11.01.07 Crusaders Bow Out at Regionals

The Crusaders bowed out of the N.A.I.A. Region XIII tournament quarter-final stage with a loss at #14 Auburn University-Montgomery. The story of the match was the play of A.U.M. goalkeeper Levi Shiverdecker, who was making his first collegiate start in the goal of his career. All he did over the 90 minute match was hold WCU to one goal and picked up nine saves in the process. WCU did not sit back the entire match and tried to take advantage of Shiverdecker in his first start. They took 17 shots with nine of those being on goal. (Darrell Oland for A.U.M.) 

There was no sign of the one-sided score-line to come as the Carey men opened brightly against the #14 team in the nation. Fr. Carl Reynolds had an opportunity and the Crusaders forced a couple of early corners but it was the home team who took the early lead when Thordasson headed home from a 8th minute corner-kick. Play remained even until Arsaelson headed home a second corner-kick on 25 mins and by half-time it was 3-0 when Agustsson scored in the 40th minute to leave the Crusaders with an almost impossible second half task ahead of them.

Crusader coach Nigel Boulton said, "It was desperately disappointing to concede from the corner-kicks as we had defended them so well throughout the season. We gave ourselves an uphill task after that".

In the second period Charles Hines could have done better with a one-on-one with Shiverdecker and should have pulled the game back within reach but no sooner had he missed than it was 4-0 when Henderson nailed another for the Senators. Carey top scorer Jared Wooley did eventually pull a goal back with a super left-foot drive into the top corner but the Senators were rampant by now and finished the game out with two further goals.

After the game Coach Boulton admitted, "We were outclassed today. We produced a great late season turnaround to win the G.C.A.C. title but perhaps this was just one game too far. On another day if we had scored when we could have and defended the corners better we might have produced a result but in play-off games you only get one chance to win. Their class and quality shone in the execution of their goals. We should remain upbeat through the winter and into spring training and confident that we can go further next year. This is a young team and we are learning all the time". 

Thorsteinsson Leads AUM Soccer Into Regional Semis