Box Score
NCCAA Release
In a hard fought and emotional game, the Bob Jones University Bruins men's soccer team emerged victorious as the team defeated the North Central University Rams 2-0 to capture their 1st NCCAA DII National Title. "We're very blessed to have a great group of guys on our team," Bruins Coach Jesse McCormick said. "What we showed in this national tournament is our guys coming together and playing well together all week. I'm very proud of them."
The Bruins entered the game as the #2 seed for the tournament and had battled through their pool play with back to back wins over #3 Grace Bible College and #6 Ozark Christian College. As the two teams took the field at Austin-Tindall Park in Kissimmee, Florida, they each knew one would walk off the field a champion.
In the opening minutes, the Bruins were able to control possession, but the Rams pressured the Bruins and cleared out opportunities. Still, the Bruins pressured the Rams net and continued to create opportunities to score. At the midway point of the half, the Bruins found their first goal of the day as Stephen Grider worked his way past the Rams defense and sent a beautiful bending cross into the middle. Jared Simmons redirected the ball in the air and buried it into the back of the net to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead.
The Rams tried to counter and find the equalizer, but the Bruins defense stood strong and turned aside opportunities. The Bruins continued to maintain pressure offensively and added to their lead as Jesse Rush bent a low shot just past the keeper to put the team up 2-0. With the half coming to a close, the Rams mounted one last charge down the field. They caught a break as Stephen Grider was called for a foul in the box awarding the Rams with a PK. Andrew Kester kept the Rams off the board with an unbelievable save as the Bruins took a 2-0 lead into the break.
"Kester's save on the PK was huge for us going into the half," Coach McCormick said.
In the second half, the Bruins came out and looked to extend their lead. But the Rams also went on the offensive as they looked to get on the board. At the midway point of the half, the Bruins were again called for a foul in the box awarding the Rams with their second PK of the match. Forward David Afolabi made his approach, but his shot sailed overtop of the net as the Bruins remained on top.
With the match coming to a close, the Rams tried to mount an offensive attack, but the Bruins back line of Bryce Colon, Hany Wahba and Josh Harm was just too strong as they continued to limit lanes and chances for the Rams to score. As the final buzzer sounded, the Bruins erupted in celebration as the team won the national title with a 2-0 victory.
"It was a team effort by all of our guys this weekend," Coach McCormick said. "I could start naming our seniors and our guys but they all have played well and pulled together as a team for this win."
Jared Simmons and Jesse Rush were the goal scorers, while Andrew Kester completed his third clean sheet of the tournament. John Wilson, Bryce Colon and Josh Harm were all selected to the All-Tournament team while Bruins midfielder Karl Walker was selected as the tournament's most outstanding player. Throughout the three games, the Bruins defense didn't yield a single goal.
Although the Bruins fought through their toughest schedule this season, the team persevered through the ups and downs to emerge atop the NCCAA, capturing their first-ever national title.
