2008-09 Athletics Men's Soccer Media Guide (PDF)

Soccer News

Soccer Clinic Saturday, February 28 - February 10, 2009

HANCOCK, MI – Youth ages eight to 18 are invited to take part in a soccer clinic Saturday, February 28, 2009, at the Finlandia University Paavo Nurmi Athletic Center.

Ages 8 to 11 will meet from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.; ages 12 to 18 will meet from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m.

The clinic is designed to teach the basics of the game, including footwork, ball control, and shooting fundamentals. Advanced players will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with the coaches.

The clinic will be instructed by Matt Griffith, Finlandia’s head men’s and women’s soccer coach, and Finlandia student-athletes and coaches.

Clinic participants should bring indoor soccer shoes or gym shoes, and a water bottle. Size 5 soccer balls will be provided.

The cost for the clinic is $20.00 for youth ages eight to 11, and $25.00 for ages 12 to 18.

Registration Form

FU's Carron Earns D3 Independents Honors - December 15, 2008

HANCOCK – Finlandia University freshman mid-fielder Tim Carron ( Saint Clair Shores , Mich. ) has been selected by the Association of Division III Independents (NCAA D3I) to the first line of the second team of the All-Independents Men's Soccer Team.

Carron was awarded the second team honor by a vote from all the coaches within the NCAA D3I. He is one of only two freshmen within the NCAA D3I to receive this prestigious recognition.

During the 2008 season, Carron posted six goals and two assists totaling 14 points.

“This marks the first time in Finlandia soccer history for a player to earn second team honors,” said fifth-year head men's and women's soccer coach Matt Griffith. “Tim was a solid leader on the field as a captain during the year. This is a great honor, not only for Tim, but for Finlandia University as a whole.”

“Tim is an extremely skilled soccer player, and well-deserving of this award,” Griffith added. “All of the DIII Independents coaches that voted clearly recognized Tim's talents.”

Finlandia Men's Soccer Joins WIAC - December 15, 2008

HANCOCK – Finlandia University Athletics is pleased to announce that the university will join the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) as an affiliate member in the sport of men's soccer effective in the 2009-10 academic year.

“On behalf of Finlandia University and our men's soccer program, we are positively ecstatic about our affiliate membership within the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference,” said Chris Salani, athletics director at Finlandia.

“Our association within one of the strongest DIII athletics conferences in the country will provide unprecedented opportunities for further development of our men's soccer program. This affiliation provides our student-athletes a level of distinction and opportunity to be very proud of.”

“We are extremely pleased and fortunate to have an institution such as Finlandia University join our conference,” commented WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner. “The addition of Finlandia elevates the sport of men's soccer to championship status within the WIAC, thereby providing our men's soccer teams the opportunity to compete for a conference championship and for our student-athletes to vie for all-conference recognition and other individual honors.”

With the addition of Finlandia University , five institutions will be fielding men's soccer teams in the WIAC. Current conference members include UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, UW-Superior and UW-Whitewater.

The Lions are the fifth institution to gain admission into the WIAC as an affiliate member, joining Lawrence University for wrestling; and Gustavus Adolphus College ( Minn. ), Hamline University ( Minn. ), and Winona State University ( Minn. ) for women's gymnastics.

Soccer Clinic A Success - September 10, 2008

HANCOCK, MI – Tuesday evening at the Hurontown soccer field, Finlandia University and the Copper Country Soccer Association cosponsored a free soccer clinic to area youth. The clinic was instructed by Matt Griffith, the head men’s and women’s soccer coach for Finlandia University and assisted by Finlandia’s soccer players.

As the local soccer athletes began to fill the fields it turned out to be a huge success. Over 100 local youth attended the free clinic designed to teach the fundamentals of the game.

“This is a great way for my soccer teams to give back to the community. We always have great community support for the Finlandia soccer programs, and this was our way to say ‘Thanks!’,” stated 5th year Finlandia soccer coach Matt Griffith. “We were able to team up with the Copper Country Soccer Association to really make the clinic a success.”

Finlandia Soccer Team members instruct local youth on the agility course.

Finlandia Soccer Captain Jessica Jones hi-fives local athletes for a job well done.

FREE Soccer Clinic! - August 11, 2008

HANCOCK, MI – Finlandia soccer along with the Copper Country Soccer Association will be hosting a free soccer clinic on September 9, 2008 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for players ages 8 to 16. The clinic will be run on multiple soccer fields, please contact the CCSA for directions and registration information at mshyslop@charter.net.

The clinic will be run and instructed by Matt Griffith, the head men’s and women’s soccer coach for Finlandia University. Coach Griffith will be assisted by his coaching staff as well as the Finlandia men’s and women’s soccer players.

This clinic is designed to teach the basics of the game including footwork, ball control, and shooting fundamentals. The players will be asked to bring soccer cleats or indoor shoes and a water bottle for water, balls will be provided.

“This is a great opportunity for Finlandia University and the CCSA to work together and help out local community athletes,” said Coach Griffith. “My players and I look forward to helping the community youth become better players.”

Finlandia Men’s Soccer Adds a Goaltender - August 6, 2008

HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University men’s soccer team has received a commitment from Eric Johnson of Meade County, Kentucky, to attend and play for the Lions starting this fall, Head Men’s Soccer Coach Matt Griffith announced today.

Johnson, 6'2", graduated from Meade County High School in 2008 where for four years he was a goaltender for the soccer team. Johnson was named All-County Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008, and All-County Goalkeeper of the Year in 2008.

“Eric will be a great addition to Finlandia’s soccer program,” said Coach Griffith. “He’s a solid keeper with a knack for charging out of the net to deal with one-on-one situations. I expect Eric to make an immediate impact.”

Men’s Soccer 2012 Recruiting Class - July 29, 2008

HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University men’s soccer program will welcome eight freshmen to next year’s team.

The new players who have committed to play for the Lions in the 2008-09 academic year are Timothy Carron (Saint Clair Shores, Mich.), Steven Hicks (Romulus, Mich.), Aaron Roberts (Watton, Mich.), Matt Erickson (Kingsford, Mich.), Gage McHoul (Dorchester, Mass.), Edward Smith (Kalkaska, Mich.), Carl Rosco (Romulus, Mich.), and Eli Ellison (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.).

Timothy Carron, a 2008 graduate of Saint Clair Shores Lakeview High School, is a 5'6" midfielder/defenseman. Carron was named to the All-Academic Team all four seasons of his high school soccer career. During his junior and senior years, he was an All-State Honorable Mention, a member of the All-Regional Team, and a member of the All-County (Macomb County) Team. In his sophomore and senior seasons, Carron was named to the All-District Team and the All-Conference (Macomb Area Conference) Team.

“Tim’s resilience, dedication, and understanding of the game will help him lead the way for incoming freshman in 2008,” said head men’s soccer coach Matt Griffith. “He has an innate ability to read the field, and has the ball control to advance in one-on-one situations.”

Steven Hicks, a 2008 graduate of Romulus High School, is a 6'1" forward who will major in criminal justice. In his senior season, Hicks was named MVP of his team and was a member of the All-Conference Team.

“Steven has a solid soccer background and led his team as captain his junior and senior years,” Coach Griffith said. “He knows how to lead on the field and knows the game well enough to play any position effectively.”

Aaron Roberts, a 5'11" midfielder, played with the Copper Country Christian soccer team last season. Coach Griffith had this to say about Roberts, “Aaron is a very fast athlete who has played locally for many years. He has a desire to win and a great team attitude. Aaron will be a great addition to the program, and is already used to playing in the mud and snow!”

Matt Erickson, a 2008 graduate of Kingsford High School, is a 5'11" goalkeeper who will major in sports management. Erickson comes to Finlandia with playing experience at both the club and high school levels.

“Matt is a solid keeper with the desire to be the best,” Griffith said. “His work ethic is second to none. He has been playing on the varsity team at Kingsford, and in the summer on club teams against college athletes. Matt has an uncanny ability to read where a player is going to shoot the ball in order to make the save.”

Gage McHoul, a 2008 graduate of Blue Hills Regional Tech School (Canton, Mass.), is a 5'9" midfielder. McHoul was captain of his varsity soccer team and the MVP his senior year.

“Gage is a hard working soccer player,” Coach Griffith noted. “He is not afraid to go one-on-one with other players and has the strength and ability to hold his own against the tougher players in the D-III ranks. I believe Gage will make an immediate impact on the soccer to major in criminal justice at Finlandia."

Edward Smith, a 2008 graduate of Kalkaska High School, will major in criminal justice at Finlandia. A 6'0" midfielder, Smith earned honorable mention on the All-Region Team his sophomore season, and was named to the 1st Team All-Conference (Lake Michigan Conference) his junior and senior seasons.

“Ed is a formidable player from northern lower Michigan,” Griffith said. “As a utility player he can play all positions. I am excited to see how he transitions from high school soccer to NCAA D-III soccer.”

Carl Rosco is a 2008 graduate of Romulus (Michigan) High School who will also be a utility player for the Lions. “Carl is a determined player that will bring a defensive presence to the program” Coach Griffith noted. “He can read a forward well, which will allow him to attack well defensively.”

Eli Ellison comes to Finlandia from Fort Walton Beach (Florida) High School. He’ll be a utility player for the Lions. “Eli is used to the heat of Florida soccer,” said Coach Griffith. “He can play well against players that are much bigger, and with his speed he dominates play on the field.”

Finlandia University Men’s Soccer Team Adds Player - July 1, 2008

HANCOCK – The Finlandia University men’s soccer team has received a commitment from Timothy Carron of Saint Clair Shores, Mich., to attend and play for the Lions starting this fall semester, Head Soccer Coach Matt Griffith announced today.

Carron, 5'6", graduated from Saint Clair Shores Lakeview High School in 2008 where he was a defenseman and mid-fielder for the soccer team. Carron was named to the All-Academic Team all four seasons of his high school soccer career. During his junior and senior years, he was an All-State Honorable Mention, a member of the All-Regional Team, and a member of the All-County (Macomb County) Team. In his sophomore and senior seasons, Carron was named to the All-District Team and the All-Conference (Macomb Area Conference) Team.

“Tim will be a great addition to the men’s soccer program at Finlandia,” said Coach Griffith. “His resilience, dedication, and understanding of the game will help him lead the way for incoming freshman in 2008. He has an innate ability to read the field, and has the ball control to advance in one-on-one situations. I look for Tim to make an immediate impact on the soccer program here at Finlandia.”

Kudos for Finlandia Soccer Players - April 14, 2008

HANCOCK – Matt Griffith, Finlandia University fourth-year head soccer coach, is pleased to announce spring university athletic awards for the men’s and women’s teams. For their hard work and dedication, the student-athletes received awards for Most Valuable Player, Lion Award, Most Improved Player, and Academic Award.

The women’s soccer team MVP award went to Jessica Jones, a sophomore from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Lion Award, granted to a student-athlete who “gave their all” this season, was earned by sophomore Molly Raab from Antigo, Wisc. The Most Improved Player award is shared by Ashley Leitch, a senior from Garden City, Mich., and sophomore Salome Mnzava from Tanzania. The Academic Award winner is sophomore Robin Murphy of Howell, Mich., with a GPA of 3.69.

“We had a great year and all of the women worked hard throughout the season,” Griffith said. “This is a talented group of women that never stop to surprise me.”

The Finlandia men’s soccer team MVP award was earned by sophomore Markus Halme from Finland. The Lion Award is shared by Shawn Wickersheim, a senior from White Lake, Wisc., and junior Andrew Kirt of Gaylord, Mich. The Most Improved Award was earned by freshman Andrew Blake of Chassell, Mich. And, winning his second Academic Award this year was Andrew Kirt of Gaylord, Mich., with a GPA of 3.96.

“Each and every one of the athletes gave everything they had out on the field this year,” Griffith said. “The men had their best season in Finlandia history to date. I am proud of every single one of them.”

Lions Fight Hard in OT Loss - October 9, 2007

The Finlandia men’s soccer team lost a hard fought match in overtime on Monday in Mankato Minnesota against Bethany Lutheran College. Finlandia struck first on a header that found the back of the net by Toshiyuki Mita, which was assisted by Nic Polzin. Bethany then scored two goals to take the lead with 2 minutes left in the half. Lion’s Freshman Daniel Rodriguez scored with 30 seconds left in the half from a well placed shot from 43 yards out which tied the game going into the second half. Entering the second half Finlandia scored early on a penalty kick from Marcus Halme. The lions fought hard throughout the rest of the second half and Bethany scored with 5 minutes remaining to take it into overtime. With 1 minute left in overtime Bethany scored to win the game. “My men fought hard today and I was impressed by their poise. It is due to the hard work and dedication that we are competitive this year. These are a great bunch of men and are great representatives of Finlandia athletics,” states Griffith.

Lions Battle into OT - September 22, 2007

The Finlandia men’s soccer team lost a hard fought game in overtime at Condon Field Saturday. In a score of 3 to 2 in overtime the lions lost to a nationally #1 ranked NAIA Robert Morris Lake County. The Lion’s went down early by a goal until Chase Gillespie found the back of the net at the end of the first half. With the score tied going into the second half at 47 minutes Andy Kirt scored assisted by goalkeeper Dane Rasmussen. The lions held the lead until 1 minute left to play in the game when Robert Morris hit the back of the net. The Lions who won last week in overtime fought hard, but gave up the game winning goal 1 minute before the overtime ended. “My men impressed me today. They came out hard against a nationally ranked team and played their hearts out. I have never seen a better game played while coaching here at Finlandia University, and it was a true honor to be the coach of such inspirational men,” said Coach Griffith.

Lions Win in OT - September 15, 2007

The men's Finlandia Lions soccer team roared to victory over Grace Bible College out of Grand Rapids, Mich. in an overtime win on Saturday. Finlandia, now 1 and 4 on the season, needed 103 minutes in order to come out ahead. Grace Bible struck early in the 36th minute of play putting Finlandia down by one goal going into halftime. Finlandia's Daniel Rodriguez from Panama scored to tie the game 20 minutes into the second half on a 35 yard shot. Grace struck back 10 minutes later taking the lead on a questionable call that led to a penalty kick. Lion's midfielder Marcus Halme from Finland scored the tying goal to take it into overtime with 3 minutes left in regulation time.  At 103 minutes into the game Marcus Halme fired a penalty shot into the upper right ninety to seal the win for Finlandia. Senior Tucker Thoreson (Crystal Falls, Mich.) and freshman Andrew Blake (Chassell, Mich.) contributed to outstanding defensive play for Finlandia.  Lion's goaltender Dane Rasmussen stopped 6 of Grace Bible's quality shots on net.  “This win is a true team effort. We had 19 shots from 8 different players, which means that we distributed the ball well today. I am proud of my men, and it is their continuing heart and determination that allows us to win games,” states Coach Griffith.

Lions Run into a Tough Northland Team - September 1, 2007

In the first game of the season, the Finlandia Lions gave a stellar effort in a loss to a well experienced team. The Lion's went down early due to a controversial call leading to a penalty kick. Although first year goaltender Dane Rasmussen (Stevens Point, Wis.) stopped the initial shot, the rebound found the foot of a Northland player which led to the goal. First year player Marcus Helme from Finland answered with the Lion's first goal minutes later. Andy Kirt scored the second goal for the Lion's late in the second half. "For our first game we played well. The men played hard, but couldn't convert on our goal scoring opportunities. We now know what to fix and we will come out hard against Ripon on Sunday," said Coach Griffith.