Judson men win NCCAA championship

The Judson University men's soccer team claimed the program's sixth National Christian College Athletic Association national championship Saturday, defeating Indiana Wesleyan 4-3 in Kissimmee, Fla.

The title is the Eagles' first since 2002. Judson also won NCCAA championships under 26th-year coach Steve Burke in 1991, 1992, 1995 and 1997. Their six titles are an NCCAA record for men's soccer.

In Saturday's game, four different players scored for the Eagles (19-3-1).

Tom Kruse opened the scoring for Judson in the 16th minute and the Eagles carried that lead into halftime.

Gustavo Oliveira, who was named the tournament MVP, put Judson ahead 2-0 on a penalty kick in the 39th minute but over the next 17 minutes, Indiana Wesleyan (11-11-2) came back to tie the score.

Mariano Cutali gave Judson the lead on a shot in the 63rd minute and then Rafa Heck put Judson up 4-2 in the 70th minute. Indiana Wesleyan came within a goal as it scored in the 72nd minute but then Judson's defense held its own as Indiana Wesleyan played a man down due to a red card.

Judson's Alex Tyton earned the Best Defensive Player award of the tournament and Heck was also named to the all-tournament team.

Judson is now 29-9 in the NCCAA National Tournament and has won eight-straight matches that date through the 2002 and 1999 seasons. Judson has played in 13 NCCAA National Tournaments and has three runner-up finishes in addition to its six titles.