Posted: Nov 11, 2008
A.I.I. Championship Preview - Men's Soccer
November 10, 2008 - Beginning on November 14, St. Mary's University and Our Lady of the Lake University will jointly host the 2008 NAIA Association of Independent Institutions Men's Soccer Championship, in San Antonio, Texas. The NAIA's sixth ranked Simon Fraser University (B.C.) have been named the top seed at the inaugural A.I.I. Championship and will face #4 seed Thomas University (TN) in the tournament opener at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. The other semifinal features #2 seed St. Thomas (TX) challenging #3 seed Lambuth (TN) at 2 p.m.The 2008 A.I.I. Championship game will be played on Saturday, November 15, at 11:30 a.m. The winner of the 2008 A.I.I. Championship receives an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championships, which begin with the opening round of competition on November 22, and continue at the National Tournament scheduled for December 1-6, in Fresno, California.
A.I.I. Men's Soccer Semifinals
Friday, November 14
Host: Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX
#1 Seed Simon Fraser (10-5) vs. #4 Seed Thomas (GA) (8-8-1) - 11:30 a.m.
#2 Seed St. Thomas (TX) (8-7) vs. #3 Seed Lambuth (TN) (11-4-1) - 2 p.m.
A.I.I. Men's Soccer Final
Saturday, November 15
Host: Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX
Men's Final - 11:30 a.m.
Season Reviews:
Courtesy SFU, Lambuth and Thomas Sports Information
#1 Simon Fraser University (B.C.) Clan
2008 Record: 10-5
It was a daunting task for first year Simon Fraser University Clan head coach Alan Koch entering the 2008 season. Koch had inherited a program that was fresh off the heels of an appearance in the 2007 NAIA Final Four, and with nine returning starters from that team, expectations were high for 2008.
SFU initially stumbled out of the gate, dropping their season opener to provincial rival Trinity Western. But under Koch's tutelage the Clan did not buckle, finishing the regular season strong with a 10-5-0 record, and were consistently ranked in the NAIA's top ten for the majority of the season, and enter the A.I.I. tournament ranked sixth overall in the NAIA. Big wins for Simon Fraser came this season when they defeated then #1 ranked Azusa Pacific 1-0 in September and CIS top-ten ranked UBC 2-0 in October to claim the 2008 Challenge Cup. SFU also posted a five-game win streak midway through the season.
SFU is led offensively but a pair of talented forwards. Senior Justin Carvery has battled an ankle injury in 2008, however enters the tournament with nine points in twelve games, and in full health. Complementing the speedy Carvery at forward is playmaker Lucas Barrett. The junior leads SFU with eight goals and two assists for 20 points, and has two hat-tricks on the year.
In the midfielder, Baker transfer Thomas Lowndes has been a consistent force on set plays, while senior Stefano Pannu is tied with Carvery for second on the team with nine points.
With SFU's top two defenders from 2007 moving on to professional careers in the USL, there was insecurity on the backline heading into the season. Defenders Milos Jeftic and Todd Lucyk however quelled that discussion with their consistent play, while newcomer Carson Gill has been exceptional since transferring to SFU in 2008.
In goal, senior Thomas Lindley is the Clan's rock, posting a 10-5 record and a goals against average of 1.06 on the season. Lindley is a former Region I All-Star, and is looking to close his collegiate career with a successful postseason beginning with the A.I.I. Championship.
#2 St. Thomas University (TX) Celts
2008 Record: 8-7
In only their second year as an NAIA program, the St. Thomas Celts have recorded their first winning season, and enter the 2008 NAIA Association of Independent Institutions Championship as the #2 seed.
Posting an 8-7 record in the regular season, St. Thomas has won three of their last four games entering the tournament, including a 3-1 victory over Our Lady of the Lake. A strong defensive team, the Celts currently are second overall in the NAIA in shutouts per game with a 0.710 mark and have outscored opponents 28-to-19 on the season.
Head coach Aaron Champenoy, in only his second season with the team, has put forth a squad that could surprise many at the tournament. Offensively Rafael Bustos leads the team with 16 points, including seven goals and two assists and has two multi-goal games this year. Bustos also has the team lead in total shots with 39 and total shots on goal with 20. Jad El-Masri is currently the team leader with five assists, while Omar Alonso and Martin Jimenez each are tied for second on the team with ten points.
Goalkeepers Jorge Ibarra and Lukas Simon split time in goal, with Ibarra leading the team with 46 saves on the season.
#3 Lambuth University (TN) Eagles
2008 Record: 11-4-1
After a 2007 season that saw the Lambuth Eagles go 12-7 and win the TranSouth Conference regular season championship, much was expected from 2008 squad. The team did not disappoint as they finished 11-4-1.
The team had a good mix of student-athletes with eight seniors and five new players, along with some seasoned players returning. Much was expected from midfielder Adam Goldie and he had a great regular season. Goldie led the team in assists this season and provided leadership throughout the year.
Another senior, Wade Wadsworth was a marked man all year but still led the team in goals. He averaged 0.5 goals per game. With two people on Wadsworth much of the year, other players benefited with open shots on goal. Wadsworth led the team in shots with 53 on the season.
In goal, Brett Borm averaged 3.25 saves per contest and had 52 saves on the year.
One of the big strengths of the 2008 squad has been depth. For the most part it was an injury-free season. A lot of players saw action and it paid off for the Eagles with several second-half comebacks.
Two of the four losses by Lambuth came to top-ranked teams with losses to Tusculum College and Berry College.
The Eagles enter post season play with a five game winning streak. In those five wins the Eagles' defense has pitched four shutouts. The other game in that mix was a 4-3 overtime win over Lyon College.
" We are very pleased with our year," said Lambuth head coach Paul Conway. "We lost two very good players last year in J.W. Hunt and Brenton Saylor. Our seniors up stepped just like we thought they would and our new players contributed as well. We are very excited about the post season. We hope to play well and represent Lambuth in great fashion."
#4 Thomas University (GA) Night Hawks
2008 Record: 8-8-1
The start of the 2008 season was not a kind one to the Thomas University Night Hawks. TU dropped their first game of the season to NAIA #18 Warner Southern College 3-2, in a game where TU gave up two penalty kicks that resulted in a 2-0 deficit at half. The Night Hawks would fight their way back to tie it up at two, but with less than five minutes remaining Warner Southern would capitalize on a poor clearance out of the back and take home the 3-2 victory. On August 31, TU seemed to have turned it around as they battled for a tie against then NCAA DII #18 University of West Florida 1-1 at home, but six days later were handed a tough loss to Flagler College 3-1.
After the slow start the Night Hawks hit their full stride as they started a home stand against NCAA DII powers St. Leo University, Florida Southern College, and Rollins College. The Night Hawks went on to beat then #19 St. Leo University 2-1 and things began to roll as the Night Hawks turned around and took care of Florida Southern 4-1 and Rollins College 3-1. TU would go on to rattle off two more victories against Spring Hill College 6-0 and then St. Thomas University (FL) 3-0 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The wins would help the Night Hawks jump to a 5-2-1 record. TU would finish off their South Florida road trip against NCAA DII Nova Southeastern University, which would result in a tough 4-3 loss. The loss to Nova seemed to have set the Night Hawks back a bit as they went on to drop another tough road game to NAIA #23 University of Mobile 3-1.
A little past the midway point of the season the Night Hawks were boasting a record of 5-4-1 but still had tough road games against NAIA #14 William Carey and Berry College awaiting them. TU would also have an away game against #24 Shorter College, which was held at a neutral site in Gainesville, GA. The Night Hawks would come out of that span 1-2 with their only win coming against #24 Shorter College 2-1 in double overtime.
Though the season has been up and down for the Night Hawks, they have battle through a difficult schedule. A schedule which has seen them take on six nationally ranked teams and seven NCAA DII teams. TU finished 2-3-1 against those nationally ranked teams and 4-2-1 against the NCAA DII teams. Overall, the Night Hawks finish their season at 8-8-1 and boast a 1.75 goals against average. Freshman Jonah Mukada and Sophomore Alex Fleming lead the team offensively as Mukada has scored 12 goals for 29 total points and Fleming has nine goals and 23 total points.
A.I.I. Men's Soccer Semifinals
Friday, November 14
Host: Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX
#1 Seed Simon Fraser (10-5) vs. #4 Seed Thomas (GA) (8-8-1) - 11:30 a.m.
#2 Seed St. Thomas (TX) (8-7) vs. #3 Seed Lambuth (TN) (11-4-1) - 2 p.m.
A.I.I. Men's Soccer Final
Saturday, November 15
Host: Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX
Men's Final - 11:30 a.m.
Season Reviews:
Courtesy SFU, Lambuth and Thomas Sports Information
#1 Simon Fraser University (B.C.) Clan
2008 Record: 10-5
It was a daunting task for first year Simon Fraser University Clan head coach Alan Koch entering the 2008 season. Koch had inherited a program that was fresh off the heels of an appearance in the 2007 NAIA Final Four, and with nine returning starters from that team, expectations were high for 2008.
SFU initially stumbled out of the gate, dropping their season opener to provincial rival Trinity Western. But under Koch's tutelage the Clan did not buckle, finishing the regular season strong with a 10-5-0 record, and were consistently ranked in the NAIA's top ten for the majority of the season, and enter the A.I.I. tournament ranked sixth overall in the NAIA. Big wins for Simon Fraser came this season when they defeated then #1 ranked Azusa Pacific 1-0 in September and CIS top-ten ranked UBC 2-0 in October to claim the 2008 Challenge Cup. SFU also posted a five-game win streak midway through the season.
SFU is led offensively but a pair of talented forwards. Senior Justin Carvery has battled an ankle injury in 2008, however enters the tournament with nine points in twelve games, and in full health. Complementing the speedy Carvery at forward is playmaker Lucas Barrett. The junior leads SFU with eight goals and two assists for 20 points, and has two hat-tricks on the year.
In the midfielder, Baker transfer Thomas Lowndes has been a consistent force on set plays, while senior Stefano Pannu is tied with Carvery for second on the team with nine points.
With SFU's top two defenders from 2007 moving on to professional careers in the USL, there was insecurity on the backline heading into the season. Defenders Milos Jeftic and Todd Lucyk however quelled that discussion with their consistent play, while newcomer Carson Gill has been exceptional since transferring to SFU in 2008.
In goal, senior Thomas Lindley is the Clan's rock, posting a 10-5 record and a goals against average of 1.06 on the season. Lindley is a former Region I All-Star, and is looking to close his collegiate career with a successful postseason beginning with the A.I.I. Championship.
#2 St. Thomas University (TX) Celts
2008 Record: 8-7
In only their second year as an NAIA program, the St. Thomas Celts have recorded their first winning season, and enter the 2008 NAIA Association of Independent Institutions Championship as the #2 seed.
Posting an 8-7 record in the regular season, St. Thomas has won three of their last four games entering the tournament, including a 3-1 victory over Our Lady of the Lake. A strong defensive team, the Celts currently are second overall in the NAIA in shutouts per game with a 0.710 mark and have outscored opponents 28-to-19 on the season.
Head coach Aaron Champenoy, in only his second season with the team, has put forth a squad that could surprise many at the tournament. Offensively Rafael Bustos leads the team with 16 points, including seven goals and two assists and has two multi-goal games this year. Bustos also has the team lead in total shots with 39 and total shots on goal with 20. Jad El-Masri is currently the team leader with five assists, while Omar Alonso and Martin Jimenez each are tied for second on the team with ten points.
Goalkeepers Jorge Ibarra and Lukas Simon split time in goal, with Ibarra leading the team with 46 saves on the season.
#3 Lambuth University (TN) Eagles
2008 Record: 11-4-1
After a 2007 season that saw the Lambuth Eagles go 12-7 and win the TranSouth Conference regular season championship, much was expected from 2008 squad. The team did not disappoint as they finished 11-4-1.
The team had a good mix of student-athletes with eight seniors and five new players, along with some seasoned players returning. Much was expected from midfielder Adam Goldie and he had a great regular season. Goldie led the team in assists this season and provided leadership throughout the year.
Another senior, Wade Wadsworth was a marked man all year but still led the team in goals. He averaged 0.5 goals per game. With two people on Wadsworth much of the year, other players benefited with open shots on goal. Wadsworth led the team in shots with 53 on the season.
In goal, Brett Borm averaged 3.25 saves per contest and had 52 saves on the year.
One of the big strengths of the 2008 squad has been depth. For the most part it was an injury-free season. A lot of players saw action and it paid off for the Eagles with several second-half comebacks.
Two of the four losses by Lambuth came to top-ranked teams with losses to Tusculum College and Berry College.
The Eagles enter post season play with a five game winning streak. In those five wins the Eagles' defense has pitched four shutouts. The other game in that mix was a 4-3 overtime win over Lyon College.
" We are very pleased with our year," said Lambuth head coach Paul Conway. "We lost two very good players last year in J.W. Hunt and Brenton Saylor. Our seniors up stepped just like we thought they would and our new players contributed as well. We are very excited about the post season. We hope to play well and represent Lambuth in great fashion."
#4 Thomas University (GA) Night Hawks
2008 Record: 8-8-1
The start of the 2008 season was not a kind one to the Thomas University Night Hawks. TU dropped their first game of the season to NAIA #18 Warner Southern College 3-2, in a game where TU gave up two penalty kicks that resulted in a 2-0 deficit at half. The Night Hawks would fight their way back to tie it up at two, but with less than five minutes remaining Warner Southern would capitalize on a poor clearance out of the back and take home the 3-2 victory. On August 31, TU seemed to have turned it around as they battled for a tie against then NCAA DII #18 University of West Florida 1-1 at home, but six days later were handed a tough loss to Flagler College 3-1.
After the slow start the Night Hawks hit their full stride as they started a home stand against NCAA DII powers St. Leo University, Florida Southern College, and Rollins College. The Night Hawks went on to beat then #19 St. Leo University 2-1 and things began to roll as the Night Hawks turned around and took care of Florida Southern 4-1 and Rollins College 3-1. TU would go on to rattle off two more victories against Spring Hill College 6-0 and then St. Thomas University (FL) 3-0 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The wins would help the Night Hawks jump to a 5-2-1 record. TU would finish off their South Florida road trip against NCAA DII Nova Southeastern University, which would result in a tough 4-3 loss. The loss to Nova seemed to have set the Night Hawks back a bit as they went on to drop another tough road game to NAIA #23 University of Mobile 3-1.
A little past the midway point of the season the Night Hawks were boasting a record of 5-4-1 but still had tough road games against NAIA #14 William Carey and Berry College awaiting them. TU would also have an away game against #24 Shorter College, which was held at a neutral site in Gainesville, GA. The Night Hawks would come out of that span 1-2 with their only win coming against #24 Shorter College 2-1 in double overtime.
Though the season has been up and down for the Night Hawks, they have battle through a difficult schedule. A schedule which has seen them take on six nationally ranked teams and seven NCAA DII teams. TU finished 2-3-1 against those nationally ranked teams and 4-2-1 against the NCAA DII teams. Overall, the Night Hawks finish their season at 8-8-1 and boast a 1.75 goals against average. Freshman Jonah Mukada and Sophomore Alex Fleming lead the team offensively as Mukada has scored 12 goals for 29 total points and Fleming has nine goals and 23 total points.