Topeka, Kan. – 11 days after being crowned KCAC Regular Season Champions, McPherson College men's soccer earned the 2014 KCAC Tournament Champions title as they defeated No. 16 Kansas Wesleyan University 2-1 in the finals of the tournament on Saturday.
"Certainly a great win for the program," said Coach Quint. "It's nice to get back to our championship ways. Today the KCAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year showed why they earned the recognition they did with big goals for us. I couldn't be more proud of this group of men."
After tallying their two semifinal goals in the second period on Thursday, McPherson came out and scored their two in the opening 30 minutes in the final. Oscar Cortez put the 'Dogs on the board first as he blasted an Alex Ronneburg ball into the upper-90 in the 11th minute. Less than 60 seconds later, Kansas Wesleyan scored the equalizer after a ricocheted ball wound up in the back of McPherson's goal. Ronneburg, as the reigning KCAC Offensive Player of the Year, put his team in front for good with an absolute smash of a ball off his left foot from outside the 18-yard box. Mac outshot KWU 10-2 in the first 45 and was able to put five on frame.
In the second half, things got a bit chippy as both teams were determined to win the match. The first yellow card was handed out in the in the 54th minute. 10 minutes later, the next one. Over the next 10, there were a total of six cards given, all to Kansas Wesleyan; a trio of straight red cards came between the 72nd and 75th minutes. Mac added another yellow late in the match which brought the game total to 14 cards. In the final few minutes, KWU, despite being down two players, pushed forward as they looked to tie it up again. McPherson's defense held and the Bulldogs hoisted the banner as 2014 KCAC Tournament Champions after the 2-1 triumph.
MC ended the night taking 13 shots; the Coyotes only took five in the 90-minute contest. Kevin Ndongo led the team in tries with four and Cortez put all three of his on target; Nick Torres also took three attempts in the match.
Statistically, Tanner Horton had a quiet night as the goalie recorded just one save. The freshman was called upon often in the later stages of the match as the 'Dogs kept KWU at bay.
McPherson will now wait to find out their draw for the 2014 NAIA National Men's Soccer Championships. The Bulldogs will play on November 22nd in the opening round; the sites and times will be determined by the NAIA.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
