General 11/20/2023 1:00:00 PM Braden Mottor

The Champs Have Returned

Game Recap:
After a Friday win to enter the National Championship game, the Eagles wanted to rewrite the ending of their 0-0 tie against Boyce College on September 30^th, and ultimately win the 2023 National Title. With a hot start, the Eagles did just that with a 2-1 National Championship victory!

This match got off to a hot start with both teams getting early offensive chances inside the first 8 minutes of the match. But after a corner kick was caught by goalkeeper Bryce Hammond, the Eagles were quick to counter. From just outside his own penalty box, Matias Lee sent a long through ball just over the Bulldogs defensive backline. Running onto the ball was Second Team All-Region striker Lourenco Goncalves. As Lourenco pursued the ball, realizing no one was going to catch him, Lourenco put a finessed, composed finish just past the outstretched Boyce goalkeeper and netted the Eagles' first goal of the match in the 8^th minute! After only three minutes elapsed before the Eagles struck again. Freshman Eric Romero sent a sideline through ball to the South Region Player of the Year Niwe Mugeni. As Mugeni touched the ball around the sliding Boyce defender, he turned the corner and found Goncalves wide open. With a beautiful pass right to his foot, Goncalves finessed yet another goal just inside the left post once again just out of the Boyce keeper's reach. The Eagles now claimed a confident 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes of this championship match.

Less than one minute later the Bulldogs quickly got on the scoreboard. Off a corner kick that deflected off an Eagle defender, the Bulldogs' goal was an unfortunate own goal caused by the Eagles. With a 2-1 lead the Eagles entered the halftime break with just 45 minutes between them and their third National Title. As the 2^nd half got underway, and Boyce attempted to tie the match the Eagles remained composed and dominant on the possession and attacking side of the ball. Outshooting the Bulldogs 13-6 during the match with 6 shots on goal, the Eagles were in control most of the match. As the minutes got slower and seconds got longer the Eagles could feel the trophy in their hands! As Boyce committed a last-second foul, the Eagles watched the clock tick down to 0:00 and heard the final whistle of their 2023 season! With a 2-1 victory over Boyce College, the Eagles reclaimed their throne as the Men's Soccer National Champions!

After the tournament, the awards presentation showed just how dominant the Eagles were in the National Tournament. Receiving All-Tournament Team honors were sophomore striker Reid Rhodes, junior midfielder Dakotah Barchus, junior striker Lourenco Goncalves, and the 2023 National Tournament Most Outstanding Player, senior striker Niwe Mugeni.

What's Next:
If you would like to keep up with the Eagles' off-season, follow @eaglespccmsoc on Instagram. For complete coverage of all PCC Eagles teams, events, and schedules, follow @eaglespcc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Players Mentioned

#1 Bryce Hammond: GK; 6' 0"; Junior

#3 Niwe Mugeni: F; 5' 10"; Junior

#9 Lourenco Goncalves: F; 6' 2"; Junior

#11 Eric Romero: MF; 5' 10"; Freshman

#16 Reid Rhodes: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#17 Matias Lee: D; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#22 Dakotah Barchus: MF; 6' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Bryce Hammond
: 6' 0"; Junior
: GK

#3 Niwe Mugeni
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F

#9 Lourenco Goncalves
: 6' 2"; Junior
: F

#11 Eric Romero
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: MF

#16 Reid Rhodes
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F

#17 Matias Lee
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: D

#22 Dakotah Barchus
: 6' 3"; Junior
: MF