Mid-Continent eliminates Judson in soccer tourney

Two second half goals by No. 18 Mid-Continent was the difference in the match as MCC came from behind to defeat No. 15 Judson University 2-1 Wednesday at the NAIA national men's soccer tournament in Olathe, Kan.

Judson ends its season at 15-5-3.

Down 1-0 after the first half, Mid-Continent came out strong in the second half and tied the game in the 54th minute. Marco Neves was one-on-one with Judson goalie Neil Thompson and just slipped a shot by Thompson to tie the game. Then, just eight minutes later, MCC took a 2-1 lead when Martin Castro found the back of the net.

Judson had a couple of chances in the final five minutes to tie the match but could not get a shot on goal. With less than 30 seconds left, Judson was fouled at the top of the box but no call was made as MCC cleared the ball.

Mark Howlett put JU on the board first in the 38th minute when he stole the ball and then beat MCC's goalie to take a 1-0 lead. JU only took two shots in the first half but pressured MCC. In the 8th minute of the match, Milos Bajic had a chance to score from 15-yards out but the ball just missed the goal as the shot went right.

MCC out shot Judson 10-4 and had more fouls, 17-7. JU's Thompson finished the match with 3 saves.

Judson will have to replace a huge class in 2008 as the graduating seniors left their mark on the program. The seniors guided JU to four straight NAIA tournament appearances and won four straight CCAC regular season, CCAC tournament, and NAIA Region VII championships.

In the last four years, Judson has gone 74-14-6 with a perfect regular season in 2004.