Dec. 9, 2008

12.9.08 - Kissimmee, Fla. - The Mid-America Christian University (MACU) men's soccer team (8-13-1) finished the NCCAA National Tournament with a 3-2 win over Hope International University, California (HIU) (9-10-2).

With the win MACU finishes the tournament in seventh place after entering the tournament as the eighth seed. The Royals entered the tournament as the sixth seed and finished in eighth place.

The Royals scored first, in the ninth minute of play, when midfielder Karl Wise dribbled through the middle of the MACU defense and found the back of the net.

MACU evened the score in the 20th minute when defender Matt Ross was able finish his shot after the ball bounced around in the box. At 33:51 MACU junior, Bryce Jantz gave the Evangels the lead when HIU had a breakdown in their defense; Jantz dribble through the middle of the field and scored.

MACU would maintain the lead, taking the 2-1 advantage into the locker room at half time.

HIU tied the score (2-2) in the 61st minute when forward Brett McGuire netted a goal after the Evangels were unable to clear the ball out of the box.

The game winning goal came in the 64th minute when freshman Martin Maese threaded the ball through the Royals defense and Jantz ran on to it and put the ball past HIU goalkeeper, Tyler Golden.

MACU goalkeeper, Austin Custar had seven saves on 12 shots on goal while HIU goalkeeper Tyler Golden had five saves on eight shots on goal.