Watertown, WI - The Grace Christian University Men's Soccer team brought home a regional championship title for a second year in row, and four out of the last five. The Tigers will now head to Kissimmee, FL for the NCCAA DII Nationals. 

Although going into the Midwest Regional Tournament undefeated in regional play, Grace was given the third seed according to the NCCAA Power Rankings. On the seeding Coach Buchanan stated, "We knew this would be a possibility because of the power rankings.  Regardless of how it felt, we have always focused on controlling what we can control, which is playing whoever is in front of us. Maybe it gave the guys a little boost, to embrace an "underdog" type role, but in the end, seeding does not determine the champion. What happens on the pitch does."

Grace would face the #2 seed Great Lakes Christian College, a familiar foe whom the Tigers had already beaten in the regular season outshooting them 23 to 10 and defeated them 2-1 in October. The rematch would be an overall closer, hard fought and extremely physical battle between the two with both notching 10 shots in the contest. Grace was the only one able to find the back of the net when Moubarak Adam found the net off of a phenomenal ball played off a set piece by freshman Gabriel Lenius. "The biggest key to winning this match was our composure, our discipline. Great Lakes will put pressure on, be fast, and physical. With a group of 13 freshmen on this team, we showed a great amount of maturity and I am extremely proud of how our guys kept focused and earned a spot in the final."

Maranatha Baptist University, the #4 seed and host, would upset the #1 seed Emmaus Bible College, creating a third match vs Grace Christian University this season. The regular season matches saw the Tigers winning both with scores of 4-0 and 2-0. "I have a great amount of respect for Coach Jeff Pill and MBU. The one thing I absolutely knew was he would have them well organized, tough to break down, and believing. Playing them for a third never really factored in besides knowing a bit more about your opponent, each game is different. We needed an intense start, and to be patient if a goal didn't come quickly. The guys really grabbed a hold of the game. Our midfield trio of Berg (Elijah Berghoef), Kaiden Link, and Bailey VandenHeuvel played a fantastic match, and with experience well beyond their years as true freshmen."

Grace would start strong and control the majority of the match. Junior forward Ryan Cronkright would help break the deadlock holding off a defender, turning him and getting fouled in the box for a penalty kick in the 23rd minute. Junior captain Nate Davis would leave no doubt converting the penalty. Grace would continue to push on finding two goals in the second half, first with Cronkright again playing the role of creator, found freshman Rukundo Masengesho who hit a belter past the Sabercat keeper. The third goal came from an incredible pass from Berghoef who found a great run from Reece Erickson who fished the chance with class.  

The 3-0 Championship victory earned back to back Regional Championships for the Tigers who have now won 4 out of the last 5.  With the win, Grace punched their ticket to the NCCAA National Championships which will be held November 13th to 18th in Kissimmee, Florida.