Photo by mvcyclones.com
By Mohammed Jbara, Freelance Contributor
Despite multiple injuries, the MV Cyclones men’s soccer team has managed to hold steady with a 3-4-1 record.
Two months into the season, the Cyclones hold fourth place in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference. The three wins came from victories against Kankakee Community College, Oakton Community College, and Kishwaukee College. The win against Kishwaukee was the largest win of the season by a score of 7-2.
“Some games just didn’t go our way, but we had issues with injuries,” sophomore defender Nikodem Kurzeja said. “I was still recovering from mine.”
One of the losses includes a defensive masterclass from both sides resulting in a 1-0 loss to rival Morton College.
Niko Kurzeja is ready to fight for his place in the playoffs.
Kurzeja is playing his second season with the Cyclones and hopes to make his last season count: “Four teams from each side of the conference make it [to the postseason]. We’re going to give it our all.”
The Cyclones have the last month of the season to get things right. Fortunately, the team is now healthy.
“We are all back now, and we’re ready to fight,” assured Kurzeja. In October, the Cyclones are set to play five more games against the likes of Bryant & Stratton (Sunday night), McHenry College, South Suburban, Elgin, and Illinois Valley Community College.
Midfielder and number 8 Matthew Skupien also has high hopes and is ready to fight.
“Scoring my first goal was a big achievement for me,” said Skupien, whose goal came in a 3-2 win over Oakton Community College. “I got a lot of confidence after that goal and as the season continues, I am confident more goals and assists will come because I am hungrier for more.”
The team is currently neck-and-neck for that fourth spot with Waubonsee Community College, which holds a tiebreaker against the Cyclones since the Waubonsee Chiefs defeated the Cyclones 2-0.
This playoff race could go down to the last game. The first challenge in the gauntlet of October matches begins with the Cyclones’ first home game since facing Waubonsee, as they welcome Bryant & Stratton College from Wisconsin.
“Now that everyone is back and we’re getting better and better,” Skupien said, “if we keep improving, we will get that playoff spot.”
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