The NCAA News - News and Features

December 8, 1997

Wheaton (Illinois) goes unbeaten in III men's soccer

Wheaton (Illinois) more than made amends for its elimination in the first round in 1996 by going the distance in this year's Division III Men's Soccer Championship.

The Crusaders completed a 24-0-1 season by blanking defending champion College of New Jersey, 3-0, in the title game November 29 at Mary Washington.

Three goals by Eric Brown sealed the victory and preserved the Crusaders' 45-game unbeaten streak.

Brown's first tally came midway through the first half when his shot from the right corner of the penalty area eluded a diving Christian Groenveld. Brown connected on a header five minutes later to give the Crusaders a 2-0 lead at the break.

"We forced (College of New Jersey) to mark our people up front, and I think they had a hard time doing that," said Wheaton coach Joe Bean, who posted his second title in 29 years at the Crusaders' helm. "If there was an MVP for the tournament, I'd have to split it between Eric Brown and Steve Morad."

Brown is one of three forwards in a Crusaders' offense that has dominated opponents all season.

Morad was stellar in the Crusaders' goal, stopping six shots. He also made four saves in a 2-1 semifinal win over host Mary Washington (21-3-1). In that game, the Crusaders converted goals by Nate Bowman and Rob Mouw for a 2-0 lead that was not threatened until Mary Washington's Dan Guarriello beat Morad with just over three minutes to play.

College of New Jersey (17-6) won its semifinal game, 2-1, over Amherst with two goals in a 1:08 span late in the second half. Jack San Fillippo scored off a deflection in the 84th minute, then Jason Cairns netted the game-winner just over a minute later to end Amherst's season at 13-5-1.

SEMIFINALS

Amherst -- 1 -- 0 -- 1

Col. of New Jersey -- 0 -- 2 -- 2

First half: A -- Andy Kay (Matt Diggs), 44:20.

Second half: NJ -- Jack San Fillippo (unassisted), 83:06; NJ -- Jason Cairns (Albie Lobbato), 84:14.

Shots: Amherst 3, Col. of New Jersey 13. Goalkeeper saves: Amherst (Kevin Larner) 9; Col. of New Jersey (Christian Groenveld) 0. Corner kicks: Amherst 1, Col. of New Jersey 14. Fouls: Amherst 26, Col. of New Jersey 15. Attendance: 1,123.

Wheaton (Ill.) -- 2 -- 0 -- 2

Mary Washington -- 0 -- 1 -- 1

First half: W -- Nate Bowman (Rob Mouw), 17:58; W -- Mouw (Scott Brown), 43:36.

Second half: MW -- Dan Guarriello (unassisted), 86:59.

Shots: Wheaton (Ill.) 13, Mary Washington 9. Goalkeeper saves: Wheaton (Ill.) (Steve Morad) 4; Mary Washington (J. T. Nino) 7. Corner kicks: Wheaton (Ill.) 3, Mary Washington 3. Fouls: Wheaton (Ill.) 32, Mary Washington 14. Attendance: 1,123.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Col. of New Jersey -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

Wheaton (Ill.) -- 2 -- 1 -- 3

First half: W -- Eric Brown (unassisted), 25:20; W -- Brown (Tim Ryan), 30:24.

Second half: W -- Brown (Nate Bowman), 83:53.

Shots: Col. of New Jersey 13, Wheaton (Ill.) 14. Goalkeeper saves: Col. of New Jersey (Christian Groenveld) 6; Wheaton (Ill.) (Steve Morad) 6. Corner kicks: Col. of New Jersey 5, Wheaton (Ill.) 0. Fouls: Col. of New Jersey 8, Wheaton (Ill.) 16. Attendance: 540.