by Danene Bottiaux
Sports Editor
The men’s soccer team won its fifth conference title under Head Coach Sandy Zensen on Nov. 14 to advance to the NAIA National Championship, but the celebration was short lived as the Lions lost in the first round of the tourney one week later.
With four conference titles already under his belt, Head Soccer Coach Sandy Zensen added another title on Nov. 14 when the men’s soccer team defeated Montreat College (Black Mountain, N.C.) 2-1 at King College (Bristol, Tenn.). In addition to Zensen’s fifth conference title, this was also the first time the men’s soccer team made it to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men’s Soccer National Championship.
“Every now and then God smiles on us all,” was Zensen’s reply to all the congratulation e-mails he received.
National championship qualifiers
The qualifications for the National Championship changed two years ago. In the past there was regional play, where a team had to win the next three games in order to advance. Now, when a team wins their conference, they go directly to the National Championship, which is called a “direct qualification plan.” Past Bryan teams have made it to regional finals but have never gone beyond.
At the beginning of the season, the team began roughly, and towards the end of regular season the Lions gained momentum finishing 8-7 in the regular season.
“We are peaking at the right time; last year we ran out of gas,” said Zensen. “It’s been a long and hard season, and it’s their championship.”
According to Zensen, the team had a great opportunity and was capable of winning.
“If we finish opportunities we create, we will win,” said Zensen.
The Lions were picked to play Southern Polytech (Marietta, Ga.) in the first round of Nationals on Nov. 21. Southern Polytech was the eighth seed in the tournament and ranked fourth in the country.
The Lions ended up losing to Southern Polytech 1-0, and after a great run, their season came to an end.
Season’s key players
Some of the key players this season were juniors Jacobo Gallardo, “a hard-nosed player who doesn’t quit,” Bennie Bardales “[who] brings a lot of creativity on the field” and Rodrigo Pigatto “[with] big saves to keep us where we are.” Along with sophomores Daniel O’Kane and Harry Sherwood “the two best center backs no matter who we played,” and freshman Tom Hemmings “[who] had big goals throughout the season.”
O’Kane received the Conference Player of the Year award, and Hemmings received Freshman of the Year. Those two awards are the highest given in the conference.