wheaton out-shot Carthage 27-19 during tonight’s match with an 11-8 Red Men advantage in corner kicks. Wheaton freshman Kit Carson made four saves in 110 minutes in the Thunder net to post the shutout. Carthage netminder Andy Connor made 12 saves in posting the shutout.
As the shootout began Connor remained in goal for the Red Men, however, senior Joe Selvaggio stepped into the net for the Thunder. Carthage took an early1-0 advantage to open the shootout after the first round of kicks. Each team made their kicks in the second and third rounds, respectively for a 3-2 Carthage edge. On its fourth kick of the shootout Carthage was stymied by a diving Selvaggio deflection and then Wheaton senior Damon Brown followed with a converted kick to tie the shootout at 3-3. On Carthage’s fifth and final scheduled attempt of the shootout Selvaggio made another diving stop to keep things knotted at 3-3. Senior captain Joel DeLass converted on the final attempt of the shootout to give the Thunder the tournament title and send the team to the postseason.
Thunder head coach Dr. Mike Giuliano noted after the match, “We made the decision to switch goalkeepers as we headed into the shootout and it worked to perfection.” Giuliano added, “We had practiced PK’s earlier to determined who would take the kicks and while we were watching, all of our coaches saw the same thing – Joe was special in that role.” He concluded, “Joe did a great job and it’s a memory that neither he nor I will forget.”
Giuliano mentioned, “People are prone to hyperbole in a moment like this, but I think Carthage played the best game I have seen a CCIW team play. We were fortunate to win the shootout tonight.” He added, “I have seen Carthage play four times this year and they have improved every time I have seen them. I hope that they get into the NCAA Tournament because they played great soccer tonight.”
Wheaton is now 15-3-3 on the year, while Carthage is 10-6-5 overall.