January 10, 2006

Trio Named 2006 Captains

CHICAGO -- University of Chicago Head Men's Soccer Coach John O'Connor announced today that senior midfielder Joe Frontczak (Creve Cour, Mo./ Chaminade), junior goalkeeper Keith Crum (Holland, Pa./ Council Rock South), and sophomore defender Eric Kirkenmeir (Wheaton, Ill./ Benet Academy) have been selected tri-captains of the 2006 squad by a vote of their teammates.

Frontczak, the Maroons' leading scorer in 2005 with 10 goals and two assists for 22 points, will return for his fifth year of eligibility next year after missing his sophomore year because of an injury. His 10 goals marked the first double-digit performance by a Chicago player since Barret Van Sicklen in 2002. Frontczak started 14 of 20 games at right midfield en route to earning third team NSCAA All-North Central Region and honorable mention All-University Athletic Association accolades.

Crum, the Maroons' record-setting goalkeeper, led his team to the NCAA Division III tournament this past season for the first time since 2001. His team-high six shutouts and 0.83 goals against average earned him second team All-UAA recognition in 2005. Crum holds Chicago single-season records for shutouts (11) and goals against average (0.84) and stands second all-time in shutouts with 17.

Kirkenmeir started all 20 games at left back this past season and recorded three goals and six assists. His six assists were the third-highest total on the team in 2005 and tied him for fourth all-time in a season.

Chicago posted a 14-5-1 mark in 2005 and finished the regular season ranked 20th in the final Adidas/NSCAA Division III national coaches poll. The Maroons advanced to the NCAA Division III sectional final with a 3-2 overtime win over St. John's University (Minn.) before being eliminated on a penalty kick shootout by host Wartburg College.