Wardlaw Records 200th Career Victory

The MNU Men's Soccer team wrapped up the regular season this afternoon with a convincing 3-1 victory over Benedictine College. With the win, the Pioneers solidify a 2-seed in the upcoming HAAC Post-Season Tournament. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the 2014 NAIA National Championship Tournament.
 
Cameron Wallace got the Pioneers on the board first.  In the 8th minute of the game, Jeremie Koffi played a long ball into the area. Aurelien Norest rose the highest to flick the ball towards Wallace. He collected the pass and volleyed home from 16 yards out to make the score 1-0. Throughout the game, MNU had a majority of the possession. The Ravens were content to sit in, defend, and look to counter.  That game plan paid off in the 31st minute, when turnover by MNU in the midfield was quickly played forward into space where Kenneth Clarizio was able to beat MNU goalkeeper, Yann Passet, to even the game at 1-1. The half ended with this score line. 
 
MNU came out strong in the second half and immediately took control of the game. They did not create many good chances on goal but had the ball in the Raven area for a majority of the time. That tactic was finally rewarded in the 73rd minute when Niklas Larsson played a ball into the box and a streaking Eddie Morales was able to flick a header over the Benedictine goalkeeper for the go-ahead goal. MNU then had to absorb some pressure as the Ravens pushed for the equalizer with just minutes left. MNU's back line of Alvaro Beltran, Aurelien Norest, Adam Sportsman, and Stephane Phillipe defended well and in the 8th minute, MNU put the game away. Jelani Jillo collected a pass outside the box, beat his man and fired home a blistering strike from 20 yards out.
 
For the game, MNU outshot BC 9-5, with SOG being 3-1. Neither goalkeeper recorded a save in the game. Benedictine falls to 7-8-1 (3-4) on the year. MNU is now 12-2-2 (5-1-1) and will await the winner of the opening round game in the HAAC tournament. The tournament seeds will be released this week.
 
This afternoon's game also marked a coaching milestone for MNU Head Coach Kevin Wardlaw. With today's victory Coach Wardlaw earned his 200th career victory.  In his 12th season with the Pioneers, he has 149 wins at MNU. Before coming to MNU, Coach Wardlaw collected 51 wins in 4 seasons as the Head Coach at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Coach Wardlaw states, "I have been very blessed with teams full of incredible young men over my career thus far. There are so many players who have played a part in these victories. God has been good to me and I am very humbled when I look back at all the opportunities I have had." Coach Wardlaw's career record over 16 years as a head coach now stands at 200-91-23.