NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- North Park Men's Soccer saw six players earn College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) honors on Friday afternoon - three on the first team and three on the second. Bastian Eikeland, Teo Helm, and Hugo Neborg were first teamers while Ludvig Almborg, Jostein Blindheim, and Eduardo Cirilo secured second team recognition. Eikeland was also named the league's Newcomer of the Year.
Eikeland, a freshman midfielder from Stavanger, Norway, tied for the lead in CCIW action with four assists alongside Carthage's Mickey Reilly. Three of those four assists were against Augustana in a 3-0 win. He also managed five shots on goal against CCIW opponents.
Helm, a junior defender from Hässleholm, Sweden, played a significant role in the Vikings' five CCIW shutouts this season. He was on the field for 90 minutes in all but three matches this regular season. He added both a goal and assist in a 2-0 win over Carroll and put four shots on frame.
Neborg, another junior defender from Halmstad, Sweden, anchored the back line with Helm. He was on the field for 90 minutes in six different CCIW games and has not exited the field in his past seven games played. He scored against Augustana and added an assist against three different CCIW teams.
Almborg, a freshman goalkeeper from Anderstorp, Sweden, tended goal for five shutouts in CCIW action. He totaled 17 saves and led the CCIW with a 0.39 goals against average, allowing only three goals against CCIW opposition.
Blindheim, a fifth-year midfielder from Molde, Norway, had a pair of goals in CCIW action and put nine shots on target. He scored against both Illinois Wesleyan and Carroll to secure a pair of wins for the Vikings.
Cirilo, a sophomore midfielder from Island Lake, Illinois, put constant pressure on CCIW forwards, forcing turnovers and poking the ball out whenever the opposition attempted to set anything up. He has been on the field all 90 minutes in the past six matches, including five within league action.
Additionally, sophomore midfielder Vidar Rydell was North Park's representative for the CCIW's RESPECT Award.
Wheaton's Pryse Anderson and Millikin's Nacho Diaz were the respective Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year while Wheaton's Mason Escalante and Coach Steve McCrath earned respective Goalkeeper and Coach of the Year accolades.
To view the complete 2024 Men's Soccer All-CCIW team, please click here.
About the RESPECT Award
At the conclusion of every sports season, each varsity program will recognize one student-athlete as their RESPECT Award honoree. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.
