As both the men’s and women’s soccer teams have finished their season play, they are headed to Kissimmee, Florida to play in the NCCAA regionals. Still in a transitional year to NCAA division III, neither team is allowed to compete in Empire 8 championship games.
The tournament is run like the World Cup in that there are three pools of three teams each. Seven are their respective region’s champions and two are at large bids. The top team that earns the most points from each pool will advance to the final four along with one wild card team. Three points are earned for winning, one point for tying, and no points for losing.
The women finished strong with a record of 13-3-1. They hosted Regionals against Mount Vernon Nazarene University, defeating them 2-0, to go on to Nationals. This is the eleventh consecutive year that the women’s team has headed to Florida for Nationals.
Houghton’s pool includes: Trinity Christian College and Azusa Pacific University. The other teams competing are Palm Beach Atlantic University, Lee University, Grace College, Judson University, Point Loma University and Dallas Baptist University. Houghton is the eighth seed.
“Since we have made it to the final site for Nationals in the past, we are really seeking to get past that first game in the tournament with a win,” said senior captain Amanda Zacchigna, “I’d love to see our team make it to the final four playing in our style that we have been working on mastering all season.”
Unfortunately, the women lost both pool play games. The score of the first game against the second seed, Trinity Christian College was 3-1 and 2-1 against Azusa Pacific University. They finished well with a record of 13-5-1.
“We would like to play good, quality soccer and advance to the Final Four,” said Coach David Lewis.
“The players have been working exceptionally hard since the close of the regular season. Despite very cold conditions and occasional snow they have put in some strong training sessions. The level of improvement since the onset of the season is quite evident.”
The men concluded their season against Roberts Wesleyan with a score of 2-0. Their final record was 15-2-1. They are headed to Florida to compete for the NCCAA Division I national championship.
As the fourth seed, their competition for pool play consisted of Southern Wesleyan University, to which Houghton lost 2-1, and Campbellsville University, which won with a score of 4-1, knocking Houghton out of the tournament. The other teams competing were Fresno Pacific University, Lee University, Mid-America Christian University, Judson University, Spring Arbor University, and Mississippi College.
“Goals are to play as many games as possible…and make it to the final,” said senior captain Paul Seddon, “But really to play to our full potential.”
Seddon was honored at the opening banquet with the Kyle Rote Jr. Award. He was honored for his leadership skills, academic performance, and contribution to the men’s soccer team throughout his years attending Houghton.
“I can see why old people move to Florida for retirement. It is so mild and comfortable this time of year,” said Seddon, “I couldn’t think of a better way to end my college career.”
“I am thrilled to have our season end in Florida. We did what we needed to do throughout the season to make it to this point and we’re exactly where we should be,” said Zacchigna, “We’re good enough to compete with the teams at this tournament, so anything less than making it to the final site would have been a disappointment.”