KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Just when it seemed like CIU men's soccer's run in the NCCAA DI Men's Soccer National Championship could not get any wilder; it did, as the Rams overcame a 3-0 deficit to secure a birth Saturday's title match. The Rams defeated Campbellsville (Ky.) 4-3 in double-overtime in Friday's semifinal match. Tomorrow's championship will be the first in CIU men's soccer program history. Head Coach Bill Brindley won two NCCAA DII titles while at Trinity Baptist (Fla.), but tomorrow's contest will be his first shot at an NCCAA DI title.
Scoring Summary: The Rams fell behind early as the entirety of the Tigers scoring came within in a ten minute span. Campbellsville struck first with a goal in the 24' minute and then followed that up with back-to-back scores in the 31' and 33' minutes to go up 3-0. All three goals came by way of Gustav Oskarsson, who notched a hat-trick in the first frame.
The Rams responded almost immediately after halftime, with Gabriel Rokov scoring his fourth goal of the season on an assist from Sohya Yamamoto in the 49' minute. Just seven minutes later, the Rams found the back of the net again, this time on a strike from Bryan Molina, who was set up by Marlon Williams. The Rams' final score in regulation came on a Benedict Kartheuser penalty kick after a foul was committed by the Tigers in the box at the 67' minute. Both teams held tight defensively for the final 23 minutes of regulation, forcing two overtime periods.
Fittingly senior Praise Kabwe gave CIU the 4-3 lead in the 96' minute as Kabwe racked up his 12th goal of the season. The final score was assisted on by Sohya Yamamoto for his second assist of the match. The Tigers were only able to get off one shot in the second overtime period as CIU held on for the semifinal win.
What Coach Bill Brindley: "Extremely proud of the fight our guys have shown time and time again. A lot of teams would have given up early on in this match, but the boys took one play at a time and battled back. We have a phenomenal opportunity tomorrow, and we cannot let today's efforts go to waste."
Up Next: The Rams will face either Roberts Wesleyan (NY.) or Southwestern Christian (Okla.) tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 PM in the title match.
