Wheaton College Athletics

The 1984 Men’s Soccer team, Wheaton’s 50th season of soccer competition, was a record-breaking year. Wheaton recorded a then school-record 21 wins with just one loss and two ties, and was unbeaten after a season-opening loss to Northern Illinois in a Midwest Metropolitan Soccer Conference game, its only MMSC loss in four seasons. The MMSC title was the only title to escape Wheaton, and it was the first time Wheaton had not won the MMSC. The Crusaders saved the best for last by winning the NCAA Division III National Championship.

Wheaton, directed by coaching legend, Joe Bean, were led by tri-captains David Kouwe, Andrew Taylor and Tim Daniels and featured All-Americans Kouwe, Taylor, and Dave Wolf along with record setting goal-keeper Chris Hageman. Taylor led the Crusaders with 16 goals and nine assists and was named Most Valuable Player and Best Offensive Player. Kouwe was named the team’s Best Defensive Player, scored six goals and four assists and paced the solid defensive effort which allowed 0.54 goals per game.

To reach the NCAA finals, Wheaton defeated Rockford College 1-0 in overtime, and then won the regional final 3-1 over Washington University. Wheaton scored all three of its goals in a 10-minute span in the second half to defeat Kean College 3-0 and advanced to the NCAA Championship game. In the championship contest, Wheaton defeated Brandeis University 2-1 in three overtimes in front of more than 2,500 fans at East McCully Field. Kouwe scored the game winner on a penalty kick in the third overtime period, 115 minutes and 30 seconds into the match.