The men’s soccer team finished a successful season without a bid to the NAIA championship round.
NAIA officials released a list of teams on the roster for the qualifying rounds Monday, Nov. 17. The Stars did not make the list, despite having a season of winning matches.
The men finished their regular season with a record of 8-4-2 overall and finished first in their conference games with a 7-1-1. The Stars were hoping to excel in their tournament so they could head to nationals in Delray Beach, Fla.
The Stars did not attend the championship round last year. The last time the team attended the championship was 2008, according to the university’s sports website.
“It sucks that we didn’t make it to nationals, but we had a really great season,” Senior Defender Michael Shanahan said. “I am just thankful for everyone who put in so much effort to help make this season the best one it could be.”
There are 10 teams in the conference, and the top eight made it to the tournament.
“Because we finished first in conference, we are obviously expecting to get to nationals,” Senior Defender Danny Frid said, prior to learning the championship roster. “But we are struggling with a few injuries, so we will have to see.”
Frid won the Sooner Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year award for the 2014 season.
All the tournament games were hosted at OCU because they finished first in conference.
They won their first tournament game Nov. 8 against Mid-America Christian University, and their Nov. 11 game against Texas Wesleyan University, 3-2, in double overtime.
After these wins, the men played the final tournament game Nov. 14 against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. The men lost 2-0, breaking their three game winning streak.
“We’re proud of what they’ve achieved,” said Nathan Doll, assistant coach.
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