Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the 15th ranked Columbia College men's soccer team was back in action when they played host to the Central Baptist (Ark.) College Mustangs in the AMC Championship Final. The Cougars, who advanced to the finals after a 2-1 win over Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) University on Tuesday, were able to defeat the Mustangs by a final score of 2-0 to win their second straight, and eighth overall, AMC Championship.
Columbia College came out in the first half of the game and controlled the possession early in the period. The Cougars were able to create several scoring chances throughout the half but were unable to find the back of the net for the first 30 minutes of the game. Columbia College was finally able to get on the board with 10 minutes remaining in the half when they earned a free kick just outside the Mustangs box. Matija Ceraj took the kick for Columbia and was able to curve his shot around the wall formed by the Central Baptist defenders and into the back of the net for his sixth tally of the season. The Cougars were able to add one more goal in the half with less than 30 seconds left in the period when Pere Adrian Severa played a ball over the top to Aaron Noel (3) who was able to bring it down and knocked it past the Mustangs keeper to give Columbia a 2-0 lead at the halftime break.
The Cougars were able to carry over their momentum from the end of the first half into the second half and set the pace early in the period. They were able to put several shots on goal throughout the half but the Mustangs keeper was able to make multiple saves to keep the score at 2-0 Columbia. Central Baptist did their best to get back into the game as the half progressed but were unable to find the back of the net as the Cougars closed out the game to solidify their eighth AMC Championship Title.
Nicolau Neto was in goal tonight for the Cougars as the senior made three saves in his 10th solo shutout of the season.
Following the match, the American Midwest Conference announced the all-conference teams for the 2017 season. For their efforts on the field this year, Elvis Barclay, Casey Bartlett-Scott, Adam Du Toit, Matheus Lima, Michael Mayberry, and Nicolau Neto were all recognized as First Team All-AMC. In addition, the AMC also announced the superlative awards with Nicolau Neto winning the AMC Co-Newcomer of the Year award and the AMC Player of the Year.
With the win tonight, the Cougars have clinched an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round to be played on Saturday, November 18th. They will find out who and where they will play on Monday, November 13th when the NAIA announces the brackets at noon.
