Judson soccer appears strong again

With 15 returning players and a strong recruiting class, the Judson University men's soccer team is expecting another banner season.

The Eagles are coming off an 18-3-1 season that saw them claim the program's sixth National Christian College Athletic Association national championship as well as their fifth regular-season championship in the last six years in the CCAC.

Judson is the winningest men's soccer program in NAIA history with 585 all-time victories. Eagles coach Steve Burke, entering his 27th season, is also the all-time winningest coach in NAIA men's soccer history with 465. Burke has coached Judson to 20 conference championships in n his tenure.

Leading the way for Judson this season will be senior goaltender Alex Tyton, a Larkin graduate who was selected as an NCCAA All-American last season after posting 9 shutouts and registering a 0.89 GAA with 98 saves.

Also returning for the Eagles is senior midfielder Sven Moeller of Germany, who had 11 goals and 10 assists last season, and junior midfielder Rafa Heck, who had 9 goals and 6 assists.

This Judson team features 17 players from Illinois, including seven from Elgin: Tyton, Martin Khoshaba (Elgin), Matt Gloss (Larkin), Fernando Alvarez (Larkin), Eddie Philpot (Larkin), Danny Hinterlong (Larkin) and Ryan Reopelle (Burlington Central).

Four Eagles hail from McHenry County: Jeff Lee (Johnsburg), Mike Toble (Grayslake), Andy Roberts (Cary) and Carey Bienert (Crystal Lake).

The Eagles have started this season 2-0, winning their own invitational on Saturday by beating 21st-ranked McKendree University 2-1 in overtime.