Soccer News
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.”
Fourth
Annual Soccer Clinic at Finlandia - March 25,
2008
The Fourth Annual Finlandia University
Spring Soccer Clinic will be held on Saturday April 19th at the
Paavo Nurmi Athletic Center. The clinic will focus on fundamental
footwork development. The clinic will be instructed by Finlandia's
head men's and women's soccer coach Matt Griffith, and the Finlandia
Lion soccer teams. The clinic is for ages 8-18. The cost for the
8-11 age group is $15.00 and the cost for the 12-18 age group
is $25.00. For more information contact Matt Griffith at 487-7326,
or email Matt at matt.griffith@finlandia.edu.
Download:
Registration Form
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.
Lions Add to
their Men’s Soccer Roster - August 8, 2007
The Finlandia University men’s soccer team has received
a commitment from Nicholas Polzin of Duluth, Minnesota to attend
and play for the Lions in the fall semester of the 2007 season,
Head Soccer Coach Matt Griffith announced today.
Polzin, 5’11”, graduated from Duluth Denfeld High
School in 2002 and spent the last four years in the military.
A forward for the soccer team, Polzin was a member of the soccer
team for four years. As a junior, he was an All-Conference nominee
on a team that won a State Championship and USA Cup Championship.
During his senior year, Polzin was selected to the Lake Superior
Conference All-Conference Team. He also received an All-State
nomination.
“Nic is a well rounded player with lots of playing experience.
He has Minnesota State Championship experience along with USA
Cup experience, and I look for Nic to start contributing from
day one to the successes of the soccer program,” states
Griffith. “With his military background he has the dedication
and drive that we look for here at Finlandia.”
Finlandia's
Yahn and Sleik Receive Soccer Honors - December 4, 2006
Finlandia
University student-athletes Sean Yahn and Sara Sleik have received
national all-independents soccer team honors from the Association
of Division III Independents.
Sean Yahn
( Oak Creek , Wis. ) was selected for the Honorable Mention All-Independents
Team for his play as a goaltender. Yahn was a large contributor
to the team's first-ever win and his defensive skills were key
to lowering overall opponent scores this season.
“Sean
is a tremendous goalie with great instinct,” says third-year head
coach Matt Griffith. “The first Finlandia win ever was due to
his mental toughness and shot stopping ability.”
Yahn,
a senior, transferred to Finlandia from Northern Michigan University
. He is majoring in sports management. “It is not easy to be selected
for the NCAA Independents Honorable Mention Team,” says Griffith
. “It is a great way to end his collegiate career.” Yahn averaged
15.82 saves per game in his final season, well above other nominees.
For her
play in the midfield position junior Sara Sleik ( Iron Mountain
, Mich. ) also earned a place on the Honorable Mention All-Independent
Team. She tallied four goals and three assists this past season
for 11 points. She led the team with 35 shots.
“Sara
is a great left-footed player,” says Griffith. “If it wasn't for
Sara, we would not have been able to spread out opposing teams
like we did. She took command of the field during every game.”
Sleik
is a business administration major and also a member of Finlandia's
women's ice hockey team.
“This
is a great honor for Sara and Sean and for Finlandia soccer. Both
Sara and Sean have been captains since their freshman years and
an integral part of their teams in every game and at every practice.
I am very pleased to see them recognized by the NCAA Independents,”
concludes Griffith.
The Association
of Division III Independents consists of 25 Division III independent
institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes
at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason
championship competition. The Association recognizes outstanding
athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly
and annual basis.