With the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament set to begin Thursday, November 20, 19 players with ties to the Chicago Fire’s Player Development system will represent the club in this year’s College Cup.
Notre Dame
Playing for the top ranked team going into the tournament and the alma mater of the Chicago Fire’s very own Harry Shipp, Jeff Farina and Danny Lojek will look to help Notre Dame retain its College Cup Championship title. The Irish begin their quest this Sunday, November 23 at 6:00pm CT against the winner of Akron vs. Ohio State first round matchup (Thursday, Nov. 20 at 4:00pm EST).
Freshman forward Farina has already earned playing time in 19 games, scoring two goals, and a team-high six assists. Just last week, the Fire Academy alum was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team. Junior midfielder Danny Lojek has made seven appearances, including four starts, for the Fighting Irish this year.
Indiana
Ranked fifth overall in the tournament, the Indiana Hoosiers have the second most Fire Academy players of all the College Cup teams. Senior Patrick Doody, Junior Andrew Oliver, and Freshman Grant Lillard will all be representing IU as they take on the winner of the Thursday, Nov. 20 match between Monmouth vs. Xavier at home on Sunday, November 23 at noon CT.
Doody, Oliver, and Lillard have each played in 21 games and scored four goals this season. For his efforts, Lillard was recently named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Northwestern & SIU Edwardsville
There are seven Fire ties in Thursday's matchup between Northwestern and SIU Edwardsville (4:30pm CT in Evanston).
Northwestern houses six academy players and two PDL players – the most in the NCAA College Cup. All eight of these players are available to help the Wildcats against SIU.
Academy products include junior goalkeeper Zak Allen, senior defender Peter Beasley, junior forward Joey Calistri, senior midfielder Connor Holloway, sophomore midfielder Brandon Medina, and freshman forward John Moderwell.
Calistri was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team, his third All-Big Ten recognition in three seasons and ranked sixth in scoring in the Big Ten and first for the Wildcats with six goals in the regular season.
Team captain Connor Holloway was selected as Northwestern’s Sportsmanship Award honoree, one of nine Big Ten student-athletes chosen.
PDL players Tyler Miller and Nati Schnitman are also available to represent the Wildcats in Sunday’s game.
Miller was unanimously named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year and to the All-Big Ten First Team.
On the other side of the coin, Fire Academy product Kyle Dal Santo, a redshirt freshman goalkeeper for SIU-Edwardsville will be supporting the Cougars against Northwestern Thursday.
North Carolina
With the help of senior forward Tyler Engel, the Tar Heels will visit James Madison Thursday, November 20 at 6:00pm CT.
Engel started 16 of his 18 appearances for North Carolina this season and finished the regular season with five goals and five assists. He holds second place in both categories for the team in 2014.
Louisville
Thirteenth seeded Louisville has two Fire PDL players in Daniel Keller and Will Vitalis, a senior defender and a senior forward, respectively. On Sunday, November 23 at 5:00pm CT, the pair will help the Cardinals take on the winner of Thursday’s’s Tulsa vs. St. Louis game at home.
Keller has appeared in 20 games this season for the Cardinals, with one goal and two assists from the defender. Vitalis has started 13 out of his 20 appearances this season, ending the regular season with two goals and four assists.
Michigan State
Forward for number 3 ranked Michigan State, Senior and Fire PDL player Adam Montague will play for the Spartans at home on Sunday, November 23 at 6:00pm CT as they take on the winner of the Oakland vs. Kentucky first round match (Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7:00pm EST).
Named to the All-Big Ten Second Team, Montague has now received four all-conference awards, earning recognition every year since 2011. Starting all 18 games that he has played this season, Montague has recorded four goals and three assists.
Denver
Alex Underwood will represent the University of Denver as the Pioneers take on Oregon State Thursday, Nov. 20 at 8:00pm EST. The freshman midfielder has appeared in 17 games this season and tallied two assists.
