Matt Griffith Bio

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

Local Finlandia soccer players shine - October 20, 2007

On a mud covered field Saturday in Houghton the Finlandia Lion’s women’s soccer team fought through the tough field conditions to win 11-1 against Mount Mary College. Houghton residents Hayley Laban and Katelyn McLean came up big for the lions burying 3 goals apiece earning their first hat tricks of the season. Freshman Hayley Laban with her 3 goals and 1 assist tallied 7 points in the contest, and Freshman Katelyn McLean with her 3 goals and 2 assists earned 8 points on the day. Also scoring for the lions was Brighton, Michigan native Janna Daavettila scoring 3 goals earning herself the third hat trick of the day. Sophomore defender Molly Raab and Senior defender Brenda Peterson also scored a goal for the lions. “The field conditions were tough today and every player on the field was covered in mud. Our ladies fought through the adverse conditions, worked the ball well, and took advantage of training all week in the rain. Today was a record day for the program and the women worked hard to achieve it. I am continually impressed by the talent and drive of my players,” states fourth year head coach Matt Griffith.

Lions Play Close, Lose to NBBC - September 1, 2007

Sophomoer Ashley Jilek stopped 13 shots for the Finlandia University women's soccer team in a 2-0 loss to Northland at the Michigan Tech University athletic fields on Friday.

Senior midfielder Ashley Wanhala (Chassell) had two shots on goal for the Lions, while forward Jessica Jones also had a shot on goal.

Northland scored in the 33rd minute on a goal from Katie Fromer, and Chrissy Parker added the clincher in the 90th minute.

Northland outshot the Lions 14-6 and had 11 corner

Lions Add Foster to Women’s Soccer - August 14, 2007
Brittany Foster of Cloquet, Minn., has committed to attend Finlandia University and play soccer for the Lions beginning the fall semester of the 2007 season, Head Soccer Coach Matt Griffith announced today.

A 2007 graduate of Cloquet High School, Foster has played club soccer in Minnesota the last nine years. She is both an excellent athlete and an outstanding student. Foster was on her high school honor roll from 2004-2007, and was a member of the National Honor Society from 2005-2007. She graduated from high school with a 3.9 overall GPA.

“Brittany is a well rounded player,” says Coach Griffith. “She has an extensive playing history that will help her here at Finlandia University. I look for Brittany to make an immediate impact for the women’s soccer team.”

Laban to Join Lion’s Soccer Roster – August 8, 2007

The Finlandia University women’s soccer team has received a commitment from Hayley Laban of Houghton, Michigan to attend and play for the Lions in the fall semester of the 2007 season, Head Soccer Coach Matt Griffith announced today.

Laban, 5’7”, a recent graduate from Houghton High School has been a member of the Copper Country Soccer Association. In 2007 Hayley has received the Finlandia President’s Scholarship, Michigan Competitive Scholarship, and the Michigan Promise Scholarship.

Coach Griffith says, “Hayley will be a welcome addition to the women’s soccer program. She is a local player that has worked her way through club ball and then most recently as a member of the CCSA travel team.”

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.

Lions Send the Blue Angels Flying - October 8, 2006

After a full week off with a combination of rest and practice, the women's soccer team was back on the Michigan Technological University soccer fields for a home soccer game versus the Blue Angels of Mount Mary. The break was well worth the wait. The Lions walked away with their second win of the season, 5-1.

Senior Nora Hyrkas ( Calumet , MI ) had four shots and one goal. “She was a key player in the game, drawing Mt. Mary 's defenders with her outstanding speed,” says third-year head coach Matt Griffith .

Freshman Kristi Michael ( Auroa , CO ) scored her first goal of the season by knocking in an 18-yard shot off a Mount Mary goaltender rebound. “Kristi has been playing some of her best soccer of the season as of late and capped it off today with her best game yet,” says Griffith.

Ashley Wanhala ( Chassell , MI ) also contributed one goal of her own by running coast to coast, taking the ball from the defense, through the opposing team, and burying the ball in the back of the net.

Freshman Jenny Kelly ( Brownstown , MI ) found the back of the net twice during the game and earning a game-winning goal stat. One of Kelly's goals was assisted by Alyssa Parker ( Mass City , MI ). “Jenny is able to rally her team and lead them to the win,” states Griffith . “She has become a true leader for the program, and every game she continues to get better. It is rare that I see this type of drive and determination in a freshman, but it sure is great to see.”

“Overall, we played well,” concludes Griffith . “They all played great, and it was a true team effort.” The women will travel to UW – Superior on Tuesday to face the Yellowjackets at 2:30pm.

Women's Soccer Loses to Northland Baptist - September 18, 2006

The Lions’ women’s soccer team traveled to Dunbar, Wisconsin, to face the Northland Baptist Bible College Pioneers on Friday. With many injuries and some tired legs, the Lions could not recover from an 8-0 deficit in the first half. The Lions fell in the end, 9-1.

“We started out flat today,” says third-year head coach Matt Griffith. “We came out strong in the second half versus Northland Baptist’s starters and ended up tying them in the second.”

Elise Jago (Newberry, MI) was credited with goal. She was assisted by Sara Sleik (Iron Mountain, MI) and Nora Hyrkas (Calumet, MI). “We had plenty of opportunities,” states Griffith, “but we just couldn’t convert on many of them. We will come out next game ready and not so flat.”

The women will travel with the men’s team to Illinois next weekend. They will both face Robert Morris College on September 23. The men’s team does have a game in the meantime also. They will face Northland College at 4:00 pm on September 19 in Ashland, Wisconsin.

Northern Defeats Finlandia - September 7, 2006

On Tuesday, the Finlandia women's soccer team faced a much faster and much tougher Northern Michigan University squad. The Wildcats got the shutout, 11-0. "Even though it was a shutout, we worked well together," says third-year head coach Matt Griffith. "It was a good learning experience playing a DII school."

Despite the loss, freshman Jenny Kelly (Brownstown Township, MI) continues to be a work-horse on the field. "She did great at the sweeper position.
She continues to learn and get better," states Griffith.

"Things we have worked on all season worked despite the loss, and we will continue to improve on those things. We also now have a few more things to work on," comments Griffith.

Women’s Soccer Weekend Results - September 5, 2006
The women’s soccer team captured their first win of the season versus Lincoln Christian College (Lincoln, IL) at the Mount Mary College Tournament (Milwaukee, WI) on Friday afternoon.

In the 2-0 victory, Megan Wilson (East Haddam, CT) earned the win by stopping five solid shots on goal. Junior Sara Sleik (Iron Mountain, MI) got the game-winning goal after firing off eight shots. She then assisted Nora Hyrkas (Calumet, MI) on her own goal. Hyrkas was able to place six shots on goal.

Helping in the shutout was freshman Jenny Kelly (Brownstown, MI). “She worked the ball well in the midfield position,” states third-year head coach Matt Griffith. “She opened up the field for a lot of scoring opportunities.” Kelly had five shots on goal.

Sophomore Liz Reno (Cedarville, MI) and junior Ashley Wanahala (Chassell, MI) led the Finlandia defense. “Liz limited the quality shots Lincoln Christian was able to take,” says Griffith. “Ashley stopped six breakaways on her own. She led the great defense.”

“Overall, it was a team effort. It was really great to see them as a whole,” says Griffith. “They were really gelling out there. I am very proud of these ladies.”

Finlandia will play Alverno College in the championship game of the Mount Mary College Tournament on Saturday.

In the championship game of the Mount Mary College Tournament on Saturday, the Finlandia University Lions women’s soccer team took on Alverno College (Milwaukee, WI). The Lions went down early in the first half, after allowing five Alverno goals. The Lions tried to roar back in the second half but came up short, losing 7-4 in the championship.

“We were kind of flat in the beginning,” says third-year head coach Matt Griffith, “but we turned it around in the second half.”

Overall, Nora Hyrkas (Calumet, MI) led the offense with her first career hat trick. She was able to connect on three of her 11 shots on goal. Freshman Jenny Kelly (Brownstown, MI) also played a solid game, tallying two assists. “Jenny was able to spark the team in the second half which helped us to go on a 3-0 spurt. She was also able to stop Alverno’s number one scorer. She has really stepped up to the plate her freshman year.”

Despite, losing the second game of the Mount Mary Tournament, Coach Griffith was positive about the weekend. “We had mental toughness on the field. I am very proud of our defense. We should be able to bounce back for tomorrow’s game versus UW – Superior.”