ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's soccer team will face No. 1 Messiah College on Sunday at 6:00 PM in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The men's soccer team did their Michael Jackson “thriller” impression as they knocked off the higher seed No. 25 Salisbury University penalty shoot outs 5-4 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Knights won their conference championship last season and entered the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history for the men's soccer program. They lost to Christopher Newport College in the first round 3-0. Christopher Newport was ranked No. 4 in the country at the time of the NCAA tournament.
Neumann advanced to the second round for the first time after defeating Salisbury 5-4 in penalty kicks. The Knights have enjoyed going on the road, as they have had success in only losing two matches when travelling to the opposition this 2011 season.
The Knights resemble the likes of NC State with Jimmy Valvano's basketball team coined as the “cardiac kids”. This was in reference to their ability to keep games close and win. They would win the national championship in 1983, once again in dramatic fashion. The Knights have lived a charmed life after losing two overtime matches in the first two games of the regular season. Since that time, they have won three overtime matches, advanced in NCAA action on a penalty shootout and rallied late stage wins in four other contests.
The Knights lost seven senior starters from the 2010 season and it was thought that the 2011 season would be a rebuilding year. It is apparent that the Knights didn't receive the memo stating “rebuilding year”. It can be said that the Knights hung their hats on their team defense conceding 16 goals. Senior Joe Larkins will orchestrate the Knights backs to cope with Messiah's 67 goals they scored this season. Senior Goalkeeper Bob Mastrillo has a knack for keeping ball out of the net, with six shutouts including a shutout in the first round against Salisbury. Senior midfielder, Lee Collins will provide leadership in the midfield and senior, Andrew Leissing will give the necessary oomph up front.
The Knights advance to the second round with a 13-4-1 overall record. Messiah sports an 18-0-1 overall record. Messiah did not have to play a first round game as they were one of three teams to receive a bye in the field of 61 teams. Messiah has won seven national championships in the last 10 years.
The Neumann/Messiah winner will continue their quest for an NCAA championship by advancing next weekend.
