Midwest Roundup - Week 10

By Jordan Vejar

Week ten was filled with several pivotal results that ended many team’s seasons, but also propelled teams into their conference tournaments while some advanced on. Programs across the region moved one step closer to obtaining that allusive automatic ticket to the NCAA DIII National Tournament.

ILLINOIS

Knox (14-3-1 / 8-1-0) extended their winning streak to eight games last week while also capturing the Midwest Conference Regular Season Championship. The Prairie Fire took down Elmhurst 2-1, and then defeated Cornell, also 2-1, in their final MWC matchup, which secured them the conference crown. Coach O’Connor and his side will be the host for the conference tournament that begins this Friday. Knox will be the top seed with home field advantage.

OHIO

Kenyon (15-1-2 / 7-0-2) took down Oberlin midweek and then capped off senior day with a 4-0 blanking of DePauw that secured Kenyon the NCAC Regular Season Title. The Lords are carrying a 16-game unbeaten streak into the postseason while outscoring their opponents 42-10 during the streak. Coach Brown and his team will face Oberlin midweek in the NCAC semifinals.

KENTUCKY

Spalding (12-4-3 / 6-2-1) completed their SLIAC season with two convincing wins over Eureka 5-1 and Blackburn 4-1 on the road last week. The two wins secured the Golden Eagles a spot in the conference tournament for the second consecutive year. It is the first time in program history that Spalding has made two back to back conference tournament appearances. Coach Boyer and his team will host Greenville on Wednesday evening with the entire season on the line.

INDIANA

Hanover (11-5-1 / 8-1-0) is riding an eight-game winning streak into the postseason after knocking off Mt. St. Joseph and Defiance last week by matching 2-0 scores. The two wins gave the Panthers the HCAC Regular Season Crown and capped off a great senior day. Coach Wilkerson and his side will host Manchester midweek in the HCAC semifinals, which will be an interesting matchup being that Manchester is Hanover’s only conference loss this season.

IOWA

Central (16-3-2 / 5-2-1) concluded their regular season conference schedule with a convincing 3-0 win over Nebraska Wesleyan last week. Over the weekend, the Storm took down Wartburg in the A-R-C Tournament first round in a tough 1-0 battle that sends them to the semifinals. Coach Isaacson and his team will face Loras in the semifinals this Wednesday to decide if their season will continue.

MICHIGAN

Calvin (18-1-0 / 7-0-1) extended its impressive winning streak to 17 matches last week and captured the outright MIAA Regular Season Championship with a 1-0 victory over Albion midweek. The Knight’s offense has been lethal all season long posting 64 goals in 19 matches thus far. Coach Souders and his side will take on Albion again this Wednesday in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals and will aim to continue their strong form.

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