Contact: Sam Fretto, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, sjfretto@noctrl.edu

Press Release

(Oct. 28, 2025)- The North Central College men's soccer team earned a fourth College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Student-Athlete of the Week award of the season for Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week, named to Joris Rijnja following a game-winning goal over North Park on Saturday. The conference announced the winners on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Rijnja anchored the North Central defense with the Cardinals playing for seeding in the CCIW with matches against the Illinois Wesleyan Titans and North Park University Vikings. The two teams scored a combined two goals while having just 10 total shots on goal, with each team getting off five shots on goal. North Central ultimately tied with the Titans, 1-1, and defeated the Vikings, 2-1, thanks to Rijnja's game-winning penalty kick goal coming in the 71st minute. The win for North Central gave them sole possession of second place in the CCIW, with a chance to host a semifinal tournament match. 

North Central wraps up the regular season traveling to Wheaton, Ill., for a Wednesday night clash against Wheaton College as both teams remain unbeaten in conference, with kickoff at Joe Bean Stadium scheduled for 7 p.m.