Official Great Midwest Men's Soccer Championship Page


TIFFIN, Ohio – Chronologically speaking, Tiffin was the first of five league sports to start memorable celebrations with the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship victory on Saturday, 1-0.
 
The top-seeded Dragons rose to the occasion in the final game of the conference tournament with a win over No. 3 seed and 2017 champ Ohio Valley.
 
Tiffin punched its ticket with an automatic qualifier bid to the NCAA Championship Midwest Regional. Even with a loss in the final, the Dragons’ status in the region rankings would most likely have been enough to secure an at-large selection.
 
But Tiffin left no doubt defending its lofty postseason billing. After being relatively unknown coming into its first year with the Great Midwest, Rudy Brownell’s program left a lasting impression.
 
“It felt great and this group of guys has been working hard,” Brownell said. “I’ve had some great guys here at Tiffin in 20 years and I wouldn’t trade this team of guys for anything I’ve had. With determination, working more as a team – I’m just really proud of these guys. I was happy to do it our first year here and happy for the University too.”
 
Tiffin came into the season ranked third in preseason coaches poll, more than impressive as a first-year member, but saying the Dragons surprised some people with how good the program really was is an understatement.
 
Tiffin will carry a 15-4-0 record into the postseason after adding the regular-season conference trophy to the shelves with 33 points in the standings and an 11-3-0 record in league games.
 
All it took was a goal from Ramiesh McKnight towards the tail end of the first half (Leo Hasenstab assist) while the defense hunkered down at Heidelberg College’s Hidden Valley turf complex.
 
“It feels amazing,” McKnight said afterwards. “I just want to thank my coaches, teammates for all the support this season. We worked hard for it and came up with the victory.”
 
With the clock ticking away, Tiffin streamed on to the field to celebrate. The oustanding postseason run will continue into regional play, where the Dragons have a chance to match or best OVU's unprecedented Sweet 16 run for the conference a year ago.
 
Tiffin advanced into the championship game after coming back to survive an upset scare against No. 5 seed Lake Erie in the quarterfinals.
 
The Fighting Scots held a considerable advantage in the shot department, 17-6, but Great Midwest Defensive Player of the Year Kangni Gabianou and company, stood tall while rookie goalkeeper Dylan Morris made four saves on the biggest stage.
 
OVU was a top-10 team for the majority of the season, but now puts its extended postseason fate into the hands of the national committee hoping for an at-large selection into the national tourney. The Fighting Scots were able to win their semifinal clash against No. 2 seed Cedarville on Thursday.
 
The NCAA Selection Show will be aired on Monday evening at 6 p.m. ET.