Soccer Team Finishes 18-3-1 in Their First NAIA Championship Final
Friday Sep, 09 2011
Orange Beach, Alabama — 11.28.11. (Updated Bracket) The Huston-Tillotson University men’s soccer team defeated National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) No. 14 ranked Kansas Wesleyan University 4-3 to earn a trip to the championship finals. The Rams, competing in their first NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round, also earned their first trip to the NAIA National Championship Final. The Rams (18-3-1) lost a long battle 1-0 in overtime against NAIA No. 3 ranked Baker University during Second Round play.
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The top-three seeds all survived in the first day of action at the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship, played at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. In Second Round action, defending national champion and top seed Hastings (Neb.) advanced to its third Quarterfinal round in the last four years. No. 2 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and No. 3 Baker (Kan.) are also headed to Wednesday action.
No. 4 Mobile (Ala.) tripped up against fellow Southern States Athletic Conference member and No. 13 William Carey (Miss.), 3-0. The Crusaders eliminated the Rams thanks to three second-half goals. These teams played to a 1-1 draw during the regular season on Oct. 18.
Hastings needed 80-plus minutes to survive against second-time qualifier Saint Xavier (Ill.). Dru Kobs notched the game-winner for the Broncos in the 81st minute and send his club to the Quarterfinals. The Broncos improved to 8-0-1 in championship play since 2009.
Lindsey Wilson used a goal in each half to take a 2-0 victory over No. 15 Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.). The Blue Raiders limited the Hannibal-LaGrange offense to four shots on goal. The win was the 42nd all-time for Lindsey Wilson in the National Championship. The Mid-South Conference member moved past Quincy (Ill.) for the most wins in the postseason.
In the only overtime match of the day, Baker out-lasted rookie qualifier Huston-Tillotson (Texas), 1-0. Nate Byarlay posted his second of the year in dramatic fashion with his netter in the 97th minute. That marker was Byarlay’s first since Sept. 16. The Wildcats, who are playing in their fifth playoff, are headed to the Quarterfinals for the first time in school history.
In three of the four matches, the score was tied 0-0 at the half. There were also three shutouts on the day.
Hosted by the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Sports Commission and the University of Mobile (Ala.), the Championship continues with more Second Round action on Tuesday. No. 8 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) battles Science & Arts (Okla.) at Noon CST with the first of four matches on the day. Watch all the action live on NeuLion. NeuLion is the NAIA’s Digital Media Partner and official video-streaming company of 10 select NAIA National Championship events. The entire event can be purchased for $29.95 and any single day can be purchased for $9.95. For more information, go to www.WatchNAIA.com.
Second Round Recap: Monday, Nov. 28 – Orange Beach, Ala., Orange Beach Sportsplex
Game 1: No. 1 Hastings (Neb.) def. Saint Xavier (Ill.), 1-0 | Box Score
Headline – Kobs Sends Hastings to Quarterfinals With Game-Winner in 81st Minute
Game 2: No. 2 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) def. No. 15 Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.), 2-0 | Box Score
Headline – Lindsey Wilson Sets All-Time Championship Wins Record
Game 3: No. 3 Baker (Kan.) def. Huston-Tillotson (Texas), 1-0 (OT) | Box Score
Headline – Wildcats Advance to First-Ever Quarterfinal
Game 4: No. 13 William Carey (Miss.) def. No. 4 Mobile (Ala.), 3-0 | Box Score
Headline – Three Second-Half Goals Lifts the Crusaders Past Mobile
Second Round Schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Orange Beach, Ala., Orange Beach Sportsplex
Game 5: No. 8 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) vs. Science & Arts (Okla.), Noon CST
Game 6: No. 7 Bethel (Tenn.) vs. No. 10 Southern Poly (Ga.), 2:30 p.m. CST
Game 7: No. 6 Grand View (Iowa) vs. Great Falls (Mont.), 5 p.m. CST
Game 8: No. 5 Rio Grande (Ohio) vs. No. 12 Belhaven (Miss.), 7:30 p.m. CST
