FRESNO, Calif. – (box score) No. 11 seed Westmont (Calif.) College forward Dan Sargent scored the only goal of the game as the Warriors defeated Baker (Kan.) University by a score of 1-0 in the second round of the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship.  As a result, Westmont, will advance to the quarterfinals to take on seventh-ranked and fourteenth-seeded Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.  Baker concludes its season with a record of 14-7-2.

The victory extends the Warriors win streak to seven and continues a remarkable post-season journey. The sixth seed in the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament, Westmont upended third-seeded Vanguard and second-seeded Concordia to earn a place in the conference championship against top-seeded Azusa Pacific.

But before the GSAC championship game could be played, the Tea Fire swept through Westmont’s Montecito campus, destroying nine buildings, 50 dorm rooms and 15 faculty homes. One team member lost his dorm room to the fire while another suffered water damage to his dorm. A third team member lost his off-campus housing to the fire. The home of head coach Dave Wolf, his wife Jill and their five children was among the faculty homes that were burned to the ground.

In a remarkable display of sportsmanship by Azusa Pacific, the GSAC championship game was delayed two days to allow Westmont to regroup after the fire. On Monday, November 17, Westmont defeated Azusa Pacific 2-0 in the championship, bringing an end to the season for the reigning national champions and earning a berth in the national championship.

Westmont was granted a first round home game, but with the campus still closed due to fire, the game was moved to Harder Stadium on the campus of UC Santa Barbara. In an emotional game played in front of 2,000 fans, the Warriors defeated Holy Names 3-2 in double-overtime.

Westmont’s unenviable road through the post-season faced another road bump when the team bus broke down on the way to Fresno.  A trip that should have lasted about five hours, instead exceed sixteen.  The Warriors missed the opening banquet and an opportunity to practice.

But they didn’t miss the game.

In just the eighth minute of the contest, sophomore Saul Moreno headed the ball to Sargent who in turn headed it into the net.

“The ball was crossed in by one of our wingers and a Baker’s defender cleared it out with a header,” said Moreno. “I was the only one at the top of the box and I saw the ball go straight up in the air. It was headed right for me so I was looking around to see where I should head it. Should I head it outside so we could get a cross, or head it in? Right before I headed it I saw Sarge darting towards the goalie. As I headed it I called, “Sarge”. The ball cleared their defender and Sarge was right on the goalie. Sarge hits it and chips the goalie. It was great.”

“Saul hit a great ball to me,” said Sargent. “I was just barely onside. I saw the goalie come out and just popped it over.”

Westmont keeper Justin Etherton notched his eighth shutout of the season, recording four saves in the process.

“I felt confident the whole game,” said Etherton. “We didn’t play our best; we could have put it away earlier.  That made it a little tougher in the end.  But it felt like we were in control. Defensively, it felt like we hadn’t played in a while, but after a couple of communication miscues we figured it out. Coach has been telling us from the beginning of the year that in the tournament you have to compete in the box.”

“My overall impression was that it wasn’t our best game,” agreed Wolf. “It is probably the first time this year that we didn’t play great against a quality opponent but still came away with a result. I think that says something about our resiliency, about our mental toughness and about our commitment to defend. We did a better job in the second half of closing up space and of reading situations better.”

Both teams took 15 shots during the contest which was played on a wet field due to overcast skies and a slight mist.

“I thought Baker was a very good and very athletic team,” noted Wolf. “Anything we didn’t do just right fundamentally put us in a bad spot. I thought we were all over the place in the first half. We did a better job in the second half of closing up space and of reading situations better.”

Mount Vernon Nazarene (17-3-2) advanced to tomorrow’s quarterfinal showdown with the Warriors by virtue of a 1-0 upset over #1 Lindsey Wilson. The Cougars are led in scoring by senior forward Adam Worrall who has recorded 23 goals and produced nine assists this season.

For more information on the 2008 National Championship, click here.

 

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 in contention for the 50th Annual National Championship trophy in the event hosted by Fresno Pacific (Calif.) University and the Fresno Sports Council. 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 was the national runners-up to West Virginia Wesleyan.

No. 3 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), who 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.

JumpTV Inc. is the exclusive provider of live video and audio-streaming at the NAIA National Championship. JumpTV will stream all games at the 2008 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championships. Click here for live streaming.

For more information on the Championships, click here.

For the official Championship bracket, click here.

For the official Championship Press Book, click here.

2008 National Championship Schedule (All Times PST):

• Monday, December 1

Game 1: #15 Madonna (Mich.) vs. #2 Rio Grande (Ohio) -- 11:30 a.m.

Game 2: Mobile (Ala.) vs. Dana (Neb.) -- 2 p.m.

Game 3: #3 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) vs. #14 Mt. Vernon Nazarene -- 4:30 p.m.

Game 4: #1 Oklahoma City vs. Fresno Pacific (Calif.) -- 7 p.m.

 

• Tuesday, December 2

Game 5: #7 Notre Dame (Ohio) vs. #10 Maine-Fort Kent -- 11:30 a.m.

Game 6: Bethel (Tenn.) vs. #12 Southern Nazarene (Okla.) -- 2 p.m.

Game 7: #11 Westmont (Calif.) vs. Baker (Kan.) -- 4:30 p.m.

Game 8: Concordia (Ore.) vs. #8 Hastings (Neb.) -- 7 p.m.

 

• Wednesday, December 3

Game 9: NDC/UMFK Winner vs. MU/URG WInner -- 11:30 a.m. 

Game 10: BU/SNU Winner vs. UM/DC Winner -- 2 p.m. 

Game 11: LWC/MVNU Winner vs. WC/BU Winner -- 4:30 p.m. 

Game 12: OCU/FPU Winner vs. CU/HC Winner -- 7 p.m. 

 

• Friday, December 5

Game 13: Winner of Game 10 vs. Winner of Game 12 -- 5 p.m. 

Game 14: Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 11 -- 7:30 p.m.  

 

• Saturday, December 6 - Championship

Game 15: 6 p.m.

 

2008 National Championship Fun Facts:

• Fresno Pacific (Calif.) is hosting the National Championship for the second time. The SunBirds hosted the 1984 Championship in which West Virginia Wesleyan won by a 3-2 double-overtime count against FPU.

• Two teams earned an appearance at the National Championship final site as an At-Large berth -- No. 1 Oklahoma City and No. 2 Rio Grande (Ohio).

• Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is second in all-time wins with 35 looking up at Quincy’s (Ill.) 41 victories.

• This is the first Championship final site appearance for two schools: Dana (Neb.) and Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio).

• In the 2008 field, Maine-Fort Kent holds the most wins on the year with a 20-0-1 mark.

• Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Westmont (Calif.) are each making their 16th overall Championship appearances -- Lindsey is playing in its 15th straight event while Westmont is competing for the first time since 2000.

• Four schools in this year’s event boast at least one National Championship: Lindsey Wilson (6), Mobile (Ala.), Rio Grande (Ohio) and Westmont each hold one. Quincy (Ill.) sports 11 national championships -- the most all-time of any men’s soccer program.

• After Azusa Pacific (Calif.) won the 2007 title, that marked the sixth straight season that a different team won the ring.

• Since pool play was eliminated prior to 1999, just three No. 1 seeds have played in the title game - Azusa Pacific (Calif.) in 2007, Lindsey Wilson in 2001 and Mobile (Ala.) in 1999.

Baker Soccer advances to National Finals in Fresno, California
Baldwin City, KS. – With 9:34 remaining in OT, it was Matt Germain scoring the game winning goal to send Baker to the national finals for the fourth time in school history.  The game itself was a defensive one by all means.  Baker had only two shots on goal, both by Matt Germain.  Park had one shot on goal the entire game.  Baker will now travel Fresno, California to face-off against Westmont.

Indianola, IA.- The Baker Men's Soccer team won a thriller on Saturday evening. The victory was at the Heart of America Conference Championship Game played at Simpson College in Indianola, IA. The cat's led 1-0 on a goal from Matt Germain on a cross from Kome Okiomah. Graceland then scored two goals to go up 2-1 at half. The cats came out strong and scored their first goal off the foot of Owen Barnhart, unassisted. Then the cats took the lead through Matt Germain off of a cross from Gerard Grehan. Grehan finished the scoring with a goal of his own off a shot by Kome Okiomah.

The Wildcats have qualified for the national tournament for the first time since 2004. The selection and brackets of the teams will be announced at 7pm Sunday evening.

Gerard Grehan named HAAC Player of the Week
Dunboyne, Ireland #15 Baker – KS- Winner at the Conference Level

 

Baker Men’s Soccer to compete in HAAC Title Game Today
Baldwin City, KS. - Today it was announced that the HAAC Title Game will not take place in Lamoni, Iowa at Graceland University as it was planned to be. Rainy weather made the field unplayable for this upcoming weekend. Realistically this is probably a good thing for the Wildcats. It will seem as if both teams are playing at a neutral site for the conference championship.  On Thursday it was Baker defeating  14th ranked MidAmerica Nazarene in the semi-finals in Olathe, KS.  Kome Okiomah scored the game winning goal in the overtime period with seven minutes remaining.  The HAAC Title game will be played today at 5:00 in Iowa at Simpson College.

| Baker Mens Soccer advances to HAAC Semifinals with road win over Lindenwood
St. Charles, MO. – At the end of the night, it was pure dominance and fun for the Baker Wildcats Men’s Soccer team.  Gerard Grehan (pictured) led the way chipping in a goal and assist in the 2-0 shutout of Lindenwood.  Matt Germain also netted a goal with an assist, to go along with the stellar goaltending of Alex Burton.  Burton saved all seven shots he faced.  On Thursday afternoon, the Wildcats will travel to MidAmerica to face the Pioneers in a semifinal showdown to compete in the HAAC Championship Game.  Things will get kicked off at 1:00 pm in Olathe, KS.

 

 

Both Soccer teams shutout Missouri Valley 1-0 on Homecoming Saturday
Baldwin City, KS. – An hour after the football game ended it was time for the Lady Cats soccer team to come out showcase their recent success in front of the Baker Homecoming crowd.  Mikayla Medlock scored the lone goal for the Lady Cats in their 1-0 shutout of Missouri Valley College.  As Coach Nate Houser stated, “It doesn’t matter how many goals we score as long as we score more than our opponents.”  Coach Houser echoed these sentiments for both games.  Kome Okiomah was the lone goal scorer on the men’s side.  The men will be in action again Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm from Liston Stadium against 9th ranked Park University.  Park has won their past 5 games in a dominating fashion.  On Saturday afternoon Park University defeated York College 7-0.

September 29, 2008

Soccer teams shutout opponents on the week

The men and womens soccer teams were back in action this week after their trip to Laguna Beach, California.  On Wednesday both teams headed to Canton, Missouri to take on Culver Stockton College.  The women set a school record defeating Culver Stockton 16-0, Christine Janssens scored 3 goals; Alex Schiraldi scored 3 goals, Audrey McKay 2 goals, Jessica Schrock 2 goals, Gina Shiraldi 1 goal, Haley Orborny 1 goal, Jen Sampson 1 goal, Mikayla Medlock 1 goal, Jessica Shiney 1 goal, and Kelsey Applebaugh with 1 goal.  The men came out in the same fashion against Culver Stockton defeating them 5-0.  Matt Germain led the charge scoring 3 goals.

Saturday both teams returned home to face Morningside College.  Both the men and the women defeated Morningside 4-0.  On the Lady Cats side, Christine Janssens led the charge yet again scoring 3 more goals giving her a total of 6 on the week and earning her HAAC Player of the Week honors.  On the mens side Matt Germain also earned HAAC Player of the Week honors for his three goals and one assist performance.

September 24, 2008

Wildcats score five goals in the second half to claim HAAC opener.
Canton, MO. – Following the ladies dominating performance on Wednesday, the Baker Men’s Soccer team took the field.  After being shutdown in California, the men came out and defeated Culver Stockton 5-0 with all scoring occurring in the second half.  Check back for more details.  The Wildcats now hold a record of 4-2-1 (1-0).

Baker Soccer Travels to Laguna Beach, California

San Diego, CA. – The Baker Men and Women’s Soccer teams will compete in California this weekend. The men will face off against Azusa Pacific this evening, the women will take on Point Loma Nazarene tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm.  Azusa Pacific (1-2-2) was ranked #1 in the nation in the coaches preseason top 25 poll.  Point Loma Nazarene (4-0-0) is currently ranked #2 in the nation.  Coach Houser stressed how important both of these games will be to both of the programs.  “Azusa Pacific speaks for itself being ranked where they were to start the season.  Point Loma has some of the best athletes we will probably face all season.  These games should be a good gauge for both squads.”  The Baker men currently hold a record of 3-1-1 (1st place in the HAAC).  The women currently hold a record of 3-3-0 (6th place in the HAAC).

Baker Soccer falls 3-0 to Azusa Pacific

Azusa Pacific scored three goals in the first half of this contest. Ultimately Baker was never able to turn things around, and ended up being shutout 3-0. Check back for detailed updates.

Goals:

APU – 11th minute, Alex Earl (Ryan Cheek)

APU – 21st minute, Dana Yoshizu (Ashkon Banihashemi)

APU – 44th minute, Jared Karkas (penalty kick)

 

Cautions/Ejections:

YC – Baker #25 (32nd minute)

YC – Baker #17 (35th minute)

RC – Baker #18 (44th minute)

YC – Baker TM (70th minute)

 

Goalkeeper Saves:

APU – James Crawford 3

Baker – Alex Burton 4

 

Shots:

APU – 10

Baker – 6

 

Corner Kicks:

APU – 2

Baker – 1

 

Fouls:

APU – 11

Baker – 12