BETHANY, Okla. — For the first time in the Division II era, Southern Nazarene Men's Soccer was crowned the 2022 GAC/MIAA Tournament Champions after defeating No.2 Rogers State in Sunday's title match.
The Storm (12-5-3, 8-2-2) went into the tournament as the No. 1 seed, taking care of No. 4 seed Northeastern state on Thursday to earn a title match appearance, another historic mark for Coach Trevor Harmon's squad. Matched up with the No. 2 seed Hillcats (10-4-6, 7-1-4), SNU continued to make history as their one goal in the first half earned them the Championship title.
Right from first kick, Rogers State stepped on the gas, taking five shots in the first 20 minutes in search of the first score. Southern Nazarene ruined their chances as Unaiz Shajani dished a pass to Bruno Ferreira for a Crimson Storm goal, claiming the early 1-0 lead over the Hillcats.
SNU looked to tack on another, but couldn't punch one in before the half and the Storm headed into halftime with the 1-0 advantage.
The Storm kept their momentum going into the second half as a couple of shots from Shajani and Miguel Torecillas would keep the Hillcats on their toes. Rogers State had an opportunity to tie the match with an impressive shot from the right of the goal, but SNU keeper Michele Barletta was quick to deny the score, keeping SNU's lead untouched.
Shajani and Orlando Castro each fired a shot with just eight minutes left in the match, looking to grow SNU's lead even further, but both were off the mark. The Hillcats were unable to challenge SNU's lead as the Storm defense put up a wall with the time remaining.
Rogers State saw no offensive opportunities to tie the match and Southern Nazarene stormed the field in celebration of their first GAC/MIAA Tournament Championship Title.
Shajani finished with three shots and two shots on goal while Ferreira added two shots to his one on goal. Barletta ended the match with two saves.
Southern Nazarene had five members be named to the All-Tournament team: Shun Kushima, Rennato Ramos, Bruno Ferreira, Michele Barletta, and Eric Romero.
Romero's defensive efforts also awarded him the Tournament MVP honor.
Southern Nazarene's victory gives them the automatic bid to the NCAA D II Tournament. Game dates and times are to be announced after the conclusion of the NCAA D II selection show.
