WAVERLY, Iowa – Members of the 2004 men's soccer team will be back at Wartburg to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of its Elite Eight run in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 19 before Wartburg's homecoming match against Central at 5:30 p.m.
 
The Knights started the 2004 campaign with a 6-1-1 record in non-conference play. Wartburg went on to win the regular season conference title with an Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) record of 7-0-1 before capturing the IIAC Tournament title with a 2-0 win over Loras at home. The regular season title was the first in program history and the tournament title was the second in program history after winning it the season before as well.
 
Wartburg advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where the Knights hosted the first round and defeated Dominican University before going on the road to defeat No. 6 Calvin University to advance to the Sweet 16. The Knights beat Wilmington College on the road in the round of 16 to advance to the Elite Eight. Wartburg went on the road to Greensboro, N.C., where the Knights fell to Messiah University 2-0 in the national quarterfinals to close the historic season with a record of 20-2-2.
 
The Knights were led by head coach Jim Conlon, who is the all-time program leader in wins with 105 over eight seasons. Over those eight seasons Conlon's teams averaged 13.1 wins per season and reached the NCAA Tournament four times. The 2004 squad is still the only team in program history to hit the 20-win mark in a season as well as the only team in program history to reach the Elite Eight. The 2004 season also marked the programs first time hosting an NCAA Tournament match.
 
2004 team in the record book (Complete record book can be found here)

All-Americans: Collin Lane (Third team, NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches) and Verne Houston (Third team, NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches)  
All-Region: Collin Lane and Verne Houston
All-Conference: Harrison Kibombo-Lugujjo (MVP); Verne Houston, Collin Lane, Zach Prieve, Kirk Artist and Scott Hill (first team); Jim Conlon, Coach of the Year
 
Team Season Records Held
Points – 1^st (240)
Points Per Game - 1^st (10.0)
Assists – 1^st (68)
Goals – 1^st (86)
Wins – 1^st (20)
Most Shutouts – T-1^st (15)
 
Individual Season Records Held
Verne Houston – T-1^st in goals scored in a season (28)