USCAA National Championship Tournament
Ultimate Soccer Arenas, Pontiac, Mi.

After a 1-1 tie in regulation play the #8 seeded Rochester College men’s soccer team defeated #1 seeded NCAA DII Columbia Union College 4-3, in the shootout at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mi.

In a test of will and skill, the Pioneers and Warriors battled through 130 minutes of regulation play, 2 overtimes and the shootout, with the Warriors advancing to the semi final round of the USCAA National Championship Tournament.

The Warriors struck first on a goal from freshman Justin Miller (Dakota) from about 30 yards out and from the left mid touchline, over the outstretched hands of the Pioneer keeper. The Warriors remained organized, thwarting the Pioneer counter attack, and blocking shots on goal. The 1st half ended with both teams exhausted and the Warriors leading 1-0.

The Pioneers came out strong in the second half but the Warriors regained their composure as the match went back and forth until the final minutes of regulation when the Pioneers were awarded a penalty kick when their attacker was taken down in the box for a foul. The Pioneers scored on the resulting penalty kick to tie the game at 1-1.

Both teams counter attacked quickly in an attempt to win the match before being forced to play overtime but regulation ended at 1-1.

The Warriors came right out in the 2 overtimes with several good scoring opportunities only to be denied by the Pioneer goal keeper. The Pioneers counter attacked quickly but were held off the board by the Warriors sophomore goal keeper Steven Jesionowski (Milford), who made 4 spectacular saves to give the Warriors a chance at victory.

With the score still tied at the end of the 2OT periods, the match would be decided on penalty kicks.

The Pioneers made their 1st, missed their next 2, and made their last 2 penalty kicks. The Warriors pulled out the victory, missing their 1st, and scoring on their next 4 on conversions by, sophomore John Wineland (Swartz Creek), senior Chris Hall (Birmingham, England), senior Billy Wineland (Swartz Creek) and sophomore Justin Sellers (Oakland Christian).

Miller, sophomore Jon Rokowski (Chippewa Valley), senior Trevor Wilson (Oakland Christian) and freshman Chris Gerhardt (Macomb Lutheran) were consistently outstanding in the game.

The Warriors now move to the semi-final round of the USCAA National Championship Tournament against #5 NHTI who defeated #4 Penn College 4-2.

The game will be played on Thursday 10/30 at 3:00pm at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mi.