The NCAA News - News Features

Grand Canyon shocks stingy Oakland defense in II soccer

Oakland's defense hadn't surrendered a goal in seven games, but host Grand Canyon found the net three times in a 3-1 victory over the Pioneers in the Division II Men's Soccer Championship game December 8.

The win was in doubt for the Antelopes until Milos Tomic, who had scored in the first half, tallied the go-ahead goal for Grand Canyon with just over six minutes left in the game. Nabyl Bekraoui added an insurance goal with under two minutes to play.

It was the first team championship in any sport for Grand Canyon, which was making its third tournament appearance. The Antelopes finished the season 12-4-5.

The tiebreaker came when Grand Canyon's Adam Martinez delivered a long ball downfield, where Tomic and Oakland's David Hall battled for possession. Tomic played the bounce past Hall just outside the box and chipped it over Oakland goalkeeper Amir Tal, who had charged out to challenge the play.

"No one knew who Grand Canyon was two years ago," Bekraoui said. "We gave a name to the school and put it on the map. We've gone from anonymous to known."

Grand Canyon came out strong in the first half, riding Tomic's goal in the 22nd minute for a 1-0 lead at the break. But Oakland tied the game when Paul Doroh's shot caromed off of Antelopes goalkeeper Freddy Haase to a waiting Paul Snape, who scored the goal.

Oakland outshot the Antelopes, 11-6, but could not convert down the stretch.

Grand Canyon advanced to the title match with a 1-0 semifinal victory over Lynn. Tomic provided the scoring when he converted a pass from Darren Clare with less than five minutes remaining in the first half. Haase made four saves for the Antelopes.

Oakland knocked off previously unbeaten and top-ranked Southern Connecticut State in its semifinal match, advancing on a Gunnar Halvorsen goal with under seven minutes left in the contest. Halvorsen, a freshman, took a pass from Snape and scored to avenge a loss to Southern Connecticut State earlier in the season.

Lynn was making its first tournament appearance. The Fighting Knights finished the season at 12-4-4. Southern Connecticut State, which won last year's title and has won four championships overall, completed a 20-1-1 campaign.

SEMIFINALS

Lynn 0 0 -- 0

Grand Canyon 1 0 -- 1

First half: GC -- Milos Tomic (Darren Clare), 40:24.

Shots: Lynn 7, Grand Canyon 7. Goalkeeper saves: Lynn (John Murray) 3, Grand Canyon (Freddy Haase) 4. Corner kicks: Lynn 8, Grand Canyon 5. Fouls: Lynn 10, Grand Canyon 14. Attendance: 758.

Southern Conn. St. 0 0 -- 0

Oakland 0 1 -- 1

Second half: O -- Gunnar Halvorsen (Paul Snape, Adam Heinemann), 83:04.

Shots: Southern Conn. St. 14, Oakland 6. Goalkeeper saves: Southern Conn. St. (Rick Koczak) 1, Oakland (Amir Tal) 7. Corner kicks: Southern Conn. St. 5, Oakland 4. Fouls: Southern Conn. St. 17, Oakland 19. Attendance: 758.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Oakland 0 1 -- 1

Grand Canyon 1 2 -- 3

First half: GC -- Milos Tomic (Nabyl Bekraoui), 22:44.

Second half: O -- Paul Snape (Paul Doroh), 56:40; GC -- Tomic (Adam Martinez), 83:45; GC -- Bekraoui (Chris Dahmen, Chris Crook), 88:27.

Shots: Oakland 11, Grand Canyon 6. Goalkeeper saves: Oakland (Amir Tal) 2, Grand Canyon (Freddy Haase) 10. Corner kicks: Oakland 6, Grand Canyon 6. Fouls: Oakland 14, Grand Canyon 12. Attendance: 1,649.