CU Fresno-Bound for NAIA Men's Soccer Finals
NAIA Championships Bracket
FRESNO, Calif. – The NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championships is set to start on Monday, Dec. 1 at the final site in Fresno, Calif. There are 16 teams -- including CCC champion Concordia -- in contention for the 50th annual national championship trophy in the event hosted by Fresno Pacific (Calif.) University and the Fresno Sports Council.
The Cavaliers, coming off a penalty kick shootout win over Concordia-Irvine last Saturday, will square off against eighth-seeded Hastings (Neb.) Tuesday at 7 p.m.
In all, there are 15 games beginning with an 11:30 a.m. match on Dec. 1. There are four games scheduled during the first three days. The Semifinals are slated for Friday, Dec. 5 at 5 and 7:30 p.m. and the 2008 champion is crowned at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. For ticket information in Fresno, Calif., contact Michelle Boling at 559-453-2009.
Defending national champion Azusa Pacific (Calif.) is not on the participant list as the Cougars lost in an emotional conference championship game back on Nov. 17. The 2008 field is relatively new considering that two programs (Dana & Mount Vernon Nazarene) are making their first ever appearance and four others picked up their first championship win in opening round action on Nov. 22.
No. 1 seed Oklahoma City is a team trying to become just the second No. 1 seed since 2002 to win the Championship -- Azusa Pacific was the top seed and won the 2007 ring. Senior defender and a 2007 NAIA honorable mention All-American Andy Taylor spearheads a defense to allow 0.86 goals per game.
The Stars have to face the championship host, Fresno Pacific (Calif.) at 7 p.m. on Monday. FPU is playing host to is second Men’s Soccer National Championships. The SunBirds welcomed the 1984 event and were the national runners-up to West Virginia Wesleyan.
No. 3 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), which holds 35 wins all-time in the championships, is one of two current teams (Fresno Pacific is the other) this year that advanced to the 2007 quarterfinals. The Blue Raiders are riding a current 15-match unbeaten streak and boast nine shut-outs during that stretch. LWC is making its 16th appearance and 15th straight, which is the most straight trips by any school in the field. No. 11 Westmont (Calif.) is tied with Lindsey Wilson for the most active appearances (16) and stands with a 15-21-2 all-time mark in the Championships.
Another seasoned team in championship action is Mobile (Ala.). In its 12th appearance, the Rams are one of four participants to own at least one championship. Mobile takes on Dana (Neb.) at 2 p.m. on Monday.
Rio Grande (Ohio), seeded No. 2 in the field, is looking to get back to early season form. The Red Storm jumped out to a 12-0-1 record to begin 2008 and was ranked No. 1 in the polls for four straight weeks. Rio won the 2003 Championship and has appeared in eight straight tournaments.
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