OLATHE, Kan. – Nicolas Theberge tucked a low drive inside the left post in the 12th minute for the lone goal of the contest, as No. 8-ranked MidAmerica Nazarene topped Oregon Tech, 1-0, in a first-round game of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship at Pioneer Field.
The host Pioneers (14-3-3) advance to meet William Carey in Saturday's second-round, while the Hustlin' Owls saw their season end at 13-3-4.
"Bummed to not be moving on, but I am really happy for the boys and how far we've come over the course of this season," said OIT head coach Sean McManamon. "They've done an exception job this season and I am very excited to keep this program moving forward into next fall."
MNU put the pressure on Tech in the opening 25 minutes, controlling the run of play and generating multiple quality opportunities. Joel Witts kept the score square with a diving stop of a Antonio Mugica shot in the sixth minute and came off his line in the tenth minute to collect a dangerous cross.
Theberge found the net two minutes later, timing his run off a Mathieu Ecourtemer through-ball and beating Witts to the left post.
While Witts and the OIT defense held off the Pioneers attack the rest of the way – the Owls generated offense in the over the final 60 minutes – but were unable to break through 6-foot-4 keeper Enzo Carvalho.
Cade O'Neill had the Owls best first half chance – a 34th minute drive from just inside the box that missed high – while in the second half, John Sarna had a pair of headers off set pieces that just missed the frame.
MNU finished the game with a 17-7 edge in shots and a 9-1 edge in corners.
The Owls closed the season with their second-highest win total in program history and set team records for goals (53) and assists (44).