Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the Columbia College men's soccer team took on Lyon (Ark.) College in the AMC Championship Final. The Cougars were able to defeat the Scots by a final score of 2-0 to claim the AMC Tournament Championship and a spot in the NAIA National Tournament.
The Cougars have been playing great soccer in their last few games and are coming in off of a huge 4-2 victory over Lindenwood University-Belleville on Tuesday night. Columbia College found themselves down heading into the second half but scored three second half goals including a game winner from
Juan Pablo Agredo to keep their season alive.
The Cougars looked to carry over that momentum into tonight's game and were able to just that as they jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after a goal from
Dan Reilly. The goal came after the Cougars were able to earn themselves a corner kick after working the ball deep into the Scots half.
Zachary Felz took the corner for Columbia College and played a long ball across the box finding
Nick Horne who was able to head the ball back across the box.
Dan Reilly was in the right place at the right time and knocked in Horne's cross for his second goal of the season.
The Cougar lead stood through halftime as they were able to play great defense in the first half not allowing the Scots to take advantage of any of their scoring opportunities. Columbia College had eight shots in the half including three on target.
Iain McTurk had a huge first half as the AMC Defensive Player of the Week was able to save all six shots he faced.
The Scots came out in the second half looking to get back into the game but the Cougars defense stood strong not allowing Lyon College to create any dangerous scoring opportunities. Columbia College was able to pick up one more goal to solidify their spot in the National Tournament as
Dan Reilly made a long run down the left sideline before cutting it back and finding
Carter Cox in the middle of the box who calmly buried his shot for his second goal of the season.
Iain McTurk was in goal for the Cougars tonight recording eight saves in the contest. The shutout tonight marks the fifth solo shutout for the senior goalkeeper on the season and the Cougars seventh overall.
Following tonight's championship game, the American Midwest Conference named 20 student athletes to their Men's Soccer First-Team All-Conference Team, including five selections from Columbia College.
Matija Ceraj,
Mitchell Conning,
Edin Campara, and
Zachary Felz, who was also named to the Champions of Character Team, were selected as First Team All-AMC members. Additionally,
Pere Adrian Servera was named to the Honorable Mention All-AMC Team.
The Cougars will find out who and where they will play in the first round of the National Tournament on Monday, November 11
th when the NAIA announces the tournament brackets at 12 p.m. The first round of the tournament will be held on Saturday, November 19
th.
