Wheaton, Ill. -- After the opening weekend of the 2025 season, the CCIW announced its weekly honorees in the sport of men's soccer this afternoon. Wheaton junior Luke Vander Kolk picked up the Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week recognition following his starring role in the Thunder's first two matches on Friday and Saturday. The Connecticut native is the first men's soccer player to earn the accolade this season, and today's announcement marks his first career conference award.

Vander Kolk stole the headlines in Wheaton's season-opening win over Chapman University last Friday, as the forward/midfielder began his second campaign with the program by firing off two goals and two assists to lead the Thunder to a 4-2 win. His total of six points in that match paired nicely with fellow attacker Kyle Johnson's two goals and one assist, and Vander Kolk also led all players with four shots on target despite only playing for two-thirds of the contest.

On the very next night, Vander Kolk again put a team-high two shots on goal and led from the front with his passing and hold-up play as the Thunder earned a 2-2 draw against 20th-ranked Colorado College.

The junior attacker and his teammates are back on the field on Friday and Saturday of this week, as Wheaton travels to Washington state for a pair of matches against Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound.