by Catherine Rogers
Multimedia Editor
This past weekend the men’s varsity soccer team hosted and dominated the semifinal and final games of the AAC Tournament Championship.
On Friday, they shut out the Buffaloes of Milligan College (Tenn.), winning 3-0, and on Saturday, again defeated their opponent, the Eagles of Reinhardt College (Waleska, Ga.), with a score of 1-0 in overtime.
This is the second year in a row that the Lions have brought home the AAC conference title and set their sights on the NAIA National Championship Tournament. However, this is the first year—in Bryan history—that the Lions will host the national tournament’s opening round.
“There are only 15 other colleges in the United States who have this privilege,” said head coach Sandy Zensen. “And this is the first time Bryan has ever, in any sport, to my knowledge, hosted a first round national tournament game. This is huge.”
This huge game will take place on Saturday at 6 p.m. as the Lions challenge a team on their home field that they have never played, the Cougars of Columbia College (Mo.). This will be the most significant game so far this season, determining whether or not they move on to the next round of the national tournament in Alabama.
“Throughout the season, we have [tried] to get the student body involved in our season, as ultimately we represent them and Bryan when we take the field,” said senior defender Harry Sherwood. “We want to [make] everyone connected to Bryan proud on Saturday evening…We want to seize the moment with everything we have.”
The Lions are now ranked number nine in the nation, according to the 2010 men’s Soccer Coaches’ Final Poll—the highest ranking that the Lions have ever received. The Cougars are currently ranked number 23.
“Only after Saturday, we should start to think about what’s coming next,” said senior keeper Rodrigo Pigatto. “[But] I feel like we probably have the best opportunity ever to make it to the next round of nationals this year.”
[Gallery photos by Catherine Rogers & Mary-Elizabeth Sturtridge]
