Dec. 12, 2005

EVANSTON, Ill. -- After orchestrating one of the greatest turnarounds in collegiate soccer history, 10 seniors leave Northwestern's men's soccer team knowing they have put Northwestern men's soccer on the map. The 2005 season was a culmination of the dedication, commitment and loyalty to a program that has been rejuvenated thanks to their time at Northwestern.

Northwestern started the season off on the right note, winning four of its first six matches.

The Wildcats began regular-season play by hosting the 2005 Lakeside Classic. The 'Cats drew Western Kentucky in their first match, and Adam Sirois (Dover, N.H./Berwick Academy) netted the Wildcats' first score of the season early in the second half. After the Hilltoppers tied the match at 76:54, NU's single-season assists record holder David Roth (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade College Prep) weaved through the defense and found junior forward Brad North (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) at the back post. North pulled down the high pass with his left foot and sent home an acrobatic game winner for the Wildcats.

Northwestern faced St. Francis (Pa.) in its second match of the tournament. Northwestern's offense dominated in the match, as the Wildcats put up 20 shots to St. Francis' four, while enjoying a 12-3 corner kick advantage. Still, the Red Flash defense forced the match into double-overtime. In the second overtime, Roth was again the offensive catalyst for the 'Cats. This time Roth sent a cross to senior Kevin Earnest (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) who blasted to the right of the Red Flash keeper, giving Northwestern its second Lakeside Classic title in as many years.

For their efforts during the tournament, Roth, Earnest and North were named to the all-tournament team, while senior co-captain Brad Napper (Dallas, Texas/Jesuit College Prep) was named tournament MVP. Sirois also was named Big Ten Defender of the Week by College Soccer News following the tournament.

After dropping its next two games at the UNLV/Fila Invitational, Northwestern returned to Illinois for the NIU/Baymont Inn Invitational.

In the first match of the tournament, the 'Cats delivered host Northern Illinois its first loss of the season. In the 61st minute, Roth found North for the duo's second game winning combination of the season, lifting Northwestern to the 1-0 victory.

In the back half of the tournament, the Wildcats faced IUPUI The 'Cats went up by one early in the second stanza after North knocked home a pass from Eric Brin (Westlake, Calif./Westlake).

While I.U.P.U.I. tied the match at 86:19, Napper took a corner kick from Roth just 26 second later and sent it to the net for the winner.

Following the tournament, Roth, Sirois and Jaro Pylypczak (Lombard, Ill./Benet Academy) were named to the all-tournament team.

With Northwestern holding a 4-2 record, the 'Cats traveled to Ann Arbor to begin conference play against Michigan.

While the two teams posted nearly identical statistics at the end of play, the Wolverines netted the lone goal with 1:53 remaining to slip by the Wildcats.

Northwestern returned home and promptly recorded convincing wins in its next two matches.

The Wildcats first notched a victory over area-foe Illinois-Chicago. Northwestern's defensive was dominating, allowing the Flames only two shots-on-goal. Junior John Carlstedt (Indianapolis, Ind./Brebeuf Jesuit) and North each recorded goals in the match, while goalkeeper Will Briley (Longview, Texas/Longview) posted the first of three shutouts on the season.

Five days later, the Wildcats resumed conference play as they hosted the Michigan State Spartans. The 'Cats had a bone to pick with Michigan State, as the Spartans topped the Wildcats twice during Northwestern's historic 2004 campaign.

The Wildcats made sure that would not happen again. Less than four minutes into the match, Carlstedt netted his second score of the year when he sent a shot past the Spartan goalkeeper from 30 yards out, giving Northwestern a 1-0 lead.

After halftime--and an hour delay due to inclement weather--junior Daniel Chille (Lake Zurich, Ill./Stevenson) scored in the 72nd minute, securing the win for Northwestern. Briley, who recorded his second-career shutout in the win, came up big when the Wildcats needed him most. With less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Michigan State's All-Big Ten forward Ryan McMahen was awarded a penalty kick. Briley saved McMahen's shot, then got back on his feet to save the rebound try, keeping the shutout intact.

After a loss at Penn State, the Wildcats returned home to play Loyola (Ill.). Napper, North, Pylyczak and junior Gerardo Alvarez (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) each scored in what was arguably Northwestern's most explosive offensive output of the season.

Still riding high after the win against Loyola, Northwestern prepared to host the two-time defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers. In 2004, Northwestern became the first conference team in nine years--a span of 50 matches--to beat Indiana during the regular season.

In 2005, the 'Cats again were up for the challenge. Just 12 minutes into the match, North rocketed a shot at Hoosier goalkeeper Chris Munroe. Munroe saved the shot, but couldn't hang onto it. Chille was there to control the rebound and sent it to the net, giving the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead.

Big Ten Player of the Year Brian Plotkin scored in the 29th minute, however, and the two teams went into the half tied at 1-1. Both teams had plenty of scoring opportunities throughout the second half and subsequent overtimes, but defense and close calls were the story, as the teams went on to a 1-1 tie.

Following the Indiana match, the Wildcats packed their bags and headed to the west coast to play 2004 NCAA qualifier Loyola Marymount. North netted the match's first goal just 18 minutes in, while Earnest recorded a goal in the 53rd minute to lead the Wildcats to the 2-0 win. Freshman goalkeeper Misha Rosenthal (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) notched his third-career shutout in the win.

Just two days later, the 'Cats were on the opposite coast to play Princeton in a match that was originally postponed due to inclement weather. Alvarez scored from the top of the box in the 76th minute, as the Wildcats played to a 1-1 tie with the Tigers.

Riding a four-match unbeaten streak, the Wildcats headed to Columbus looking to keep their streak alive and make a late-season move up the Big Ten standings. After a scoreless first half, the Buckeyes scored in the 58th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Twelve minutes later Carlstedt controlled a rebound from Alvarez and sent it home to tie the match at 1-1. Just two minutes later, however, Ohio State scored following a free kick, and went on to a 2-1 win.

After a 2-1 win against Butler, Northwestern returned home for its regular-season finale against Wisconsin. Sirois scored on a rebound to give Northwestern a 1-0 lead just before halftime. The Badgers scored in the 43rd minute to tie the match, and the remainder of the match was an offensive scramble for the Wildcats. With less than a minute remaining, however, the Badgers got behind the defense and scored the game winner.

After playing to a 9-6-1 regular-season record, the time finally had come for the Wildcats to compete for a Big Ten Championship crown on their own field.

With the championship's seventh seed, Northwestern drew Ohio State in the first round of action.

Ohio State got on the board first in the 31st minute when Kevin Nugent redirected a shot at the last moment to slip it past Briley, giving the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead. While Northwestern enjoyed the advantage over Ohio State in almost every major statistical category, the Buckeyes edged Northwestern for a 1-0 win.

For his performance in the match, senior Dave Vargas (North Olmstead, Ohio/St. Ignatius) was named to the all-championship team.

Throughout the season, Northwestern had a plethora of players come through when the Wildcats needed them. At the end of the season, those players were honored by the Big Ten. Napper and North were named first-team All-Big Ten, while Roth was named to the second team. Briley, who split time with Rosenthal filling in for injured starting goalkeeper Justin Pines (Media, Pa./Strath Haven), garnered All-Freshman team honors. Pylypczak was chosen as Northwestern's Sportsmanship Award honoree.

While Northwestern's season did not end the way the Wildcats hoped, the class of 2005 can be proud of the season they had and the legacy they have created at Northwestern. Because of their work, Northwestern men's soccer is on the map. Because of their leadership, they have laid the foundation for it to stay that way for years to come.