EVANS, Ga. – The No. 17 Mid-America Christian men's soccer team battled through a torrential rain storm during the first round of the NAIA National Championships, but saw their season come to a close as St. Thomas scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute to hand the Evangels a hard-fought 1-0 loss on Tuesday night.
While both teams struggled to generate any sort of offensive attack in the downpour, Mid-America Christian (15-4-3) did have some great chances at a go-ahead goal and in equalizer in the second half.
St. Thomas' first great chance at the lead came with just under 26 minutes remaining in the second half. On the play, the Bobcats tried a long shot from the left side, but MACU goalkeeper Juan Cediel made a fantastic leaping save to push Juan Manuel Collazo's shot just inches over the crossbar.
With 18:42 remaining in the second half, St. Thomas (15-4) was called for a foul 25-yards out from the center of the field. On the free kick, Endri Copa fired a rocket shot toward the goal, but the attempt bounced off the top of the crossbar, keeping it to a scoreless game.
A few minutes later, the Bobcats netted the only goal of the match. With 15:30 remaining, STU's Ben Becker tracked down a clear off his corner kick from the right side and sent a high pass into the six-yard box, as Felipe Madero got his head on it and sent it from the left side toward the right post to make it a 1-0 Bobcats advantage.
Mid-America Christian's best chance at an equalizer came with just over 13 minutes remaining when Cesar Ramirez was tripped up inside the 18-yard box, setting up a penalty kick for Rodrigo Albuquerque. However, Albuquerque fired a low line drive right at STU goalkeeper Franco Acerbi that was saved, keeping MACU off the board.
The Evangels had another good chance less than a minute later when Fabian Forisch's cross from the right side found the head of Mason Gonzalez, but Acerbi made a fantastic leaping save toward the left post.
MACU's last chance at an equalizer came with 45 seconds left when Dante Luz sent a ball from midfield into the box for the run of Gonzalez, but Acerbi made another strong save on Gonzalez's attempt toward the left post from 15 yards out to seal the Evangels' fate.
Despite suffering the loss, Mid-America Christian was the more aggressive team in the attack, taking 12 shots and placing six on-goal while St. Thomas notched nine shots with two landing on-target.
Albuquerque led the MACU offensive attack with five shots, putting three on-frame while Gonzalez added a pair of on-target shots.
Mid-America Christian wrapped up one of the most successful seasons in program history, making it to the final 10 of the NAIA National Championship Tournament, the farthest the program has ever advanced. MACU also turned in the second-most wins in a single season since joining the NAIA in 2008, sitting only behind last season's NCCAA National Championship team that finished with 20 victories.
