JU's Burke nets record

Judson University men's soccer coach Steve Burke reached a milestone Saturday.

With the Eagles downing Trinity International University 1-0 in a CCAC game played in Deerfield, Burke became the all-time winningest men's soccer coach in NAIA history with his 438th career victory.

"I am very happy and excited right now," said Burke. "All week I have been receiving phone calls and e-mails about the record and it is now nice to break it. My wife was texting my son's girlfriend at Houghton College to update him and they announced it over their P.A. when we won. I am just happy right now and I am glad the win came against a good team."

Burke's son, Corey, is a freshman at Houghton College in New York and a member of the men's soccer team. Houghton College is where Burke graduated from and played for his father, Doug Burke, who is 10th on the NAIA all-time career wins list with 238 wins.

Burke picked up his milestone win over former Judson men's soccer player Patrick Gilliam (1988-90), who is the head coach at Trinity International University. With the win, Burke surpasses Rockhurst University's Tony Tocco's 437 wins.

Burke is in his 25th season at Judson and now has a 438-133-32 overall record. He has won 14 conference championships, 5 National Christian College championships, and has coached in five NAIA National Tournaments. He has produced 122 all-conference players and 34 NAIA All-Americans in 25 years.

Saturday's win was the fifth match this season that Judson won 1-0 and its sixth shutout overall.

For the second match in a row, senior Petar Bajic netted the game-winning goal as he put Judson (7-3, 2-1) up 1-0 in the 57th minute of the match.

Judson then played stellar defense after that to come away with the win.

Sophomore Alex Tyton recorded his fifth shutout of the year and is now 5-1 as a goalie.

Judson has now shut out six of its last seven opponents and has won five 1-0 matches. The Eagles will travel to St. Francis on Tuesday for another CCAC match.