Central Methodist Claims Back-to-Back National Titles
IRVINE, Calif. – [Bracket | Box Score | Photo Recap] Defending National Champions battled the Cinderella team of the tournament under the stadium lights on Saturday night in Irvine, California. Central Methodist (Mo.) was awarded the red banner for the second year in a row after defeating Hastings (Neb.) 3-1. The Eagles remain undefeated in championship history with a perfect 10-0.
Central Methodist making their second trip ever to the national championship will leave once again with hardware. The Eagles are the first to be named back-to-back champions since Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) won three from 1999 to 2001.
For goalie Vince Gelei, who was named the NAIA's player of the tournament, Central Methodist's ability to repeat in such commanding fashion came down to having a concrete identity.
"We had an already-formed culture on the team," said Gelei, one of more than 10 returners who were part of securing the first national title in school history last year. "And the players who came in, they had to buy in to be a part of this family, and they did buy in."
The Eagles came out strong setting the pace early like they have all season. Scoring before their opponent for the 24th time this season. The first goal came from Senior Forward, Junior Kazeem finding the back of the net just 14 minutes in.
Kazeem goal would be just the start. The Eagles continued the pattern in the first half scoring two more goals before the buzzer. The next goal would come from Rodrigo Paredes assisted by Rian Marques. And then less than ten minutes later with Jayton Johnson to end the half.
The two Midwest institutions are mapped at just over 400 miles apart, but have not played each other since 2016.
"They're the best team in the country. (We should) see if they could jump up a division next year because they could give some Division 1 teams some trouble," said Hastings head coach Tim Bohnenkamp, who added that he was proud of the fight and resolve the Broncos showed all season, winning two games in the NAIA's Opening Round before reaching the final as an unseeded team.
Hastings beat the tournament's No. 4, No. 5 and No. 2 seeds to reach Saturday night's championship, which was broadcasted live on ESPN3.
Will Pointon scored Hastings' loan goal on a penalty kick in the 80th minute, but Gelei and the Eagles still nailed down their program-record 25th win.
2019 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship All-Tournament Team
Position | Player | Institution |
Forward | Alberto Pangrazzi | Central Methodist (Mo.) |
Forward | Lukas Goetz | Hastings (Neb.) |
Forward | Alberto Picchi | Oklahoma Wesleyan |
Forward | Joey Spotanski | Columbia (Mo.) |
Midfielder | Daniel Hernandez | Central Methodist (Mo.) |
Midfielder | Rodrigo Pardes | Central Methodist (Mo.) |
Midfielder | Callum Watson | Hastings (Neb.) |
Midfielder | Rainer De Jesus | Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
Defender | Carlos Scheckermann | Central Methodist (Mo.) |
Defender | Will Pointon | Hastings (Neb.) |
Defender | Anour Adam | Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
Defender | Charles Norman | Columbia (Mo.) |
Goalkeeper | Vince Gelei | Central Methodist (Mo.) |
Goalkeeper | David Coffey | Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
Most Outstanding Offensive | Daniel Hernandez | Central Methodist (Mo.) |
Most Outstanding Defensive | Carlos Scheckermann | Central Methodist (Mo.) |
Most Valuable | Vince Gelei | Central Methodist (Mo.) |