Soccer News

Finlandia University Men’s Soccer Team Adds Player - July 1, 2008

HANCOCK – The Finlandia University men’s soccer team has received a commitment from Timothy Carron of Saint Clair Shores, Mich., to attend and play for the Lions starting this fall semester, Head Soccer Coach Matt Griffith announced today.

Carron, 5'6", graduated from Saint Clair Shores Lakeview High School in 2008 where he was a defenseman and mid-fielder for the soccer team. Carron was named to the All-Academic Team all four seasons of his high school soccer career. During his junior and senior years, he was an All-State Honorable Mention, a member of the All-Regional Team, and a member of the All-County (Macomb County) Team. In his sophomore and senior seasons, Carron was named to the All-District Team and the All-Conference (Macomb Area Conference) Team.

“Tim will be a great addition to the men’s soccer program at Finlandia,” said Coach Griffith. “His resilience, dedication, and understanding of the game will help him lead the way for incoming freshman in 2008. He has an innate ability to read the field, and has the ball control to advance in one-on-one situations. I look for Tim to make an immediate impact on the soccer program here at Finlandia.”

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.”

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.