Westminster Men's Soccer NCAA Tournament Bound for Third Consecutive Year
The Westminster College men's soccer team is heading back to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year after winning the 2015 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Tournament. The Westminster Blue Jays defeated Webster University 2-1 in the championship match, naming them the SLIAC Tournament Champions for their third straight year.
The three goals of the game all came within the first 20 minutes of play. The Blue Jays scored first with an unassisted goal by junior Josh Jaycox in the 9th minute. He dribbled up and placed the shot into the middle of the net to take the 1-0 lead.
Just five minutes later, Webster knotted the game at 1-1 with a low left corner goal off a cross.
Junior Drew Cook placed the ball in the high middle part of the goal just five minutes later in the 20th minute with sophomore Daniel Barone's cross.
The Blue Jays took a penalty kick for the chance to take the 3-1 lead in the 33rd minute, but Webster's goalkeeper was able to stop the shot.
Just 1:26 into the second half, Webster had their turn with a penalty kick. Webster went for a low corner shot, but freshman goalkeeper Tanner Moesch punched the ball out, stopping Webster's chance at tying the game up.
Westminster outshot Webster 18-7 in the second half with four shots-on-goal, but they were unable to connect. Webster was able to get off three shots-on-goal, but Moesch made the stops to give the Blue Jays the 2-1 conference tournament win sending them back to the NCAA Tournament.
Moesch (3-0) earned the win in goal with five saves in the 90 minutes.
Following the game, the SLIAC announced the All-Tournament Team and the Tournament MVP. Jaycox was named the SLIAC Tournament MVP after being a major contributor to the attack. He scored two goals to help aid in the 2-0 tournament play. Barone, Moesch and sophomore Austin Chandler each were named to the SLIAC All-Tournament Team for their performances in the tournament wins.
Westminster will find out their first round location and date of the NCAA Tournament during the Selection Show on Monday, November 9, at 1:30 pm EST.
STORY COURTESY OF WESTMINSTER COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE
