Contact: Sam Fretto, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant, sjfretto@noctrl.edu

CCIW Press Release

(Sept. 15, 2025)- The North Central College men's soccer team has earned its first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Student Athlete of the Week award of the season as Griffin French was named Co-Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week alongside Wheaton College's Andrew Heeringa, the CCIW announced Tuesday. 

French, a freshman, accounted for both goals scored in the 2-0 shutout victory over the No. 23-ranked Illinois Institute of Technology on Sunday. French's first goal came in the 31st minute as he received a pass from a free kick to head the ball in. His second score came moments later in the 36th minute after collecting a pass, turning the defender, and shooting with his right foot for the brace. 

The Cardinals return to action Friday, Sept. 19, as they travel to Waverly, Iowa, for a non-conference match against the Wartburg College Knights. Kickoff from Salzwedel Field is set for 7:30 p.m.