NATIONAL STAGE
For the second time in school history and the first time since 1996, both UChicago men's and women's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four. Despite fine performances, the Maroon women fell in the title match and the men lost in the semifinals to conclude both teams' 2017 campaigns.
NCAA RUNNERS-UP
After one of the most incredible seasons in UChicago soccer history, the Maroon women's soccer team saw its season come to a close in a tough 1-0 loss to Williams in the 2017 NCAA Division III National Championship game in Greensboro, N.C.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP - WILLIAMS 1, UCHICAGO 0
Maroons senior Madori Spiker battles a Williams defender in the 2017 NCAA Division III Championship game in Greensboro, N.C.
NCAA SEMIFINAL RECAP - UCHICAGO 1, TCNJ 0
AWARDS
Mackenzie Peebles, Jenna McKinney and Mia Calamari were all named United Soccer Coaches All-Americans.
Katie Donovan, Jenna McKinney, Mackenzie Peebles, Kelsey Moore and Mia Calamari earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region nods.
The Maroons reached the NCAA Division III semifinals for the first time since 1996. UChicago would go on to tie North Park, 0-0, after two overtimes before falling in the penalty kick round, 7-6.
RECORD-BREAKING CAMPAIGN
The UChicago men's soccer team outplayed North Park for 110 minutes but were unable to break through with a goal in a 0-0 draw in the national semifinal. North Park would go on to advance to the title match with a 7-6 advantage in the penalty kick round.
NCAA SEMIFINAL RECAP: North Park 0, UChicago 0, 2OT
Senior Andre Abedian was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team, along with junior Matthew Koh.
AWARDS
Junior Max Lopez, far right, was selected for the second time as a United Soccer Coaches All-American.
PEISKER LEADS WAY
Maroons' sophomore Kyle Peisker blasted through the field at the MSOE Invite, going 5-0 en route to a 174-pound championship.
- Steve Bonsall finished runner-up at 157 pounds at MSOE.
- Nick Carola was third in the 174-pound class at MSOE.
- First-year Alec Gleason placed fourth at 133 pounds, going 4-2.
- Senior Nick Ferraro went 3-2 to take fifth in the 184-pound bracket.
- The Maroons also sent wrestlers to the Wisconsin-Parkside Open and were led by first-year Jason Crary (fifth at 157) and junior Jason Lynch (sixth at 184).
NEXT MEETS:
CHICAGO DUALS (at Henry Crown Fieldhouse)
WHEN: 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 30
MIDLANDS CHAMPIONSHIPS at Hoffman Estates, Ill.
When: 9 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 29-30.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Senior Jake Fenlon caught fire in the second half to propel the Maroons to a big 75-56 win over Kalamazoo Dec. 2 to snap a three-game losing streak.
HOME SWEET HOME
Senior Jake Fenlon drained six 3s -- 10 in total -- in the second half to push the Maroons to a a big 75-56 win over Kalamazoo Dec. 2. UChicago fell earlier in the week at Wheaton, 77-74.
NEXT GAME:
Sunday, Dec. 10: UChicago at Illinois Tech, 3 PM CT
DEC. 2 RECAP: UCHICAGO 75, KALAMAZOO 56
DEC. 2 RECAP: WHEATON 77, UCHICAGO 74
DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK
Down by as many as 14 in the second quarter, the UChicago women's basketball team rallied for a second-half comeback win at No. 23 Wheaton to capture an 82-77 victory.
NEXT GAME:
Saturday, Dec. 9: North Park at Chicago, 1PM CT
NOV. 29 RECAP: UChicago 82, #23 Wheaton 77
BRIAN BALDEA
1955-2017
ALWAYS A MAROON
The UChicago Athletics & Recreation family lost a great one in longtime baseball head coach and administrator Brian Baldea, who passed away Dec. 5, 2017, at the age of 62. He was in his 28th year with the Maroons, 24 of those spent as head baseball coach, where he became the all-time leader in wins (411).
- Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9 from 4:00 to 9:00 PM at Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home (5570 West 95th Street / Oak Lawn, IL 60453).
Credits:
Patrick Gorski, Nicole Watkins, Stephan Bates, John Booz.